Packaging Expert Specializing in the Restaurant, Beverage and Agricultural Chemical Industries

Technical Consultant #1360

Retail, institutional and Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) packaging.
Extensive new product and package development.
Test method development and experimental design.
Package/product interactions and shelf-life determination.
Studies on new materials and package structures.
Thorough knowledge of packaging equipment and operations.
Hands-on experience in various production facilities.
Wide source base for new materials, packaging and co-packing.
Plastic bottles - lightweight designs with screw closures and labeling.
Thermoformed containers - cups and tubs with flexible heat-seal closures.
Glass jars - threaded and lug closures.
Metal containers - cans and coatings.
Flexible packaging - pouches, bags, bag-in-box, heat seal lidding.
Paper wraps - various paper grades, coatings and treatments.
Paperboard - folding cartons, formed cartons, clamshells and sleeves.
Corrugated - shipping containers, POS and promotional - design and cost savings.

Undisclosed Company, Packaging Consultant, 1997 - Present

Providing packaging development consulting services that offers a high level of packaging expertise to client companies. Leveraging experience with various packaging types, materials and processes.
Client List includes: H.J. Heinz Company, General Mills, YUM! Brands/Taco Bell, Mitsui Logistics, 7-Eleven, POM Wonderful, Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic, Dunkin Donuts, Herbalife, Pharmanex, Gilroy Foods, Kwikset/Black & Decker, Schick & Wilkinson Sword, Steuben Foods, Champion Labs, Tate's Bakery, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Gorton's Seafood, Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers, ZEP Products, Center for Culinary Development.
Developed packaging for portable yogurt product that was first of its kind on the market, growing sales and market share for Yoplait division of General Mills.
Developed new packaging for 7-Eleven Fresh Food and Bakery programs that communicated a higher quality image than previous packaging.
Solved nutritional supplement shelf life issue through material selection and process improvements.
Brought completely new packaging concept to after-market automotive air and oil filter category.

Taco Bell, Inc., Irvine, CA, 1996 - 2000

National Manager of Packaging Development and Consultant for Taco Bell, along with KFC and Pizza Hut make up YUM! Brands, one of the largest QSR chains worldwide.
Responsible for all packaging used in stores nationally.
Managed group of three packaging professionals.
Developed new packaging that improved speed of service and simplified store operations, including self-adhering cartons and redesigned carryout bags.
Identified and implemented $10 million in annual packaging cost savings across all system packaging.
Coordinated launches of promotional packaging under tight timelines, from package and creative development to production and implementation.
Initiated program to write and maintain packaging specifications.

Hunt-Wesson Foods, Inc., Irvine, CA, 1986 - 1996

Serving the positions: Project Leader, Senior Packaging Technologist, and Packaging Project Engineer.
Brand responsibilities included: Snack Pack Pudding (Aseptic), Snack Pack Juicy Gels (Aseptic), Swiss Miss Gels (Refrigerated), J. Hungerford Smith Sauces (Aseptic), Microwave Manwich (Frozen) and Wesson Oil.
Developed clear pudding cup material for aseptic thermoform/fill/seal machines. Soon became the industry standard for clear high-barrier TFFS cup material.
Led the development and commercialization of a successful new bottle design and drip-free dispensing closure for a flavored cooking oil product.
Headed technical team that developed blister-pack insert and application equipment for pudding package.
Developed and implemented cost savings programs of over $100 million a year that included package redesigns and source reductions.
Assured package compliance with laws and regulations regarding food safety, fair trade, transportation and environment.
Supported packaging operations during start-up of new and modified packages.
Purchased and installed packaging equipment to expand production capacity.

Chevron Chemical Company, Maryland Heights, MO, 1985 - 1986

Packaging Engineering Specialist for Ortho Brand Consumer Products Division, Lawn and Garden Products Manufacturing Facility.
Developed packaging for various agricultural chemical products, both liquid and dry.
Monitored packaging line set-ups and wrote instructions for the line operators and mechanics.
Performed new package qualifications on production lines for agricultural chemicals.
Made several design improvements of existing packaging equipment that improved operating efficiencies.

Norcliff Thayer, Inc.,(Glaxo SmithKline), St. Louis, MO, Assistant Packaging Manager, 1980 - 1985

At the manufacturing facility responsible for the scheduling and supervision of 40-60 packaging employees.
Wrote GMP and operating manuals for department employees.

Credentials

Graduate level courses - Polymer Science Applied to Packaging, Permeability and Shelf Life, Michigan State University
Certified Packaging Professional (CPP), Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP)

Academic and Professional Affiliations