Technical Specialist
“My mind is never at rest when it comes to solving issues and solving problems.”
Contact Information:
Northern Illinois University
Chick Evans Field House
1050 Lucinda Avenue, Room 223
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: 630-880-7433
Fax: 815-753-7433
Email: kwunderlich@imec.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethrwunderlich
About:
I believe that everyone has a toolbox of skills, and it’s these abilities that make people successful. As a Technical Specialist at IMEC, I strive to create or expand the toolboxes of Illinois manufacturers and the Leadership Team. By expanding their toolbox with new skills and systems I intend to positively influence their future achievements.
I work alongside various companies in Illinois, providing technical assistance to manufacturers and service oriented firms through consulting and training. I also implement solutions to help companies improve their organization overall. Utilizing my experience in various fields, including medical device, automotive, and consumer manufacturers, I can objectively review and assist clients with continuous improvement efforts related to quality management systems and process. This allows me to facilitate improvement in heavily regulated environments.
With more than 22 years of experience in both manufacturing and product design, I have acquired a diverse set of skills in various manufacturing arenas. My experience ranges from medical devices, automotive products, food packaging, consumer products, maintaining ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, and 21CFR regulations, certifications for medical devices, and more. My primary skill set lies within process development, improvement, and organization. I have seen a variety of processes from the perspective of both supplier and customer, which has provided a unique addition to my toolbox – diplomacy. Finding a solution is my goal. Let me find your solution.
Expertise
- HAACP Certified
- Certified Auditor for ISO 13485:2003 and ISO 9001:2015
- Certified Auditor for IATF 16949:2016
- Certified Auditor for AS9100:2016
- Six Sigma Green Belt (Certified ASQ)
- Risk Management
Specialized Skills
- Quality Auditing Systems and Controls
- Process Development, Improvement, and Optimization
- Master’s Degree in Industrial Management from Northern Illinois University
- Master’s Degree in Information Systems from DePaul University
Results
Certifying a quality management system to any standard takes initiative, time, and effort. Previously, I worked with a manufacturer in the Chicagoland area that had received a significant amount of findings during their previous audit for TS 16949. In order to meet the requirements for the transition to the new IATF 16949 standard they needed to correct all of the previous issues, as well as create new systems in compliance with the new standard. Along with this, the manufacturer had leadership and resource challenges to address regarding support of the business quality management system. Working together hand in hand, we were able to correct the previously inefficient and non-compliant systems as well as create a program that exceeded minimal requirements mandated by the standard. They received a certification in 2018 to the IATF 16949 standard, were able to increase sales by $4 million as well as retain existing sales, invest in new Information Systems, retain employees, and kick-start the improvement process for continual improvement. This is what we do at IMEC, we partner with you.