(HEATHER ODERKIRK

Akron, Ohio ***** 330-***-**** adgxqw@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/heather-oderkirk-69844727

PROJECT MANAGER

Team Leadership Product Development Stage Gate

A dynamic and high-energy Project Manager offering 15+ years of experience in product development through delivering unique solutions across global industries. Recognized for strategic planning by utilizing a lower cost structure to drive profits for new products. Immense success in end-to-end project oversight during each phase by designing and streamlining lean-agile change and team development practices. Proficient in analyzing data, establishing budgets, and project proposals for feasibility and pricing. Possess outstanding leadership in establishing clear timelines and overseeing project deliverables for over 50 projects. Technical proficiencies include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, WebEx, Dropbox, Basecamp, and TGI.

Market Research & Management

Pragmatic Marketing & Sales

Project Management

Product Development Lifecycle

KPIs, Metrics & Focus Groups

Lean Manufacturing

Quality Assurance

Stage Gate Processes

Budgeting & Cost Mitigation

Private Label Brand Implementation

Risk Management & Forecasting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MEGGITT (Akron, Ohio) 3/2019 – 4/2020

Project Manager, Applied Research & Technology (COVID-19 Reduction in Force)

Led cross functional teams ranging from 3 – 7 engineers across multiple domains including mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and carbon (material scientists); increasing operational efficiency by 15%.

Strategic driver in the implementation and rollout of a Stage Gate process for Applied Research & Technology.

Minimized company risk and financial inconsistencies by overseeing budgets exceeding $2M.

Identified target audience objectives by maintaining consistent communication with Vice President of Engineering to drive research initiatives, achieving 100% alignment for 10+ projects.

Spearheaded two invention disclosures within the first year of employment that increased the overall patent portfolio for the company.

Instrumental in the successful funding of an Applied Research & Technology project totaling $108,000 for a 9-month period.

Employed a new Stage Gate process to produce technology initiatives through TRL4.

ROOT CANDLES (Medina, Ohio) 6/1993 – 3/2019

Project Manager (7/2014 – 3/2019)

Improved product launch efficiency for 20+ products ranging from 90 days late to attaining 100% on-time launches.

Influential in a product rebrand, increasing margins approximately 5% across multiple formats.

Initiated company vision by partnering with marketing, graphic designers, sales, production, and consumer-packaged goods expert to coordinate projects and mitigate downtime.

Promoted within 24 months from Senior Chemist to Project Manager for talent in collaborating across multiple departments and teams to drive new product launches including marketing, research and development, sales, and manufacturing.

Organized Stage Gate meetings with Senior Staff to gain approval on projects, increasing the company’s overall market shares and profits for 50+ new product launch introductions.

HEATHER ODERKIRK RESUME PAGE TWO

Chemist (6/1993 – 7/2014)

Recognized for contributions to producing an all-natural wax blend for a Scrape Surface Heat Exchanger (SSHE) process, which initiated a cold-pour process for candles.

Strategic in the hiring and onboarding of 6 new hires for the Quality and Research & Development Team., ranked highly for attention to detail and performance.

Led color teams for 10+ years in color development and stability for new product development.

Achieved the honor of producing “the best burning candle on the market” by working through production challenges that occurred while operating in a 75 year-old plant.

Pioneered the burn standardization in a laboratory while overseeing the team responsible for test execution; reducing overall complaints and recalls from safety issues by approximately 10%.

EDUCATION

BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY (Berea, Ohio)

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

UNIVERSITY OF AKRON (Medina, Ohio)

Supervisory Leadership Training

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

AKRON METRO FUTBOL CLUB, Team Manager

FIRESTONE HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER, Uniform Manager

RESNIK COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER, PTA Treasurer

BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY (SOCCER), NCAA Division III Athlete

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