MINITAB and SAP
Jorge Luis De La Cruz García
Senior Quality & Continuous Improvement Engineer
Guanajuato,GUA
Summary
Senior Quality & Continuous Improvement Engineer with 10 years of experience in automotive, advanced manufacturing, and industrial sectors. Proven expertise in IATF 16949 quality systems, Automotive Core Tools, supplier quality management, and customer quality support for OEM programs. Strong background leading regional quality initiatives, supplier development, and operational improvement projects that reduce defects, improve process capability, and increase customer satisfaction. Experienced working in Tier-1 automotive environments supporting GM programs and leading cross-functional teams to achieve operational excellence.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Senior Quality Engineer
Webasto Sunroof System – Automotive Tier-1-Manufacturing
08.2025 - Current
- Lead operational quality activities supporting high-volume automotive production lines.
- Manage customer quality requirements for GM programs using SQMS, SPPS, SCMS and SCDB portals.
- Apply Automotive Core Tools including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans and Process Flow Diagrams.
- Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions using 8D methodology.
- Support internal audit programs aligned with IATF 16949, LPA and CQI-15.
- Manage KPC/KCC characteristics ensuring compliance with blueprint specifications and GD&T.
- Monitor operational quality KPIs including PPM, scrap, defects and first-pass yield.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction and process stability.
- Utilize SAP, Minitab, Microsoft Office and MLEAN for quality data analysis and reporting.
- Reduction of 70% customer complaints through the implementation of the prevention program (Poka-yokes, PFMA, detection).
Regional Quality & Continuous Improvement Lead
Caterpillar Inc
05.2023 - 05.2025
- Regional quality representative supporting operations in Mexico, United State, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.
- Led customer quality support, warranty investigations and corrective actions across multiple service facilities.
- Directed ISO certification and recertification audits including DNV ISO 9001 compliance.
- Direct ONAC certification (ISO 17020) in Colombia Location.
- Implemented regional KPI dashboards including CTQ, COPQ, warranty cost and customer satisfaction metrics.
- Reduced 85% of customer claims generating approximately $100K USD annual savings.
- Reduced calibration and workshop operational expenses by 28% through process optimization.
- Supported regional service growth of 23% through quality improvement initiatives.
Supplier Quality Engineer
Panduit Manufacturing
01.2022 - 05.2023
- Led supplier quality development and qualification programs ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 standards.
- Managed supplier APQP processes including PPAP approval, PFMEA review, Control Plans and Process Flow Diagrams.
- Conducted supplier audits and performance evaluations to identify process improvement opportunities.
- Implemented SPC and process capability analysis (Cp/Cpk) to improve supplier manufacturing stability.
- Led supplier corrective actions using 8D methodology coordinating cross-functional teams.
- Reduced supplier-related scrap by 50% through supplier corrective action programs.
- Implemented supplier performance scorecards tracking KPIs such as PPM, defects and delivery performance.
- Reduced quarantine inventory from $220K to $5K through containment and supplier improvement initiatives.
Quality Engineer – Machining Operations
Hyundai WIA – Automotive Manufacturing
11.2019 - 01.2022
- Led quality assurance activities in precision machining operations supporting automotive OEM programs.
- Implemented SPC and process capability monitoring to improve machining process stability (CP&CPK)
- MSA, PPAP, GD&T
- Reduced non-conforming product rate from 10,500 PPM to 4,000 PPM through data-driven improvements.
- Supported APQP activities including PFMEA review, Control Plans and production readiness validation.
- Led problem solving using 8D methodology addressing internal and customer quality issues.
- Conducted Layered Process Audits (LPA) and internal audits aligned with IATF 16949.
- Improved customer satisfaction from 78% to 93% through proactive quality improvement initiatives.
Quality Engineer
ALPLA México
07.2016 - 01.2019
- Led statistical process control initiatives for PET packaging production.
- Reduced defects from 800 PPM to 60 PPM through process optimization and quality controls.
- Improved customer satisfaction from 75% to 90%.
- Support during ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and ISO 14001 certification.
Education
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt - Manufacturing Engineering
Tecnológico De Monterrey
Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico 05.2001 -
Process Engineer - Industrial Processes
Universidad Tecnológica Campus Tabasco
Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico04-2016
Internal Auditor ISO 9001:2015 - Manufacturing Engineering
Caterpillar
Fort Worth, Texas 05.2001 -
Skills
Automotive Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA)
IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 Quality Systems
Customer Quality Management – GM Supplier Requirements
Supplier Quality Development & Audits
Problem Solving (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa)
Continuous Improvement / Lean Six Sigma
KPI Management (PPM, Scrap, FPY, COPQ)
Software
Certification
Internal Auditor ISO 9001:2015
Timeline
Senior Quality Engineer
Webasto Sunroof System – Automotive Tier-1-Manufacturing
08.2025 - Current
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
03-2025
Internal Auditor ISO 9001:2015
11-2023
Regional Quality & Continuous Improvement Lead
Caterpillar Inc
05.2023 - 05.2025
Supplier Quality Engineer
Panduit Manufacturing
01.2022 - 05.2023
IATF 16949 Core Tools Training
07-2021
Quality Engineer – Machining Operations
Hyundai WIA – Automotive Manufacturing
11.2019 - 01.2022
Quality Engineer
ALPLA México
07.2016 - 01.2019
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt - Manufacturing Engineering
Tecnológico De Monterrey
05.2001 -
Internal Auditor ISO 9001:2015 - Manufacturing Engineering
Caterpillar
05.2001 -
Process Engineer - Industrial Processes
Universidad Tecnológica Campus Tabasco
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Valid Passport
- Valid US Visa
- Availability for international travel