Engineer Project Manager

JAMES J. BELCASTRO

*** *********** ******, **** *****, Illinois 60068

312-***-**** (mobile) and 847-***-**** (home)

***.*********@**.***

SUMMARY

Strategic multi-faceted mechanical engineer/MBA with solid experience in robotics and other leading

technologies, as well as proven abilities to take projects from concept to execution through exceptional

engineering, project management, financial analysis, operations support and customer relations skills. Award-

winning expert in delivering innovative food and beverage packaging solutions for such global industry leaders

as Kraft Foods and PepsiCo.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wynright Corporation, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 2012-Present

Senior Automation Engineer

Deliver solid solutions development, project engineering and overall project management, sales support and

customer relationship management for palletizing and other leading edge material handling systems for food and

beverage manufacturer customers, as well as customers in other industries. Developed and in process of

executing new strategy to expand Wynright’s business beyond traditional automated material handling systems

to address customers’ other manufacturing and packaging needs.

PepsiCo, Chicago, Illinois 2005-2012

Principal Engineer

Successfully provided a broad range of strategic engineering, project management, financial analysis and overall

operations support to PepsiCo’s Quaker Foods and Snacks, Gatorade and Frito Lay divisions in a multitude of

industry-leading packaging solutions. Highlights of major achievements include:

Developed the concept for, and managed the implementation of, a new innovative green packaging

solution for the Quaker Chewy Granola Bars manufacturing line in Danville, Illinois that uses stickers,

rather than cartons, to package bars.

Created unique concept for Quaker Chewy Granola Bar (peanut free) product manufacturing line in

Peterborough, Canada that decoupled packaging and processing. Managed overall project, including

highly complex installation. $9M project was on time and on budget, yielded an increase in capacity by

~30%, reduced scrap in excess of 50% and won the Supply Chain’s “Above and Beyond Award.”

On an urgent basis, led numerous aspects of the June, 2008 flood remediation and rebuilding efforts for

the Cinnamon Life Cereal product manufacturing line, along with the redesign and rebuilding of the grain

mill bin complex in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Designed a significantly more efficient standardized approach for the Quaker Chewy Granola Bar product

manufacturing lines at a complete scope and cost of ~$36-38M per location. Concept could replace

existing line in Danville, Illinois and be added as new lines in other manufacturing locations.

Invented and implemented a multitude of leading edge technological solutions including a precision

package verification system (“Project Eagle Eye”) and a standard Quaker Oats tray wrap renovation.

Kraft Foods, Inc., Northfield, Illinois 1999-2005

Associate Technical Principal, Packaging Equipment Development

Consistently high performer on complex high risk projects, as demonstrated through progression in responsibilities

from single-line development projects to global platform development projects.

JAMES J. BELCASTRO (continued)

Researched and developed variety of new technologies implemented across numerous company sectors.

Identified and created solutions through automation to implement new product launches, enhance product

and packaging quality, increase line speeds, reduce labor and improve ergonomic conditions.

Created current equipment solution and integrated software solution provided by external vendor to

address original “slap and ship” Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) requirements required by

numerous major retailers. Developed long-term manufacturing solution for implementation of RFID, on-

line packaging quality assurance (i.e., the correct product in the correct package) and generic case

packaging program.

Concepted, developed and executed packaging line for Easy Mac® project that won Packaging

Machinery Technology Magazine’s first Packaging Line of the Year Award (see cover article in

September/October 2005 edition of PMT).

Won 7 “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” awards for achievements that include development of

automation platform for assembly of “Ready to Eat” meal kits (e.g., Oscar Mayer Lunchables®),

machinery and materials development of Easy Mac® and presentations to Kraft’s Board of Directors,

senior leadership and outside equity analysts on new global technology and automation platforms.

Among group of 4 Kraft employees awarded patent in 2005 in connection with self-browning tray design

for microwavable food products.

Landis Plastics, Inc., Alsip, Illinois 1997-1999

Corporate Automation Engineer

Developed innovative state of the art approaches to automate 5-location manufacturing company through the use of

6-axis and Gantry robots. Designed standard automation packages for use throughout Landis, as well as its

customer facilities (e.g., Kraft Foods and General Mills), to reduce labor by more than 65%. Managed all aspects of

capital automation projects from concept through completion.

ACCO USA, Wheeling, Illinois 1996-1997

Cell Engineer

Engineered methods to improve production in the Vinyl Department while reducing labor costs through developing

workflow enhancements, redesigning machines and managing capital projects, all from inception to completion.

Maintained daily contact with all manufacturing line workers to ensure proper functioning of machines.

Contributed to the opening of the California vinyl plant by redesigning and automating assembly machines.

FANUC Robotics North America, Inc., Elk Grove Village, Illinois 1996

Project Manager

Delivered 9 on-time profitable projects for this Chicago area branch of a multi-national robotics corporation.

Managed all aspects of projects including finances, assembly, purchasing, engineering, outside consultants,

installation and de-bug. Developed and implemented efficient systems and methodologies.

Reis Robotics, Elgin, Illinois 1994-1996

Project Engineer/Mechanical Engineer

Engineered innovative mechanical system layouts, machine designs and specification of electrical components.

Assisted in managing several aspects of projects, including financial analysis, assembly, purchasing, engineering,

outside consultants, installation and de-bug. Effectively and efficiently fulfilled customers’ business needs.

EDUCATION

Illinois Institute of Technology Stuart School of Business Master of Business Administration 2000

Northern Illinois University Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering 1996

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