Charles Hartke

Experience

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  ACTS Testing

  Jan 1985 - Jan 2001

  Manager Environmental Laboratory

  Quality Assurance and Facilities Manager, Buffalo Location (January 1999 – October 2001)Through a direct staff of 2 quality engineers and 2 facilities staff managed the quality and facilities functions for the location. Developed and maintained capital and expense budgets of up to $1,500,000.• Authored/implemented the Buffalo Quality System and achieved accreditation on first audit with no deficiencies. This was the only time in the accreditation body’s history that this has happened.• Led the process improvement initiative across all operational departments; redesigned processes which improved turnaround time, decreased errors per report, and improved client satisfaction.New Building Project Manager, Buffalo (January 1998 – January 1999)Served as Project Manager for selection, design, development, build out, and move to a 53,000 square foot building. Served as primary liaison with contractors, architect, and public authorities to ensure compliance to design, safety, and regulatory requirements.• Completed project on-time with a savings of over $300,000.• Coordinated shut down, pack-up, move, and setup over weekend with all operations up and functioning at start of business the following week with no disruption to clients. Show less

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  Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services

  Jan 2001 - Dec 2010

  Global Quality Assurance Director

  Managed Global Quality System across 50 locations worldwide. Managed accreditations, certifications, and registrations. Managed Division programs for Ethics, Health, Safety & Environment, and Crisis Management. Developed division policies and procedures. Successfully led improvement projects across the Division. Developed and trained 100+ people in Train the Trainer certification.• Authored/implemented a division quality system incorporating ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 17025(Testing and Calibration), ISO 17020 (Inspection) and Guide 65 (Certification) across 50 locations globally which has been successfully audited.• Implemented division wide monthly Key Performance Indicators process which required tracking and reporting metrics across all locations for Turnaround Time (cycle time), accuracy of reports (compliance to client, program, and quality requirements), and customer complaints. • Led the implementation and maintenance of new Document Control system and Change Management process for operational and client documents (over 30,000 documents). Split client and internal access to ensure security for client information. Developed software functionality, file structure, and naming conventions. • Implemented a client outreach program that reduced on-hold percentage 97% for the clients in the program resulting in an overall reduction of on hold from over 15% to less than 5%.• Led client improvement initiatives at the request of Account Management VPs, which led to increased client satisfaction, stronger client relationships, market share.• Led the process improvement initiative in Taunton in 2010. Analyzed and improved the existing 9-step process to a 6-step process. Ensured proper communication of the change, training of all effected staff on new responsibilities, implementation of new IT Tools to manage the process, and outsourcing of part of process to lower cost platform. Resulted in improved cycle time and reduced cost. Show less

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  Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York

  Jan 2011 - Dec 2011

  Performance Excellence / Change Management / Process Improvement Consultant

  Operational Excellence Six Sigma Black Belt - ConsultantLead seven improvement projects in Away From Home Care, Member ID cards, Fulfillment Center, and the systems associated with sending all required letters. Projects were focused on saving revenue, material, and labor, while improving productivity and increasing throughput. The Away From Home Care project was in the control phase and saved 1 million dollars.

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  ANSECO Group

  Jan 2012 - Apr 2016

  Technical Director Consumer Products Testing

  Provide technical guidance to clients through consulting, auditing, and process & documentation review. Consult with regulatory bodies such as CPSC, FDA, and various state agencies to obtain clarity regarding changes or additions to the regulations. Implement systems and processes to monitor changes in regulations and standards within the Consumer Products industry. Provide technical and management oversight for the laboratories. Provide oversight of Quality and IT functions.

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  SGS North America Inc.

  May 2016 - Mar 2020

  Quality Assurance Director

  Ensure Quality System compliance with TNI, ISO 17025, DOD, SGS Policies, industry standards and requirements. Maintain, update and train on systems for capturing quality information required for compliance for regulations, clients, and standards. Implement and sustain continued process improvement by evaluating systems, processes, and procedures across the division. Manage data and systems for division corrective actions, data inquiries, customer complaints, customer satisfaction surveys, and service issues. Develop division policies and procedures. Implemented systems to monitor, track and improve key performance indicators. Implemented Train the Trainer certification program. Improved Document Control, Management Review, audit response, corrective action process, and training to ensure compliance to regulatory requirements. Reviewed and updated database programs to better handle corrective actions, preventative actions, claims, data inquiries, complaints, praises, subcontracting, and supplier control. Show less

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  APA – The Engineered Wood Association

  Mar 2020 - now

  Oversee and direct the Certification and Auditing Services in managing 170 Members Certification of Products. Ensure Accreditations are maintained and processes improved for ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17020. Conduct Executive Review Committee and Management Review Meetings and objective establishment. Manage Certification Impartiality Committee and Risk to impartiality process and procedures. Secretary of PS 1 and PS 2 Standing Committees. APA staff advisor to Quality Advisory Committee. APA staff advisor to Safety and Health Advisory Committee. Review and update APA policies, procedures and processes for certification and auditing. Manage QSD Member Mill Satisfaction surveys and analysis. Provide safety training. Chair the APA Safety Committee. Implement and sustain continued process improvement by evaluating systems, processes, and procedures across the division. Evaluate data and systems for Quality Services Division and implement solutions. Implemented systems to monitor, track and improve key performance indicators. Improved Document Control, Management Review, corrective action process, and training to ensure compliance to regulatory requirements. Show less

  • Vice President Quality Services Division

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Director Quality Services

    Mar 2020 - Jan 2025