R&D Manager
Resume:
Mound, MN ***** JEFF VELANDER Telephone: 952-***-****
************@*******.***
QUALIFICATION SUMMARY
Proven experience in driving growth across multiple business categories, including convenient stores, food service, military, schools, bakeries, super centers, and retail grocers
Demonstrated success in developing new products that have provided incremental sales growth across multiple food categories, including meat, pizza, baked goods, snacks, cereal, bars, dairy and natural & organic
Innovative and strategic leader with extensive experience in product & packaging development
Self-directed and assertive team builder with exceptional problem-solving and technical abilities
Excellent interpersonal, supervisory, people development and communication skills
Demonstrated experience in managing high performing teams with large project workloads in a cross functional environment
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2010 - Present General Mills Minneapolis, MN
R&D Manager
Manage product and packaging teams in providing annual objectives, work delegation, project support, training and personal development
Collaborate across functions in creating and advancing product pipelines across multiple brands and customer programs
Provide leadership to key customers by collaborating with sales in progressing current NPD initiatives, securing new business opportunities, and providing pipeline strategy
Develop and advance key strategies for product and packaging innovation, renovation and cost savings
Lead identification and advancement of strategic product and packaging ideas based on consumer, customer, and business needs
Provide leadership to drive results across functions and ensure R&D has a strong voice amongst the business teams
Lead competitive assessments and develop business strategies based on the results
Provide technical insights through initial product concept, validation and final product shelf-life while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance
Oversee material specification and nutritional labeling for new products and maintenance
Collaborate with procurement in developing supplier partnerships to fully leverage their capabilities
Manage the R&D team budget within 1% of the target year after year 2003 – 2010 Boston Scientific, Inc. Maple Grove, MN R&D Engineering Manager
Managed high performing team of Engineers and Technicians
Directed cross functional packaging development projects from concept to commercialization
Identified, developed and executed key corporate initiatives in the areas of continuous improvement, quality and innovation
Oversaw packaging related documentation, including technical reports, test protocols/reports, specifications, test methods and standard operating procedures
Facilitated plant trials and process validations
Developed an innovative package that earned a patent (Catheter Packaging within a Sterile Barrier - US Patent 04-0041; 1001.1774101 and European patent 05724615.9-2310-US2005007105 2
P A G E 2
4949 Three Points Blvd
Mound, MN 55364 JEFF VELANDER Telephone: 952-***-**** ************@*******.***
1998 – 2003 Belae Brands, Inc. Shakopee, MN
New Product Development Manager (2001-2003)
Led the product and packaging development for a variety of consumer product platforms
Managed and expedited purchase orders for consumer packaging materials and product components
Established and maintained partnerships with suppliers to ensure cost, quality and lead times
Directed product development with contract manufacturers locally and internationally
Developed packaging to meet ASTM/ISTA testing requirements and quality standards
Managed the packaging lab and coordinated all product and package testing Packaging Engineer (1998-2001)
Designed, developed and qualified product packaging
Supported product launch teams for the planning and developing of new products and packaging
Authored material specifications, bill of materials, test plans and packaging assembly instructions
Solved packaging component problems and other discrepancies in the warehouse and assembly locations
Implemented a variety of primary and secondary packaging components, including thermoforms, paper board, corrugated, bottles, closures, displays, foam, set-up boxes, labels and flexible packaging
Facilitated trial runs of product and packaging on production equipment
Wrote and updated procedures for the New Product Development department 1997 – 1998 3M Company St. Paul, MN
Packaging Engineer (Co-op)
Implemented a variety of packaging components for 32 new and existing products
Participated on cross-functional product launch teams
Generated packaging cost estimates, material specifications, standards and CAD drawings
Wrote test protocols/reports and conducted testing to qualify product packaging 1996 – 1997 Kapak Corporation (Ampac) Minneapolis, MN Packaging Engineer
Researched and developed flexible packaging designs and materials
Generated material specifications and determined manufacturing machine capabilities
Performed laboratory tests and authored technical reports on the results EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin – Stout Menomonie, WI
Bachelor of Science degree – Packaging Engineer
Emphasis Area: Design, Research and Development
Cumulative GPA: 3.3/4.0 GPA in Major: 3.7/4.0
Carlson School of Management Minneapolis, MN
Executive MBA
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