Dr. Mel Gabriel

Experience

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  Rhino Automation

  Chief Business Officer (CBO)

  Dec 2025 - Present

  Rhino Industrial Laser Solutions don’t just supply machinery; it forges enduring partnerships. As a premier long-term collaborator, it is specialized in delivering high-precision 2D and 3D laser equipment and comprehensive contract manufacturing services tailored to the rigors of modern industry.

  • Applications Engineering Leadership Built a full in‑house applications engineering function delivering process migration, validation, metallurgical analysis, simulation, and optics/robot qualification—RHINO’s core differentiator.
  • Advanced Process Monitoring Implemented in‑process monitoring (seam tracking, gap measurement, depth validation, data logging) enabling precision, repeatability, and customer‑grade traceability across laser processes.
  • ORBIT 5‑Axis Gantry Platform Developed and standardized the ORBIT 5‑axis gantry product line, integrating controls/HMI, safety compliance, and turnkey commissioning for high‑accuracy 3D laser cutting.
  • Turnkey Automation Delivery Delivered end‑to‑end automation systems including robotics, controls, HMI, vision inspection, material handling, packaging, and line integration for multi‑industry clients.
  • In‑House Tooling & Fixturing Established internal tooling/fixturing capability with pneumatic clamping, sensing, shielding, and quick‑changeover systems to ensure high repeatability and rapid deployment.
  • Precision Equipment Manufacturing Led turnkey‑ready machine builds across 2D, 3D, and robotic systems, integrating options, ensuring compliance, and achieving internal FAT readiness for production‑grade delivery.
  • Safety & Compliance Excellence Implemented robust compliance frameworks across ANSI/CSA/IEC, ESA field evaluation, and PHSR support—positioning RHINO as a trusted, audit‑ready integrator.
  • Lifecycle Service Model Built a lifecycle support model with remote diagnostics, direct‑line expert support, spares transparency, training, and retrofit programs to maximize uptime and customer success.
  • Contract Production Operations Scaled multi‑process contract production (cutting, welding, heat treating, tube ops) enabling capability proof, rapid prototyping, and customer adoption without capital investment.
  • Unified 2D/3D Portfolio Engineering Engineered a cohesive 2D/3D equipment portfolio including plasma/oxy/drilling/bevel, flat/coil/tube lasers, robotic/gantry cutting, welding, hardening, cladding, and CO₂ non‑metal cutting.
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  Ergomorphology Medical Devices

  Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

  Jan 2023 - Present

  Ergomorphology Inc. is a Canadian innovation and engineering company incorporated to advance modern manufacturing, automation, and product development practices through disciplined engineering, operational excellence, and human‑centered design. With a focus on transforming complex ideas into scalable, production‑ready solutions, Ergomorphology brings together expertise in technology leadership, process optimization, and cross‑functional program delivery. The organization operates with a commitment to clarity, accountability, and high‑performance execution—supporting clients seeking to modernize operations, accelerate product development, or deploy advanced manufacturing capabilities.

  • Architected manufacturing roadmaps and operational frameworks aligned with board-level growth strategies, enabling scalable execution across medical devices, advanced materials, and industrial resource technologies.
  • Implemented lean manufacturing practices and Agile delivery across a 30-member engineering and operations team, reducing time-to-market by 40% and accelerating product development cycles by 30%.
  • Partnered with academic and industry labs to co-develop advanced foams and composites, reducing R&D and prototyping costs by $2.5M annually while increasing production throughput by 40%.
  • Fostered a culture of operational discipline and innovation, unifying cross-functional teams and reinforcing Ergomorphology’s reputation as a visionary, execution-focused manufacturer.

• Einbau Construction

  Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer (COO and CIO)

  Dec 2021 - Dec 2025

  At Einbau, millwork installation is what we do best. From luxury retail to laboratories, grocery stores to national rollouts, we deliver precision installation for commercial projects across every province in Canada. And when clients need support for select residential work—such as condo developments, high-end homes, or cottage properties—we bring the same level of craftsmanship and reliability. Whether you’re a general contractor, brand manager, or millwork shop, we turn your custom installations into flawless finished spaces—on time and on budget.

  • Directed large-scale millwork and cabinet-making operations, ensuring precision craftsmanship and compliance with evolving building codes and sustainability mandates.
  • Oversaw the integration of advanced steel framing systems into institutional and industrial builds, improving structural performance, durability, and lifecycle efficiency.
  • Forged supplier partnerships to secure high-quality wood composites and steel materials, renegotiating contracts to lower costs by 13% while maintaining regulatory compliance and product reliability.
  • Eliminated non-value-added processes and digitalized workflows, increasing manufacturing efficiency by 28% and reducing overhead by $2.9M annually.
  • Directed full-stack IT implementation (PROCORE, QBO, ORACLE® NETSUITE®) to streamline project management, finance, HR, and operations, achieving 50% faster onboarding and 30% fewer administrative errors.
  • Managed over 550 staff, achieving record safety standards and resolving complex stakeholder issues through cross-functional task forces.
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  Synagro Technologies

  Managing Director and Senior Plant Manager

  Dec 2017 - Dec 2021

  Synagro Technologies, Inc. is North America’s leading provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics and residuals. it offers a comprehensive suite of environmental services to help ensure water quality, support regenerative agriculture and promote circularity. With the most experienced team in the industry, Synagro leverages innovative technologies to help our customers clean water, increase organics recycling and have a net positive impact on people and the planet.

  • Managed $1B+ in capital projects across 10+ sites in Canada and the U.S., delivering 98% schedule adherence and reducing costs by an average of 12% through disciplined planning and execution.
  • Oversaw day-to-day manufacturing operations at a $70M+ biosolids facility, achieving 99.99% uptime through resilient IT/OT infrastructure, SCADA integration, and predictive maintenance enabled by 100+ IoT edge devices.
  • Implemented lean manufacturing practices and refined operational policies, improving project delivery efficiency by 25%, reducing rework by 18%, and cutting planning cycles by 30%.
  • Introduced Fiix CMMS to manage plant assets, achieving a 27% reduction in mean time between failures (MTBF) and boosting maintenance team productivity by 44%.
  • Developed and rolled out safety training programs across all sites, resulting in a 35% reduction in incident rates and full compliance with environmental and regulatory standards.
  • Delivered operational and financial results aligned with corporate goals, contributing to a $36.5M EBITDA increase through cost control, capital efficiency, and manufacturing optimization.
  • Directed and mentored high-performing teams of engineers, operators, and project managers, achieving 100% retention of key leaders during high-growth periods and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
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  Magna International

  Senior Director, Engineering, Optimization and Simulation

  Dec 2014 - Nov 2017

  Magna is a mobility technology company built to innovate, with a global, entrepreneurial-minded team. With 65+ years of expertise, our ecosystem of interconnected products combined with our complete vehicle expertise uniquely positions us to advance mobility in an expanded transportation landscape.

  • Oversaw end-to-end manufacturing processes including new product introduction (NPI), total productive maintenance (TPM), design for manufacturability (DFM), quality, supply chain, and facilities across multiple automotive product lines.
  • Achieved a 15% increase in throughput and 12% reduction in cycle time by redesigning workflows, implementing predictive maintenance, and embedding lean manufacturing practices.
  • Directed the design and deployment of novel robotic production systems for complex automotive parts, reducing unit costs by $1M annually and operating costs by 3%.
  • Reduced production cycle times by 35%, increased equipment utilization by 28%, and cut operational costs by $1.8M annually through simulation-driven process redesign and system-wide optimization.
  • Participated in annual strategic planning and budgeting, contributing to a $4.2M EBITDA improvement over three years. Delivered 8% cost savings through procurement enhancements and job-costing models.
  • Collaborated with Magna’s quality and safety departments to ensure zero non-conformances in annual audits, while establishing production standards that reduced scrap and rework by 22%.
  • Spearheaded Industry 4.0 adoption, including AI-driven optimization, IoT-enabled feedback loops, and cloud-based simulation platforms, improving forecast accuracy by 40% and embedding a culture of data-driven decision-making.
  • Managed and mentored a team of 65+ employees, restructuring roles to align with business objectives, improving productivity by 20%, reducing turnover by 18%, and increasing employee satisfaction scores by 25%.
  • Identified and executed strategic operational projects, including benchmarking initiatives that informed $6M in capital investments and strengthened continuous improvement programs.
  • Provided leadership and technical direction to scale products toward high-volume manufacturing, ensuring lean engineering support for contract manufacturing facilities and global supply chain integration.
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  Bombardier Aerospace

  Director, Project Management Office (PMO)

  Jan 2008 - Dec 2015

  Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Montreal. Founded in 1942 by inventor Joseph-Armand Bombardier, the company began as a maker of snow vehicles and later grew into a diversified industrial conglomerate with major businesses in rail transportation, recreational products, and aircraft manufacturing. After selling off those businesses, Bombardier has focused on the design, manufacture, and servicing of business jets, including the Challenger and Global lines of aircraft.

  • Directed manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation operations across 12 international sites, supporting multiple aircraft programs (Global Express, Challenger, Learjet, CRJ-Series, C-Series, Q-Series, missionized aircraft, and firefighting platform
  • Defined and implemented strategies for quality, cost reduction, delivery, safety, and employee engagement, driving a 22% improvement in plant performance metrics.
  • Led facility-wide improvement initiatives, including plant layout redesigns and equipment upgrades, improving production efficiency by 30% and reducing downtime by 18%.
  • Directed procurement and installation of new manufacturing systems, achieving ROI within 14 months and enhancing throughput by 25%.
  • Ensured full adherence to Bombardier’s safety and quality standards, resulting in zero major audit findings across all sites during tenure.
  • Developed and implemented KPIs and dashboards to monitor manufacturing success, enabling real-time performance tracking and 15% faster issue resolution.
  • Managed and mentored 250+ production and maintenance staff across global locations, improving retention by 20% through targeted development programs, training, and performance management.
  • Initiated and drove major improvement projects across facilities, including new equipment procurement, plant layout changes, and process redesigns, embedding lean manufacturing practices.
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  Voestalpine AG

  General Manager

  Jan 1996 - Jan 2008

  voestalpine is a globally leading steel and technology group with a unique combination of materials and processing expertise. voestalpine, which operates globally, has around 500 Group companies and locations in more than 50 countries on all five continents. The voestalpine Group has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995. With its premium products and system solutions, voestalpine is a leading partner to the automotive and machinery industries, as well as to the aerospace and energy industries. The company is also the global market leader in railway systems and special sections. voestalpine is committed to the global climate goals and has a clear plan for transforming steel production with its greentec steel program.

  • Directed day-to-day operations across 15 manufacturing facilities worldwide, coordinating Production, Warehouse, Maintenance, Sales, Finance, and Planning to ensure seamless execution and efficiency
  • Achieved a 28% increase in output and 15% reduction in operational costs over three years through disciplined process optimization and divisional alignment.
  • Delivered $3.2M in annual savings via vendor renegotiation and operational streamlining, while contributing to a $25M revenue increase through innovative client engagement and sales strategies.
  • Supervised union and non-union personnel across global sites, successfully negotiating three union contracts and maintaining 100% labor compliance.
  • Spearheaded the setup of new manufacturing facilities across Europe, North America, and Asia, equipping plants with multi-robot systems for MIG/TIG welding, plasma cutting, and automated testing, reducing manual labor by 60% and improving production con
  • Integrated advanced control systems (Allen Bradley, Omron, Siemens, Mitsubishi) to enable real-time diagnostics, reducing equipment downtime by 30% and improving overall plant reliability.
  • Led manufacturing operations across Canada, the UK, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Spain, Austria, Romania, and China, standardizing performance metrics and achieving 95% on-time delivery across all regions.
  • Partnered with international teams to align production standards, resulting in a 20% faster product launch and an 18% improvement in logistics efficiency.