Jim Fulkerson
About Jim Fulkerson
Jim Fulkerson is the Director of Lean Production Systems at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, where he has worked since 2010. He has extensive experience in lean manufacturing and has held various roles at General Motors and other organizations, contributing to significant transformational programs in production and leadership.
Current Role at Harley-Davidson
Jim Fulkerson serves as the Director of Lean Production Systems at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He has held this position since 2010, contributing to the company's operational efficiency and production processes for over 14 years. In this role, he designed a global Lean assessment tool aimed at facilitating structured process improvements and ensuring sustainability within the organization.
Previous Experience in Lean Production
Prior to his current role, Jim Fulkerson worked at various organizations where he focused on Lean production methodologies. He was a Managing Partner at Planet LEAN from 2009 to 2010 and served as a Lean Liaison/Consultant at NUMMI from 2002 to 2004. His experience also includes multiple positions at General Motors, where he worked as a Process Engineering Manager, Production Manager, Production Planner, and Throughput Manager.
Educational Background
Jim Fulkerson has a strong educational foundation in engineering and business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Kettering University, followed by a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) from Princeton University. He also completed Executive Training at Stanford Graduate School of Business, focusing on Supply Chain Strategies and Leadership, as well as Leading Change and Organizational Renewal.
Leadership Development Initiatives
Fulkerson has developed and delivered significant leadership development programs. He created a multi-week Lean Transformational program for Production and Support teams, impacting approximately 3,500 manufacturing employees globally. Additionally, he delivered a transformational program for 150 senior leaders across six manufacturing facilities, aimed at enhancing leadership skills within a Lean environment.
Long-term Commitment to General Motors
Jim Fulkerson has a notable history with General Motors, where he worked for eight years in various roles, including Manufacturing Operations and as a General Motors Fellow at Princeton University. His tenure at General Motors spanned from 1988 to 2009, during which he held positions that contributed to the company's manufacturing and production efficiency.