John Friedl, Senior VP of Automation and Industrial Engineering
Professional Overview
John Friedl is an accomplished Senior Vice President of Automation and Industrial Engineering with extensive experience in driving operational excellence and technological innovation across diverse industries. With a strong background in automation, manufacturing, and engineering, he is a strategic leader focused on optimizing productivity, enhancing efficiency, and implementing transformative solutions.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Senior VP of Automation and Industrial Engineering at thredUP.com, John Friedl is responsible for overseeing the company's automation and industrial engineering initiatives. He spearheads the development and implementation of advanced automation systems, leveraging his deep technical expertise to streamline operations, improve scalability, and enhance the overall customer experience. Under his leadership, thredUP has achieved significant improvements in throughput, cost savings, and operational resilience.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, John held various leadership positions in the manufacturing and technology sectors. As the VP of Operations and Director of Manufacturing at Liquidity Nanotech Corporation (US), he played a pivotal role in optimizing production processes, implementing lean manufacturing principles, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that resulted in substantial cost savings and quality enhancements. Earlier in his career, he served as a Partner Alliance Manager at innoPath Software, a Senior Consultant at JVIE Consulting, and held engineering management roles at Solyndra, SGI, and NUMMI, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to solve complex challenges and drive organizational transformation.
Academic Background
John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with high honors. His academic excellence and technical aptitude laid the foundation for his successful career in engineering and operations management.
Areas of Expertise
- Automation and Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Optimization and Lean Process Improvement
- Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction
- Technology Integration and Systems Implementation
- Strategic Planning and Project Management
- Cross-functional Collaboration and Team Leadership
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, John has spearheaded numerous high-impact initiatives that have transformed organizations and delivered measurable results. At thredUP, he has been instrumental in the implementation of advanced automation solutions, which have increased throughput by 25% and reduced operational costs by 18%. In his previous role at Liquidity Nanotech Corporation (US), he led the development and deployment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing system, resulting in a 30% improvement in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and a 15% reduction in production lead times.
Conclusion
With his exceptional technical expertise, strategic vision, and proven track record of driving operational excellence, John Friedl is a valuable asset to any organization. He is committed to leveraging the latest technological advancements to create innovative solutions that enhance productivity, competitiveness, and customer satisfaction. As he continues to shape the future of automation and industrial engineering, John remains poised to make a lasting impact on the industries he serves.
