About

My mission is simple: help small and mid-sized businesses operate at enterprise-level standards without enterprise-level overhead.

Many suppliers struggle with compliance and customer requirements because the tools are too complex or too costly. These applications were designed to fix that problem—streamlining audits, supplier scorecards, and compliance registers so businesses can focus on growth and customer satisfaction.

Who We Are

I’m Robert Gutierrez, a process development and quality leader with deep experience in the automotive and defense industries. Over the past two decades, I’ve worked across engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and compliance, helping organizations meet the most demanding standards—from IATF 16949 in automotive to CMMI and MIL-STD frameworks in defense.

In my current role as Director of Product Development Process Excellence, I specialize in building structured systems that help teams deliver projects on time, at cost, and in compliance with global standards. I’ve spent my career at the intersection of quality management, supplier development, manufacturing and product engineering, ensuring that organizations can move fast without sacrificing rigor.

That’s why I founded Competitive Operations and developed the Command Center applications:

QMS Command: a central platform for QMS compliance, audits, and quality control.

ISM Command: an integrated supplier management hub for Supplier Management, Evaluation, Qualification, Performance and Development.

When I’m not building systems, I’m helping others, solving problems, streamlining processes, and sharing what I’ve learned—whether it’s through developing product development frameworks, coaching quality leaders, or creating digital resources that make compliance less overwhelming.

Core Areas of Expertise:

Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, IATF 16949)

Supplier Quality & PPAP Management

Product Development Processes (APQP, CMMI, PMI PMBOK)

Compliance & Audit Readiness

Defense and Automotive Program Execution

FAQ's

What is QMS Command?

QMS Command is a cloud-based Quality Management System designed for small and mid-sized businesses. It centralizes compliance tasks like document control, audits, corrective actions (CAPA), and KPIs into one easy-to-use platform. Think of it as your digital quality office—keeping you organized, audit-ready, and able to prove quality excellence without the overhead of enterprise systems.

How does QMS Command help with ISO 9001

ISO 9001 compliance requires structure, documentation, and repeatable processes. QMS Command comes with built-in modules that map directly to ISO requirements—like internal audits, corrective action tracking, KPIs and objectives, and customer complaints. By automating reminders, providing ready-to-use templates, and centralizing all records, QMS Command makes it easier to prepare for audits, demonstrate compliance, and maintain certification year after year.

Can small businesses really afford a QMS tool?

Yes—QMS Command was designed with small businesses in mind. Our Basic plan starts with a one-time setup fee of $5,000 and a monthly subscription of $500 (covering up to 10 users). Unlike enterprise systems that cost six figures and require dedicated IT staff, QMS Command delivers the essential quality tools at a price point that makes sense for growing manufacturers.

Do I get support with setup?

Absolutely. Every plan includes full setup and onboarding to ensure your system is tailored to your business from day one.

Basic Plan includes 4 hours of onboarding and 1 monthly service review.

Advanced Plan includes 6 hours of onboarding and two monthly reviews.

Enterprise Plan includes 8 hours of onboarding plus weekly reviews.
Our team ensures you’re not left figuring things out—we guide you through implementation and provide ongoing touchpoints so your system stays aligned with your needs. Additional support is available at the packaged service rate.

Can I ask for application improvements?

Yes, customization is available depending on your plan.

Basic Plan: No customizations included beyond the initial setup.

Advanced Plan: Up to 10 enhancements per month are available at $100 per implemented enhancement.

Enterprise Plan: Up to 30 enhancements per month at the same $100 rate.
This means you can continuously evolve QMS Command with your business, adding new workflows, integrations, or reports as you grow. Note that development costs also apply based on the selected tier.

Can I upgrade my Package

Yes. You can upgrade your package at any time, especially if user count increases or additional features want to be added to the application. In many cases it may make more sense to upgrade packages, then add additional users or pay support fees.

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