Packaging Development, Product Innovation Expert Consultant ResumeThis expert has experience in packaging development and project management leadership in a variety of consumer product (CPM) and supplier roles. This consultant has a proven track record of package and product innovation, brand support, budgetary control, and project management across a wide array of products and industries. This expert easily transitions among all management levels and across disciplines, to drive organizational success through encouragement of team and individual effort.
Additionally, this consultant offers expertise related to technical packaging project leadership, plastic bottle and closure development, bottle barrier requirements and performance for lawn and pesticide products. This expert also has experience in rigid and flexible packaging for garden products, equipment analysis, cost savings, quality improvement, qualification testing, supply chain support, and distribution analysis.
Complimentary expertise includes new product development, definition of testing parameters, technical development, and quality control, strategic planning, and cost control. Other areas of expertise this consultant has are market development, sales, and supply chain management.
This consultant's work experience includes innovative paper cup products, thermoformed cup lids, cartons, and cases. Glass and plastic bottles, closures, flexible materials including barrier materials, aerosols, pouches, and cans are other areas of this consultant's work experience.
This consultant offers specific expertise relative to research and development in food packaging, vacuum bags, and flexible packaging materials for foods. This expert developed several unique patented folding carton designs for baking soda, including a shaker-top carton. This consultant evaluated experimental barrier coatings for folding cartons and bags.
Consultant, Kevin Kennedy Associates Inc.
Providing expertise in packaging development, new product development consulting, packaging design, research and development, packaging technology, packaging engineering, project management, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.
Consultant/Technical Project Manager, technical packaging consulting firm
Provided technical packaging project leadership for major CPM and supplier companies, and ran a $4.6MM plastic bottle and closure development project for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Led effort to upgrade bottle barrier requirements and performance for lawn and pesticide products. Worked with vendor companies to develop innovative rigid and flexible packages for garden products. Served as expert consultant for packaging development projects, equipment analysis, cost savings, quality improvement, qualification testing, supply chain support, and distribution analysis.
Director/Partner, PX Foodservice
Identified an opportunity for a new $20MM business, and worked as an entrepreneur and partner with a machine manufacturer to develop a totally new business model. Was responsible for new product development, definition of testing parameters, technical development, quality control, strategic planning, cost control, market development, sales, and supply chain management. Product line included sophisticated engineered molded paper pulp items for the foodservice industry.
Manager of Product Development, Foodservice Business (IPFB), International Paper Company, Loveland, OH
Identified and implemented innovative strategic technologies for the Foodservice Division. Led cross-discipline development project that set a new technological standard for paper cup products, to produce a unique new paper material and product line with $50MM potential annual sales. Provided cross-functional project leadership, technical and customer interface, and integration of new technologies into established cup manufacturing locations. Managed product development and package design support for Foodservice Division customers, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, 7-Eleven, Caribou Coffee, and others. Regularly interfaced with both internal (IP) and external customers in sales and technical roles. Coached and mentored 3 direct reports and a matrix technical staff, with full budgetary responsibility.
Manager, Packaging Design
Managed the creative Packaging Design function within Packaging R&D. Led the development of innovative packages and presentation materials that resulted in over $100MM in new packaging sales to several key customers in two years. Served as liaison between department and inside and outside customers. Investigated innovative and unique barrier packages and closures for Tropicana Juice. Supervised developments that resulted in over 2 dozen patent applications within the design group. Personally received a patent for a unique thermoformed cup lid. Managed and mentored a staff of 6 direct reports, with full budgetary responsibility.
Group Manager, Packaging Technology, CPC International/Best Foods Division, Somerset, NJ
Led the group handling Operations and R&D Packaging Development activities for Mueller's pasta, Knorr soups and sauces, Niagara and Mazola aerosols, Old London crackers, Karo syrups, and Entenmann’s/Arnold’s products. Package forms included cartons, cases, glass and plastic bottles, closures, flexible materials including barrier materials, aerosols, pouches, and cans. Group was responsible for all innovative packaging design, operations support, and cost savings. Introduced and chaired a cross-functional task force concept to resolve packaging & operations issues, resulting in improved quality and operating efficiency with over $3MM in direct cost savings/avoidance. Worked with contract manufacturers to develop innovative club store packaging designs and methods. Selected as member of corporate team responsible for identifying and implementing packaging cost savings across division lines. Initial savings exceeded $2MM, with cumulative total exceeding $6MM. Designed, equipped, and managed the packaging development testing laboratory, and designed a $3.3MM distribution test lab for the division. Developed a staff of 4-6 direct reports.
Project Leader/Laboratory Manager, R&D Packaging, General Foods Corporation, Cranbury, NJ
Served as R&D project manager for Entenmann's Bakery packaging. Worked with Entenmann’s plant and distribution managers to evaluate new package ideas and materials. Was a member of team developing early MAP/CAP flexible packaging materials for foods. Participated in development of the barrier vacuum bag for Maxwell House coffee that is still used today. Managed R&D materials testing laboratory that served all GF Divisions. Justified, designed, and constructed a state-of-the-art $2.8MM distribution test laboratory, including shock, vibration, compression, and warehouse handling simulation capability. Managed 4-8 direct reports.
Packaging Engineer/Senior Packaging Engineer, Church & Dwight Company, Inc., Piscataway, NJ
Was responsible for package design and development for Arm & Hammer consumer products and specialty chemicals. Developed several unique patented folding carton designs for baking soda, including a shaker-top carton that vaulted a new product to #1 in the carpet deodorizer market and remained in use for over 20 years. Had cross-functional interaction with marketing, sales, purchasing, quality, operations, and distribution. Performed extensive distribution analyses for powdered products in cartons and multiwall bags to determine odor and moisture barrier and handling protection required. Evaluated experimental barrier coatings for folding cartons and bags for all A&H powdered products. Managed one direct report as Senior Engineer.