Lee Dirienzo

Senior Quality Engineer @New Balance

Lawrence, MA, US

First focused on Finished Goods, following up on customer complaints, defective returns, incoming inspections from overseas vendors as well as domestic factories. Performed audit on quality inspection process used at overseas factories to compare to domestic inspection process.In 2008 began focusing on raw materials (trained new QE to take over finished goods quality initiatives), learning how various products are made by visiting vendor plants (textile mills, leather tanneries, synthetic leather coating plants, etc.) Review vendor labs to determine capabilities to test materials against NB standards for acceptance. Learned about the various test methods defined by NB standards. Setup tools for lab technician to improve time dedicated to calculated various test results, audit plan/audits of testing lab to ensure procedures are being followed correctly/consistently. Performed shoe making process audits on individual value streams within each US factory (5 in total), developing and sharing audit scores with VS supervisors and Team Leaders; the audit forms documenting performance in each process phase was used to allow plans to be developed by each plant and responsible leader in order to continuously improve their respective areas of influence within the manufacturing process. Developed tools and plans for incoming inspection of materials, using data from manufacturing related complaints to determine which sources to focus inspection efforts and then on which aspects of the materials critical to manufacturing success. Have spent majority of last 10 years focused on improving leather supply performance and capabilities, including qualification planning for potential new sources.

University of New Hampshire

BS, Chemical Engineering