Engineer Development
Resume:
Elizabeth Kirchner
** **** ** ********** ** *****
************@*****.***
CAREER PROFILE
PACKAGE ENGINEER
Experienced packaging engineer, with 15 years experience in leading cross-functional teams in new package development and product restages. Combines excellent project management skills with domestic and international package development expertise. Dynamic communicator, facilitating problem-solving and project alignment both vertically and horizontally with internal and external team members. Visionary and detail-oriented communicator, capable of communicating strategic plans succinctly, while highlighting critical nuances and facets of a project. Diverse, in-depth knowledge of personal care and pharmaceutical product packaging components, including plastic bottles, closures, tubes, aerosols, labels, cartons, displays, and secondary and tertiary packaging. Knowledgeable in SAP, cGMP’s, ISTA, and ASTM. Consistently recognized for effective communication for a unified vision and action plan, intuitive people skills, and facilitating best practices with both internal and external partners.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Class of 2000
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Competitive Innovation Media, PA
Package Engineer
Drive development with packaging component companies and outside testing facilities on CRC testing and protocols for personal care products. Collaborated with Regulatory on acceptable standards for CR closure systems and commission testing if required.
Requalify the packaging structures and perform the IQ/OQ/PQ for a new manufacturing facility for the Diagnostics Brand for the packaging lines.
Redesigned and requalified a new blister system (fill-form-seal technology) for the SpinBrush Brand at a new third party manufacturer by leading the overall project and the various steps (i.e. sampling approvals with Marketing, various material qualifications, OQ/PQs and final release testing)
Communicate regularly with the China subsidiary on package development and testing that is manufactured in China. Manage the China engineers on specific projects and hold weekly meetings to communicate the project updates.
Provide packaging engineering support for Homecare marketed products for Consumer Goods Company. Develop test protocols, executed line trials, established test methods and standards, manage timeline and COGS/cost savings and complete packaging specifications and bill of materials.
Drove line efficiencies improvements (i.e. OAE) for large bolt and lock company and collaborated in brainstorming sessions with vendors and primary shareholders.
Responsible for consumer insights with large coffee manufacturer and drive packaging designs that meet the “Voice of the Consumer” (VOC). Organized and provided support for on-site evaluations of coffee equipment and packaging interaction with consumer.
Provide technical support for companywide glue qualification which totaled an estimated cost savings of $2 MM. Support included: line trials, development of FMEAs, development of SIPOCs, development of Pareto charts with eight domestic manufacturing facilities, developing new test methods and standards, interaction with glue supplier on chemistry and interaction between substrate and glue and final reports/specs.
Support medical device Product Development on new product launch and ran line trials at third party manufacturer and coordinated packaging design to allow for a product that met Marketing’s overall margins.
2011-Present
Church and Dwight Co., Inc. Princeton, NJ
Package Engineer – Global Package Development
2002-2011
•Served as the point person for all Nair depilatory related package designs and
developments, manufacturing operations, and project management for new product
launches. Executed a minimum of four new product launches for Nair from concept
to commercialization annually.
•Developed, tested and launched new Trojan Vibrations line and worked with China office for all testing procedures. Led package development team and coordinated all internal team members’ efforts with the component suppliers, multiple contract manufacturers and contract warehouse employees. Took concepts developed by the Marketing Design Agency that was not manufacturable and transformed it into a package design that exceeded Marketing expectations. Responded to each project challenge quickly and professionally.
•Launched the packaging introduction of the Orajel MyWay package on an accelerated timetable, reducing the standard product launch timetable from 10-12 months to 6 months. Package included an airless pump system and unique secondary package.
•Identified, recommended and specified package designs and process improvements to improve existing packages and reduce COGS across Personal Care business units.
•Executed the integration of long-term "green" positioning in new package designs for Nair and Vibratory categories with elimination of PVC materials. Support and comply with the Wal-Mart sustainability program. Networked with Marketing to compile an accurate list by eliminating discontinued SKUs and adding SKUs that were accepted into Wal-Mart post launch.
•Led a cross functional team to develop and create a standard plant line trial request process. Obtained management endorsement in 2008. Provided training to all domestic C&D manufacturing locations as well as the R&D Package Development department with the use of SOPs and on-line training in 2009
•Manage projects (across all business units) to meet timelines while utilizing a vast technical knowledge regarding the complexity and timing for the package development process.
•Deliver a process for China packaging development and provide training and documentation. Collaborated with Spinbrush Package development Team to understand established Package Development best practices. Created a standard process flow to improve efficiency for China package development.
•Participated in outside consumer research groups for Women's and Sexual Health. Recognize and understand the importance of Voice of the Consumer and makes it a priority to attend focus groups and contribute to ideation sessions with Marketing to develop new product/package concepts.
•Integration with new SBU, Spinbrush, and planned for a smooth transition for new product launches. Developed a trusted relationship with the Oral Care team. Used thermoform expertise to manage the Wink (new product launch) package development with precision to maintain the Q2 2010 product launch.
•Qualification of various contract manufacturers and working on cross functional teams to bring unique filling capabilities to CHD
•Development of Nair 2AET aerosol system and worked with vendors on bringing new technology to CHD (bag on valve system) for 2008 launch. Collaborated with contract manufacturers and vendors on testing requirements, specification requirements and quality inspections for packaging componentry. Integral part of the product team involved with trouble shooting issues, investigating Quality defects and managing on- going brand maintenance post launch.
•Incorporate DFM principals in new packaging designs especially in packages slated for domestic manufacturing facilities. Worked with the plant packaging line operators and Quality to ensure that new packages will run at existing line efficiencies. Consistently kept the target COGS in mind as package options were developed.
•Executed cost saving projects of up to $500,000/year. Projects including down gauging for secondary thermoform clamshells, material reductions for corrugate shipping containers and material qualifications of more cost effective resins and/or colorants for blow molded bottles.
•Led and organized a thermoform technical platform which explored innovative technologies in thermoforming, visited with suppliers to better understand cutting edge manufacturing opportunities and compiled a database for all thermoformed parts within CHD.
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Collegeville, PA
Associate Package Engineer – Global Packaging Services 1999-2002
•Developed, issued and maintained a living specifications database for all current and new packages.
•Maintained timelines and metrics of OTC and RX specification development
•Worked with manufacturing locations that produced Advil, Chapstick, Robitussin, Preparation H, Dimetapp, and Children’s Advil and developed specifications, executed line trials and qualifications, and conducted testing for new and current packaging componentry
TRAINING
Quality Systems Training (Eduneering)
CAPE Systems
SOP Protocols, ASTM Standards, ISTA Standards
MS Office (Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Word)
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