SUNIL TARAS
Kiwale
Summary
Established Automotive Leader experienced in Plant Operations and Quality Management. Achieved significant improvements in operational performance and customer satisfaction through innovative strategies and effective team leadership. Focused on enhancing quality standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Overview
1
1
Certification
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy General Manager
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
Pune
01.2020 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations, coordinating with department heads to optimise productivity.
- Directed daily operations, flexing with changing demands to meet objectives.
- Led a team of 50+ employees to foster teamwork and improvement culture.
- Implemented strategic plans aligned to corporate objectives, improving operational efficiency significantly.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes to reduce costs.
- Coached teams to consistently improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Worked with senior management to create development strategies for improved profit levels.
- Monitored staff performance and built improvement plans for individuals.
- Supported morale and well-being through career development and job satisfaction practices.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Coordinated cross-departmental projects to complete deliverables within budget limits.
- Negotiated labour agreements with unions to prevent work stoppages.
- Reduced customer complaints by 30% within 1 year through assurance initiatives.
- Ensured quality standards and regulatory compliance were upheld throughout daily operations.
- Co-led QM team as deputy to the plant quality head.
- Led blue and yellow initiatives across plant functions daily.
- Coordinated CKD network tasks to enhance quality management and support compliance.
- Managed in-process controls for incoming supplier quality and final inspections.
- Owned customer end quality checks, new product quality, and calibration activities.
- Completed homologation checks for installation and related quality documentation.
- Contributed to quality planning for plant product and process quality goals.
- Handled Q-release activities and supported Q impact audit readiness.
- Coordinated plant product and process quality improvements day-to-day.
- Maintained financial target knowledge and internal strategy alignment.
- Cultivated accountability and continuous improvement through positive working practices.
Quality Leader (Acting General Manager)
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
Vietnam
11.2018 - 12.2019
- Successfully achieved best figures in MB Vietnam with >70% improvement in Quality KPIs
- Established MB Vietnam as No. 1 in VoCA in CKD world
- Delivered 50% Zero Defect Cars in VoCA for first time in history of MB Vietnam
- Drove multiple projects like Zero Defect Mindset, Voca Best Worldwide, Red Table Optimization, & COP Process Standardization
- Coordinated VDA 6.3, IATF 16949, ISO 14000, Government, Surveillance, and Vehicle Regulation Audits for Plant and Supplier, ensuring zero nonconformities
- Collaborated with MB Vietnam Operations Strategic Team to establish quality targets and KPIs for 2019 and 2020
- Headed QM Department of MB Vietnam and took lead in customer complaint analysis in coordination with Aftersales
- Played a key role in setting-up new product (MoPF GLC)
- Optimised Red table process, achieving 30% efficiency gain
Supplier Quality Manager
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
09.2016 - 10.2018
- Led Supplier Quality Management and continuous improvement activities for department, ensuring compliance and quality standards
- Steered new supplier development and conducted VDA6.3 audits, enhancing supplier quality assurance processes
- Developed Supplier Quality with 90% rating in supplier performance
- Optimized incoming inspection for all suppliers by saving 4 people out of 6 people with zero inventory and direct feeding concept implemented
- Supported potential supplier audit for AMG product, contributing to supplier evaluation and selection process
- Succeeded in New Engine Release at M/S FML and New Product start up – GLA,CLA,X253
- Played a key role in Green Q-Release for GLA,CLA and X253
- Completed Process Optimization Project of supply chain with 17% optimization in timeline
Quality Manager-Assembly
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
04.2015 - 08.2016
- Managed team of 3 white collar staff and 34 operators, leading quality management for production assembly line and final inspection to uphold quality standards.
- Led CS2 activity, overseeing inline and Q gate inspections, ensuring adherence to quality standards and minimising defects.
- Ensured successful Green Q-Release for S-Class and C-class.
- Attended Surveillandce Audit an scored 10/10
- Contributed to V213 project team for product development tailored to Indian market, enhancing market readiness.
Quality Manager-Body Shop & Paint Shop (CS2 & CS3)
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
01.2014 - 03.2015
- Managed team of 2 white collar and 18 operators to achieve best quality figures in body shop
- Conducted surveillance audit, attaining perfect score of 10/10 to uphold quality assurance standards
- Facilitated Green Q-Release process, ensuring compliance and quality standards for GL
Quality Manager-Body Shop, Paint Shop & Assembly Line
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
03.2008 - 12.2013
- Established Q-Concept CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, implementing Q-Stations and Q-Gates at MB India to enhance quality control
- Led team of 2 white collar and 16 operators, overseeing quality management functions across CS2 body shop, CS2 assembly line, final inspection, CS3 body shop, CS3 paint shop, CS3 assembly line, and CS4
- Facilitated new product startup for C-Class, E-Class, M-Class, and S-Class within Q-Workpackage, ensuring adherence to quality standards
- Steered efforts in ensuring successful release of Green Plant, and Green Paint Shop
- Successfully attended Surveillance Audit with nil deviations
Production Manager-Paint Shop Operations
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
04.2006 - 02.2008
- Led MB team in Tata Motors Paint Shop for MB vehicles and delivered best product quality from Tata Motors Paint Shop
- Focused on improving output and quality of MB cars, achieving optimal production standards
- Implemented strategies that improved operational efficiency in paint shop processes
- Demonstrated expertise in the Mercedes painting process
- Supported team development through motivational initiatives and training
- Managed discussions on technical topics with team
Production Manager - Finish Line & End of Line
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
03.1996 - 03.2006
- Leading production team of Finish Line and end of Line
- Optimised Finish Line layout by reducing 2 stations, resulting in improved operational efficiency.
- Assisted in optimising assembly line operations for increased efficiency.
- Driving efficiency program
- Led cost optimisation project to identify and implement strategies for reducing expenses.
- Promoted inbuilt quality by implementing strict quality control measures.
- Strengthened workforce capabilities through targeted development initiatives that enhanced team skills and productivity.
- Contributed in successful startup for new products
- Co-creating and building on Mercedes Brand
- Building technical expertise in Mercedes Benz production process
- Technically sound in Assembly process
Section Manager-Paint Shop
Bajaj Auto Ltd.
Aurangabad
09.1995 - 02.1996
- Led paint shop team, ensuring adherence to process parameters and specifications for consistent quality
- Identified faults and assessed cost of quality using quality tools, driving continuous improvement in products and operations
- Implemented feedback system for assembly, bodyshop and paintshop, enhancing communication from internal and external customers
Education
Executive MBA -
Narsee Monjee Institute
MumbaiMasters in Computer Management -
Pune University
PuneBE (Industrial Engineering) -
Indian Institute of Industrial Engineering
MumbaiDiploma in Computer Management -
Pune University
PuneDiploma in Surface Coating Technology -
Skills
- Quality management
- Quality assurance practices
- Supplier quality management
- Supplier management
- Audits and inspections
- Regulatory compliance
- Process optimization skills
- New product introduction
- Project management proficiency
- Data analysis capabilities
- Performance metrics optimisation
- Operational management
- Strategic planning expertise
- Analytical innovation
- Decision-making and leadership
- Leadership experience
- Transformational leadership
- Strategic collaboration
- International operations
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Talent development strategies
- Team building initiatives
- Complaint resolution
- Problem-solving techniques
- Quality control measures
- Complaint resolution
Certification
- Certified Auditor for ISO 9000, ISO 14000 & OHSAS 18000
- Internal Auditor for IATF 16949
- Certified Auditor VDA 6.3 Module E
Accomplishments
- Successfully Lead as a Quality Head of MB Vietnam
- Achieved number 1st position across CKD from 4th position with sustainable actions
- Lead production, Engineering, Log and QM team to achieve 60% cars in VoCA with zero defect
- Developed team and promoted 3 staff to various levels
- Successfully Lead a Yellow + Blue initiative at Plant with cross functional approach
- Build Quality
- Q-Xceed
- GO Zero
- My Car Emotion
- Luxe Tech initiative
- Q-Mindset
- Successfully implemented Sustainable Process Audit
- After Red result of E-Class task was given to have short term solution and Long term Solution
- Small task force for immediate result of V177C & H247 which was green release
- Long term solution Sustainable process Audit
- Successfully Lead a project of optimizing Supplier Quality check and improving supplier performance project of 14 months
- Performance of supplier improved from 65% to 93%
- Receiving inspection stopped by shifting 6 people to production which was financial benefit to the organisation
- Line stoppage was minimized to zero
- Successfully Lead CFT a product, process and plant release process (Q-Release) since 2008
- 90% success rate
- Lead task force team
- Lead project of High performance culture
- Lead CFT team to bring high performance culture in the organisation
- Appreciated by Management during emergency of TML paint shop fire
- Came with contingency plan working with TML colleagues with various option
- Successfully handled the situation and deliver painted cabs without impacting production
Languages
English
Hindi
Marathi
German (A1)
Custom
- Completed introductory courses in German language and complete level A1
- Fitness freak
- Swimming
- Cooking
- Reading
- Singing
Interests
- Singing
- Connecting with people
- Travelling
- Cricket
Timeline
Deputy General Manager
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
01.2020 - Current
Quality Leader (Acting General Manager)
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
11.2018 - 12.2019
Supplier Quality Manager
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
09.2016 - 10.2018
Quality Manager-Assembly
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
04.2015 - 08.2016
Quality Manager-Body Shop & Paint Shop (CS2 & CS3)
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
01.2014 - 03.2015
Quality Manager-Body Shop, Paint Shop & Assembly Line
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
03.2008 - 12.2013
Production Manager-Paint Shop Operations
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
04.2006 - 02.2008
Production Manager - Finish Line & End of Line
Mercedes Benz (MB) India Pvt. Ltd.
03.1996 - 03.2006
Section Manager-Paint Shop
Bajaj Auto Ltd.
09.1995 - 02.1996
Executive MBA -
Narsee Monjee Institute
Masters in Computer Management -
Pune University
BE (Industrial Engineering) -
Indian Institute of Industrial Engineering
Diploma in Computer Management -
Pune University