Manager Chemical Engineering

Erin J Wilson

*** ****** ***** **********, ** ***08

Email Address: ************@*****.***

Mobile Phone: 412-***-****

CAREER SUMMARY

Highly motivated and skilled research & development and quality professional with over 16 years of experience in all aspects of food production, specifically on shelf stable food products in various packaging, using various retort systems. An extremely detail oriented leader that drives for the best results.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

COORDINATED, as Project Director, the efforts of Production; Research and Development; and Technical Support personnel the scheduling and implementation of all heat penetration tests required for the start-up of a new factory. Result: Achieved timely and effective factory start-up with full customer satisfaction enabling 4MM cases of production in 9 months.

FORMULATED an entire line of 7 new soups deemed as being superior to the competitor. Result: Gained $400K annually for one of the largest multi-national food producers while also maintaining existing business; eliminated competitive products from the customer shelf and increased presence of our products.

CREATED 3 premium soups designed for a specific multi-national food producer. Result: Gained 100% of the business while generating over $800K annually.

ASSISTED and supported Marketing with technical presence by attending sales calls on both new and existing products. Result: Assured $6MM business by significantly improving Customer relationships and developing an on-going partnership with key accounts.

EVALUATED equipment used in the production of popular brand of condensed soup for a multi-national food producer. Result: Solved equipment issue; saved $150K annually in potentially lost business.

LED ‘In Control and Capable’ (ICC) and ‘First Run Capable’ (FRC) programs by managing process development issues. Result: Improved ICC by 30% and FRC by 6%.

ANALYZED defective, substandard, problem batches for an international manufacturer of coatings. Result: Reduced and eliminated defective batches by 35% and increased savings by $100K annually.

DEVELOPED procedures and trained over 1000 employees through conference calls. Result: Saved $10K in down-time by avoiding both the need of hiring outside trainers and also the need for employee travel.

NEGOTIATED ingredient prices with major suppliers; which included looking for flavor matches, new vendors and working with current vendors to reduce pricing. Result: Saved $200K in ingredient costs annually.

MANAGED a group of 7 Quality Control Technicians responsible for approving product shipments for over 700 different can coating formulations. Ensured no interruption of business or revenue stream. Result: Improved operational efficiency by 30% and increased production by 1650 units.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RIVERBEND FOODS Pittsburgh, PA 2017-Present

VP Research & Development and Quality Assurance

Deliver on financial commitments for the business. Improve operational performance and capabilities: SKU Rationalization / Complexity Reduction; Ingredient Consolidation; Create operational flexibility; Cost Savings. Deliver on growth platforms with excellence and increased speed. Build a cohesive Team that shares a strong vision and commitment to delivering the Riverbend Promise, Values, and Financial Goals. Deliver 20% reduction in consumer complaints. Deliver 25% reduction on product holds.

BAY VALLEY FOODS Pittsburgh, PA 2015-2017

Sr. Director Research and Development

Led the Team of the Meals Division that includes Soup/Broth/Gravy, Infant Feeding, Dry Dinners, and Hot Cereal. Ensured proper execution of critical initiatives that improves the overall profitability of the Meals Division and company. Critical initiatives include: simplification/cost savings, formula consolidation, ingredient cost savings, SKU rationalization.

Director Research and Development 2014-2015

Led the soup team to drive standardization and rationalization of formulas, processes, and ingredients across the system. Applied best practices to the standardization, simplification, and cost savings of a separate business unit that had more complexity. Played a vital role in winning a baby food bid where team was closely involved in the start-up and commercialization of these products. Key member to the acquisition and eventual integration of another business.

Senior Manager Product Development 2013-2014

Managed 5 salary and 3 hourly employees. Worked on cost savings projects that improved margins without an impact to overall quality. Drive $3.0MM in annual savings, $1.5MM in 3011 savings. Supported key operational projects to improve the overall performance of the soup business. Key projects include: soup to the hydrostat, double pocket fill for RTS products, infant feeding pasteurization which freed up 17 hydro shifts. Gained 56 formula approvals for no-MSG and reduced sodium sku’s.

Manager Product Development 2011-2013

Gained additional responsibility which includes: be a technical leader for the largest retailer, which maintained $7MM business; supported key operational projects to improve the overall performance of the soup business such as: convert condensed soups to a different process saving the company $800K; improve factory yield.

Food Scientist, Research & Development 2008-2011

Worked with the marketing groups to generate product and packaging innovation that drove growth in new retail segments which includes: developed and commissioned 6 shelf stable non-dairy creamers in the tetra prisma container.

EDUCATION

B.S. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA

B.A. BIOCHEMISTRY MERCYHURST COLLEGE ERIE, PA

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