James Chu Sheng Tian
Program Manager, NPI Manager, Manufacturing Manager,
Singapore
Summary
I am a results-driven Program and Supply Chain Manager with over 20 years of experience across multinational corporations (MNCs) and startups. I specialize in enabling products from proof of concept (POC) to mass production, driving New Product Introduction (NPI), and optimizing supply chain and manufacturing processes. My expertise has led to the successful management of 30+ product life cycles, achieving over $50 million in cost savings, reducing time-to-market by 20%, and improving operational efficiency by up to 30%. I am passionate about transforming challenges into opportunities by leveraging my leadership in supplier development, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. My extensive experience spans Asia's manufacturing ecosystems, ensuring seamless integration of quality, efficiency, and innovation to meet ambitious production goals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Product Development & Improvement Manager
YSQ-International Pte Ltd
Singapore
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Managed project timelines, ensuring 100% on-time delivery of products by coordinating with subcontracting factories, logistics, external suppliers, and stakeholders to guarantee quality before mass production
- Led NPI and product transfers within scope, schedule, and budget, enable 10+ electronic devices meet product launch date
- Spearheaded cross-functional collaboration for NPI, resulting in a 20% reduction in time-to-market and ensuring seamless transition from development to mass production
- Ensure operational readiness to support development builds, trial manufacturing builds, and initial mass production
- Conduct reviews, establish New SOP and standardization
- Leveraged Lean/Six Sigma to implement process improvements, achieving a 15% reduction in manufacturing costs and boosting efficiency by 10%
- Promote Design for Manufacturability (DFM) on new products with R&D and Operations to improve first pass yield at product launches
- Collaborate with PMO and R&D to develop initial product cost estimates and monitor costs throughout the development phase, lead cost reduction initiatives
- Ensured strict adherence to quality standards and regulatory compliance, contributing to a 100% audit success rate
- Aligned sales and marketing strategies, driving a 10% increase in product visibility and improving brand positioning in the market
- Managed performance metrics to track progress and identify areas of opportunity for further improvements.
NPI Manager, Mfg Eng. Manager, Program Manager
Memjet Singapore Pte Limited
05.2011 - 10.2023
- Spearheaded the comprehensive New Product Introduction (NPI) Launch plan for operations, driving 100% adherence to the Plan of Record (POR) timelines
- Defined key manufacturing and product Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for management review, initiating operational post-mortems, and executing post-launch NPI Executive Reporting for process improvements identification
- Process efficiency improved by 30%
- Led process re-engineering initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional teams, streamlining operations and consistently achieving project milestones
- Build strong working relationships with Product Development Engineering, Research & Development, Sourcing, Supplier Quality, Industrialization Planning, Component Engineering, Business Unit Management, Operations Management, Marketing and Finance
- Streamlined existing processes and developed new methodologies, resulting in a 25% boost in operational efficiency by implementing effective change management strategies that enhanced workflow and resource allocation
- Defined product specifications and quality assurance standards for contract manufacturers, leading to a significant increase in production yield from 50% to 98% and a 50% reduction in defects, ensuring higher operational efficiency and product reliability
- Established and communicated production reporting processes, performance objectives, and results
- Evaluated Material Review Board (MRB) processes for non-conforming materials disposition
- Lead efforts to enhance the NPI sourcing process by eliminating variations and waste, with a primary focus on fostering continuous process improvement
- Advocate for the implementation of the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology within the NPI team to optimize efficiency and quality standards
- Drove supplier performance improvements, leading to a 50% reduction in defects and increased on-time delivery rates by 15% through effective supplier monitoring and evaluation
- Implemented scorecards ensuring compliance with cost, quality, and delivery standards
- Identified key suppliers that enhanced growth and mitigated supply chain risks
- Led initiatives that improved production efficiency and reliability
- Conducted supplier capability assessments and implemented supplier scorecards, ensuring compliance with company goals
- Identifying potential risks such as market volatility, regulatory changes, and supply chain disruptions, and implementing contingency plans to mitigate them
- Collaborated with suppliers to resolve product, process, and Bill of Materials (BOM) issues, implementing inspection process improvements and mistake-proofing measures
- Improve parts delivery by 20%
- Collaborated with the Customer Satisfaction and Quality Team, leading to a 25% reduction in field failures by implementing robust service and support strategies
- Showcased strong leadership abilities, providing coaching, mentorship, and guidance to peers and partner teams
- Led cross-functional teams in project management, sustaining engineering, product solutions, and supplier quality, driving product strategies, objectives, and roadmaps
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Spearheaded transition to remote work during global health crisis, ensuring business continuity and employee safety.
Business Operation Manager
TGC SOLUTION Pte Ltd
Singapore
07.2010 - 05.2011
- Delivered Lean Manufacturing strategies, improving client efficiency by 15%
- Managed integration projects, reducing client costs by 20%
- Aligned customer needs with engineering goals, increasing delivery speed by 25%
- Improved profitability by 10% through P&L analysis and enhanced performance metrics by 18%
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring accurate forecasting, budgeting, and reporting to support informed decisionmaking.
Project Manager, Senior Product Engineer, Product Engineer
HEWLETT-PACKARD SINGAPORE (Pte) Ltd
Singapore
10.2002 - 05.2010
- Leveraged extensive knowledge in product engineering to oversee the lifecycle of various printer products and accessories, focusing on New Product Introduction (NPI) and Extensions, utilizing CM, CDM, and OEM manufacturing models
- Provide consultancy to the design team in the area of design for manufacturing (DFM)
- Establish mfg test strategies and enable product characterization of ME subsystems
- PM for project transfer from Singapore to Malaysia/Thailand, Malaysian to China
- Identifies process short coming and work with project team members to improve transform process
- Develop team strategies and direction, and oversees execution
- Manage CM & CMD partners to define mfg eco-system, ensure mfg readiness during product life cycle
- In charge of negotiation on the MOH (manufacturing overhead) & OS (operating supply) cost
- Led cost reduction initiatives, achieving US$10.3 million in printer cost savings and US$90,000 in OS cost reductions in 2006
- Optimized supplier processes using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, resulting in annual savings of up to $2 million while maintaining high product quality standards
- Collaborated with Customer Satisfaction teams to analyze and resolve printer failure rates, conducting in-depth analysis at customer locations across Denmark, Korea, and Singapore
- Served as a certified ISO 9001 & 14001 Lead Assessor, leading ISO activities and achieving a perfect audit record with 0 non-conformities and 0 observations during BSI audits
Senior Account Representative
3M MALAYSIA SDN BHD
Malaysia
04.2002 - 09.2002
- Optimized resources, increasing customer coverage by 20% in 3 months
- Boosted sales by 15% year-over-year through market strategies and new launches
- Led 10+ product trials, driving a 25% growth in portfolio sales
Manufacturing Engineer
FLEXTRONICS (M) SDN BHD
Malaysia
08.2000 - 03.2002
- Proficient in SMT, PCBA, BGA, and FMEA processes, achieving a 20% boost in production efficiency
- Designed and implemented tooling solutions, cutting operational costs by 15% and enhancing productivity
Education
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours - Mechanical Engineering
University of Sheffield
United Kingdom 08.1997 - 05.2000
Canadian Pre-University Programme - Ontario Secondary School Diploma
TAYLOR’S College
Malaysia 08.1996 - 05.1997
Skills
Project Management
Project Leadership
Management & communication
Problem Solving
Troubleshooting
Situational Negotiation Skills
ISO 14000
Advance EMS Auditing
ISO9000:2000
Lead Auditor
DOE
FMEA
SPC
DFX
Lead Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Lead Six Sigma Green Belt
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance
Customer experience
Operational excellence
Workflow optimization
Lean six sigma
Teamwork and collaboration
Adaptability and flexibility
Effective communication
Project management
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 12/01/77
- Nationality: Malaysian/ Singapore PR
- Marital Status: Married
Miscellaneousinformation
Fluent in English, Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese, Extensive Experience in Asia manufacturing ecosystem, supply chain operation in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand & Indonesia., Project Development oversight, Operation Management for NPI & Project full cycles, Cost estimation and reduction initiatives, Manufacturing & Process optimization, Change Management, Risk Management, Cross-functional collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Suppliers Development and Collaboration, Quality & Regulatory Compliance, Project Management, Project Leadership, Management & communication, Problem Solving and Troubleshooting, Situational Negotiation Skills, ISO 14000 Advance EMS Auditing Course for Quality & Environment Professionals, ISO9000:2000 Series Lead Auditor course, DOE, FMEA, SPC, DFX, Lead Six Sigma Yellow Belt/ Green Belt, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance, Will be furnished upon request
Timeline
Product Development & Improvement Manager
YSQ-International Pte Ltd
01.2024 - 05.2024
NPI Manager, Mfg Eng. Manager, Program Manager
Memjet Singapore Pte Limited
05.2011 - 10.2023
Business Operation Manager
TGC SOLUTION Pte Ltd
07.2010 - 05.2011
Project Manager, Senior Product Engineer, Product Engineer
HEWLETT-PACKARD SINGAPORE (Pte) Ltd
10.2002 - 05.2010
Senior Account Representative
3M MALAYSIA SDN BHD
04.2002 - 09.2002
Manufacturing Engineer
FLEXTRONICS (M) SDN BHD
08.2000 - 03.2002
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours - Mechanical Engineering
University of Sheffield
08.1997 - 05.2000
Canadian Pre-University Programme - Ontario Secondary School Diploma
TAYLOR’S College
08.1996 - 05.1997