1. CurtHigdem
Education Graduated fall 1992 St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN.
Engineering Technology
BS degree in EngineeringTechnology with an emphasis on Mechanical Engineering.
Training in SPC, NDT, TS-16949, ISO 9001 Auditor, and TeamFacilitator. Sauer-
Danfoss BlackBelt in 6–Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Theory of Constraints, and
Value stream Mapping. Fluent in Microsoft office programs i.e. Word, Excel,
Access,Project,and Outlook.Also experienced with Minitab 15and SAP.Sauer-
Danfoss IT Super user.
Professional experience May 2012 – Present Plymouth, MN.
Manager of Quality and Continuous Improvement
Responsible for all aspects of the Quality Management Systemfor the Plymouth
facility and sometimes a representative fortheglobalEC Quality roll. Instrumental
in the rollout ofupgrading to the TS-16949QMSfromISO9001. Experienced with
customers and suppliers around the world dealing with difficult Quality issues.
Reduced PPM from2464 to 300 with the use of statistical analysis and stringent
use of Poke-Yoke techniques. Set direction and influence new CAR system
implementation.Set Budgets andtolerances forQuality department andKPI’s for
the plant siteas wellas the globalECbusiness unit.Manage a teamofhighlyskilled
Engineers and Technicians in a fast paced and growing industry. Implemented a
newformofDFMEA that incorporatedMMTFforcomponents andtheiruse in the
circuit and integrated that with SIL certification of safety controllers.
Set the Lean path for the Plymouth facility using Value Streammapping and cross
functionalteams to determine whatKaizens andCIprojects would havethe greatest
value forthe company.Lead and develop the employees in Lean concepts suchas
one piece flow,7forms ofwaste, 5S,Poke-Yoke,and designformanufacturability.
May 2010 – May 2012 Plymouth, MN.
Team Leader, Quality &CI
Responsible for the Quality of the Controller line of products and SMT line which
includes butis not limited to FPY, Corrective action,CustomerInteractions (MPS
CAT and John Deere contact), Vendorproblems,CustomerLine DPM reduction,
Implementation of Quality Tools (including PPAP submissions, SFMEA’s,
DFMEA’s,PFMEA’s,ControlPlans,Capability Studies ect.).Alsofocusedon the
application of Quality and lean tools/methodologies for the organization, support
productanddevelopmentteams,lead systemlevelproblemsolving,and ensure site
adherence to internal standards and external audits.
Oct 2006 – May 2010 Sauer-Danfoss Plymouth, MN.
Sr. Quality Engineer
Responsible for the Quality of the Controller line of products and SMT line which
includes butis not limited to FPY, Corrective action,Customer Interactions (MPS
67299 350th st.
Fairf ax Mn. 55332
Phone 763-221-0421
E-mail curthigdem@gmail.com

2. CAT contact), Vendorproblems, CustomerLine DPM reduction,Implementation
of Quality Tools (including PPAP submissions, DFMEA’s, PFMEA’s, Control
Plans, Capability Studies ect.). I am also involved with Kaizen events for the
controller team i.e. shipping event and upcoming PPU Cell.
2000 – Oct 2006 MCG Inc. New Ulm, MN.
Quality Manager
Responsible forthe Quality systemcompany wide which includes but is notlimited to
Calibration, Corrective action system, Customer returns Lab, ISO procedures,
Audits,Vendorproblems,Customerproblems,Qualitydepartment budgetandalso
helped out the Engineering department with Mechanical Design issues. I have
extensive experience in ISO 9000 standard. I also have had extensive experience
with UL, CSA and CE and the requirements called out by those organizations.
Reduced RMA evaluation backlogof683units on July1st 2003to 0on December21st
2003. Reduced the average turn aroundtime to within 1.5 days forevaluationand
answer to the customer and an average total turn around time to 38 days for the
motors to be repaired and shipped.
1998- 2000 MCG Inc. New Ulm, MN.
Quality Supervisor
Took over responsibility of supervision of the Customer Returns Lab and the
Receiving Inspection and Calibrationdepartments in additiontomy responsibilities
as Quality Engineer.
1998- 1998 MCG Inc New Ulm, MN.
Quality Engineer
Responsibilities included but were not limited to production floor support, Customer
support, Vendor Support, issuing and tracking Corrective actions, process
improvements, and MRB member for disposition of rejected materials.
1997- 1998 DeZurik Sartell, MN.
Sr. Quality Engineer
Responsibilities included support of production, customers, and suppliers also
managed the Quality budgetforall focused factories as well as ISO 9001 audits.
Lead teamto reduce scrap/rework and warranty costs by 30%.
Developed a database to track customer complaints for trend analysis and continuos
improvement.
Developed SPC tracking method for on time delivery used for reporting to General
Signal who owned DeZurik at the time.

3. 1992- 1997 DeZurik Sartell, MN.
Quality Engineer
Responsible for the AWWA and Eccentric product lines Quality Functions.
Participated in FMEA’s, both design and process, on the redesign of the AWWA
product line.
Setup SPC tracking on rubber sample testing.
Write ISO 9001 procedures and conduct audits of the ISO system.
References Brian Sandberg Plant Controller Danfoss Plymouth MN. Ph.763-258-6301
bsandberg@danfoss.com
Jeff Kaiser Vice President; Global Quality at Danfoss MN. Ph. 651-408-3885
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-kaiser-a9b287b
Mark Green Engineering ManagerMCG New Ulm MN. Home Ph. 507-526-3365