Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

JEFF HEBESTREIT

Asheville

Summary

Results-oriented Quality Professional with 20+ years of experience leading global quality organizations for Tier 1 automotive suppliers. Proven track record in reducing Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) by up to 30% through Lean Six Sigma methodologies and robust Quality Systems design and compliance. Expert in navigating complex OEM relationships (DTNA, Paccar, Oshkosh Defense, Mack Defense, etc) and scaling quality systems for atypical processes and products.

Work History

Quality Director / Linehaul & Industrial Manufacturing Plants

Meritor/Cummins Inc.
Asheville
2022 - 2025
  • These plants covered both manufacturing and assembly operations.
  • Led a global team of 80+ quality professionals across 7 manufacturing sites, overseeing a $500M annual revenue portfolio of various powertrain (some safety-critical) assemblies.
  • Launch Excellence: Achieved 100% "Green" launch status for 11 major OEM programs, ensuring flawless PPAP submissions and zero-defect delivery.
  • COPQ Reduction: Slashed Cost of Poor Quality by ~30% in just under 18 months by implementing a logical and comprehensive QMS.
  • Audit Performance: Maintained 100% certification rate for IATF 16949 across all plants; reduced major audit findings by ~65%
  • Strategic Transformation: Spearheaded the transition from paper-based tracking to an integrated Enterprise Quality Management System (EQMS), improving data traceability by 40%.
  • Team Mentoring: Promoted 7 quality professionals into management roles. This coaching and mentoring is key in supporting long-term success.

Regional Quality Manager / Manufacturing Plants

Meritor
Asheville
2018 - 2022
  • Managed manufacturing and customer quality at Forest City and Fletcher NC plants, overseeing both operations and ensuring high standards across all processes.
  • Led a team of ~40 quality professionals across both plants that were able to achieve a
  • Improved QMS to reduce reliance on assembly operators, implementing enhanced assembly aids like co-bots to foster a culture of efficiency and smarter work practices.

Quality Manager / Manufacturing Plant

Meritor
Forest City
2015 - 2018
  • Customer Liaison: Acted as primary contact for OEM quality audits, achieving "Top Tier" supplier ratings from Paccar and DTNA.
  • Supplier Recovery: Turned around 18 underperforming suppliers, reducing PPM from >3000 to
  • Warranty Management: Decreased warranty claims by 18% through cross-functional Deep Dive initiative on field-returns.

Operations Manager

Meritor
Morristown
2012 - 2015
  • Managed all forging and machining manufacturing across three shifts with ~350 employees.
  • Produced ~30k powertrain components daily, maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.
  • Led COPQ teams to reduce forging scrap by 60%, leveraging a robust QMS and accurate SWIs.

Quality Engineer / Manufacturing Plant

Meritor
Asheville
2006 - 2012
  • Focused on heavy metal fabrication and differential assembly operations to enhance production quality.
  • Managed day-to-day QMS operations, overseeing auditing, COPQ leadership, Green Belt Projects, process improvement events, team member coaching, certifications, and customer relations.
  • Conducted quality inspections on production components and assemblies.
  • Developed and implemented quality control plans for manufacturing processes.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues effectively.

Corporate Quality Engineer / WHQ

Meritor
Troy
2002 - 2006
  • Conducted quality audits for manufacturing plants and customers, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring adherence to quality standards.
  • Established cohesiveness in QMS controls and customer-specific requirements through collaboration with plant teams, improving alignment and accountability.
  • Developed and implemented linkages and controls between corporate and plant systems, enhancing compliance and operational consistency.

DESIGN SUPERVISOR ADVANCED PRODUCTS

Dana
Fort Wayne
1995 - 2002

CHASSIS/POWERTRAIN PRODUCT DESIGNER

Ford
Dearborn
1992 - 1995

Education

Mechanical Engineering

LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
01-1994

Mechanical Engineering

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
01-1993

General Studies/ME

HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
01-1992

Skills

  • STANDARDS: IATF 16949:2016 Certified Lead Auditor, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Quality Systems Management
  • CORE TOOLS: APQP, PPAP, FMEA (AIAG), MSA, SPC, Operational Excellence,
  • Regulatory compliance
  • PROBLEM SOLVING: 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa, Six Sigma Green Belt, Is/Is-Not, Differences & Changes, Customer Relationship Management, Cross-Functional Collaborations
  • STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: Inclusive Site Leadership, Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE/SD), Customer Relations (both internal and external), Team Coaching and Mentoring, Strategic Planning

Affiliations

  • Board of Director Member
    United Way of Hamblen County TN
    Feb 2012 - July 2016
  • Board of Director Member
    Girls Incorporated of Hamblen County TN
    2016 President Elect - Promoted and Left the Area
    April 2013 - July 2016

Timeline

Quality Director / Linehaul & Industrial Manufacturing Plants

Meritor/Cummins Inc.
2022 - 2025

Regional Quality Manager / Manufacturing Plants

Meritor
2018 - 2022

Quality Manager / Manufacturing Plant

Meritor
2015 - 2018

Operations Manager

Meritor
2012 - 2015

Quality Engineer / Manufacturing Plant

Meritor
2006 - 2012

Corporate Quality Engineer / WHQ

Meritor
2002 - 2006

DESIGN SUPERVISOR ADVANCED PRODUCTS

Dana
1995 - 2002

CHASSIS/POWERTRAIN PRODUCT DESIGNER

Ford
1992 - 1995

Mechanical Engineering

LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Mechanical Engineering

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

General Studies/ME

HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
JEFF HEBESTREIT