Engineering Manager, Project Manager

VERNON T. WHITAKER, PE

***** ******* **., ********, ** 91355

323-***-****, ***************@*****.***,

www.linkedin.com/in/vernontwhitaker

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Engineering Manager with extensive demonstrated expertise in managing teams

and project execution in manufacturing of consumer packaged goods and

building projects. Uses collaborative management style to direct diverse

teams to achieve business and technical objectives. Experienced in

automated, high-speed food and beverage packaging and processing systems.

Established track record of successfully implementing wide range of

projects. Championed production capacity and efficiency improvements

through skillful project management including budgeting, scheduling,

specification, design, procurements, installation, start-up, and debugging

of manufacturing equipment. Proficiently manages multiple projects

simultaneously in fast paced environment.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SUGAR FOODS, Los Angeles, CA 3/2010 - 7/2013

Engineering/Maintenance Manager

Managed 12 member engineering and maintenance team over two Bakery sites.

Oversaw improvements in production efficiencies and KPI metrics. Led

development, implementation, and coordination of capital budget to improve

and maintain equipment at three Bakery facilities, located in Los Angeles,

Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Project development including concept, design,

layouts, cost estimates, cost justification; research and selection of best

equipment and project submittals with timelines and contingencies. Total

project management including periodic updates to all stakeholders, project

installation/commissioning, cost control, project performance and project

closing. Managed design and installation of:

. New 38,000 ft2 production facility built in Philadelphia for packaging

dried fruit. Met a very tight timeframe of only 5 months.

. High-speed stuffing packaging Line, increasing capacity 100%.

. 8,500 lb/hr crouton drier processing Line, increasing capacity 30%.

BARRY-WEHMILLER DESIGN GROUP, Cerritos, CA 2008 - 2010

Project / Construction Manager

Directed project teams consisting of engineers, designers, and contractors

while successfully managing large capital projects for food and beverage

clients. Projects range in size up to $18MM.

Tropicana/Naked Juice Co., Industry, CA

Performed Construction Manager tasks for fruit juice processing systems.

Projects include new RO Water System, new Aseptic Product Piping and CIP

System.

E&J Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA

Performed Construction Manager tasks for a new $18MM high speed (240 bpm)

Wine Bottling Line. Responsibilities included contractor management, budget

& schedule management, and start-up support. Project achieved budget,

scope and schedule goals and observed vertical start-up.

Performed Design/Build activities for new 350K Gallon Brandy Tank. Project

consisted of budget & schedule management, vessel & foundation design,

process piping & controls, 12,800 sq ft containment basin, office

relocation, construction management of warehouse demolition, containment

wall, piping, electrical install, vessel erection, passivation &

insulation, commissioning and start-up. Project achieved budget / scope

and schedule goals and observed vertical start-up.

Pepsi Bottling Group, Wytheville, VA

Performed start-up and commissioning activities for new blowmolding

equipment at Pepsi Bottling Group plant. Project included three new Sidel

Blowmolders and associated bottle storage and handling equipment.

Coordinated equipment set-up and operator training. Achieved performance

criteria across a wide range of bottle sizes with carbonated and non-

carbonated beverages.

MARS 1990 - 2007

Mars Petcare US, Vernon, CA & Franklin, TN (2002 - 2007)

Project Manager

Led project teams consisting of engineers, designers, and contractors while

successfully managing large capital projects for wet and dry petfood in

pouches, cans, bags, and flowwrap, as well as new buildings. Projects range

in size up to $28MM.

. Reduced labor costs by 30% and increased capacity by 40% by implementing

an automated packaging line for multi-variety multi-packs of Whiskas

catfood pouches.

. Met a very tight timeframe of only 4 months, and saved $285,000 while

managing build-out of 121,000 sq.ft. Corporate office for Mars Petcare in

Nashville.

. Earned Corporate "Make a Difference' award for executing an emergency new

production line for "Pedigree Jumbone" dog treats in only 3 months, when

BSE (mad cow) crisis closed Canadian border to imported beef products.

. Executed seismic upgrade and re-roofing of corporate office building in

Los Angeles on time and under budget under adverse wet winter weather

conditions.

Ethel M Chocolates, (division of Mars), Henderson, NV (1998-2002)

Engineering Manager

Managed 6 member group of engineers, designers, and technicians while

successfully managing an annual budget of $2.5MM. Managed all engineering

activities at 140,000 sq. ft. Henderson site, including process and

packaging equipment for gourmet chocolates, building improvements,

utilities, and controls.

. Reduced labor costs by 50% and increased capacity by 25% by implementing

automated packaging systems for seasonal molded chocolate bars.

. Earned corporate "Make a Difference" award for designing and installing

new processing and packaging systems for roll-out of new Disney character

shaped chocolates within tight budget and time constraints.

M&M Mars, Albany, GA (1990-1998)

Senior Packaging Engineer

Managed of a group of 7 engineers, designers, and technicians while

successfully managing an annual capital budget of $3.5MM. Managed design

and implementation of automated, high-speed packaging lines for new and

existing snack food and confectionery products. Redesigned existing

equipment to improve reliability, efficiency and capacity. Supervised

contractor and vendor personnel during installation, start-up, and debug

phases of projects. Implemented wide range of high-speed packaging

equipment, including form-fill-seal equipment, cartoners, case packers,

robotic loaders, thermoformed packaging, and paperboard canisters.

. Reduced labor costs by 60% by automating Combos brand snacks packaging

with high-speed baggers, robotic carton loaders, and automatic case

packers.

. Reduced labor costs by 50% through design development of unique multi-

lane inverted wrapping equipment to wrap new product called Starburst

Fruit Twists.

PHILIP MORRIS USA (division of Altria), Richmond, VA

Senior Packaging Engineer (1986-1990)

Managed and coordinated efforts of project teams consisting of Philip

Morris engineers, designers, contractors, and vendors for designing,

fabricating, specifying and purchasing automated packaging equipment for

cigarette products. Managed projects for modernizing and automating

packaging equipment in manufacturing facilities. Designed and implemented

packaging machinery modifications to improve efficiency, reliability, and

quality.

. Managed 15-person design team in successful development of high-speed

packaging equipment for new "Superslim" cigarette product.

. Managed successful integration of new generation of high-speed cigarette

makers and packers into manufacturing plants.

. Improved product quality by implementing automatic video inspection

systems on cigarette packers.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

. BS Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 3.2GPA (top

15%)

. Virginia Tech Graduate Engineering - graduate level Engineering

Administration courses, 3.8GPA

. Various technical and management courses involving Project Management,

Presentation Skills, Finance, ERP, Packaging Line Design, SPC, SQC, Lean

Six Sigma, Leadership and Facilitation Skills, High Performance Teams,

Crisis Management, and Influencing Skills.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Professional Engineering License (Number 040*******)

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME):

Chairman Southwest Georgia Group, Chairman Central Virginia Section

Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP)

Virginia Tech Alumni Association

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