Manager Chemical Engineering
Resume:
Don Leonard
Greater Los Angeles
***********@*****.***
SUMMARY OF SKILLS
●25+ years in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry with a concentration in new products and product innovation in the nutritional products category.
●Developed and launched 50+ products to market.
●Cross functional teaming with Marketing, Quality, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Engineering and Operations.
●Proven track record of success of product concept to commercialization.
●Expertise in project management.
●Strong knowledge and skills in Product/Process Development and Operations/Production.
●A voracious study of consumerism translating market trends to consumer valued goods.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
Haute Avion Beverly Hills, CA
Investor 2016-2020
Investor in a creative concierge service for the travel sector for high profile customers. Networked on various platforms to increase clientele base.
ThinkThin, Inc. Culver City, CA
Director, R&D 2014-2015
Responsible for the operations of the R&D department supporting New Products and Base Brand Marketing. Managed a product development professional and the work of the co-manufacturer’s R&D. During my tenure, I oversaw the development and launch of Bites, three (3) new flavor SKUS, and compliance of ingredients and finished products with Non-GMO Project. Developed and built R&D/product development lab within corporate headquarters.
BeachBody, LLC El Segundo, CA
Sr. Manager, Co-Pack Operations 2013
Responsible for the co-manufacturing operations for the brand’s nutritional supplements including Shakeology. Sourced and set up contracts for new manufacturing facilities. Assisted Purchasing in sourcing novel ingredients including pea protein.
Nestle Nutrition-Performance Nutrition/PowerBar Glendale, CA
Manager, Technical Services Applications 2003-2011
Responsible for all technical aspects of the PowerBar brand. Collaborated with Brand Marketing to develop and commercialize new concepts for the Performance Nutrition category. During my time there,
I executed PowerBar Beverage System, Pria Carb Select, Triple Threat, Bites, 3 new Performance SKUS, Elite Series System, Stick Packs, Powdered and Ready-to-Drink Beverages. Was primary product developer supporting Marketing Innovations. Engineered a new line for the production of PowerBar and Protein Plus Bites. Sourced and qualified new ingredients. Developed HACCP plans. Conducted audits of raw ingredient suppliers and contract manufacturers. Managed analytic testing of finished goods and,in conjunction with Genesis and 21 CFR, developed NLEA labels.
Soft Gel Technologies, Inc. Los Angeles, CA
R&D Project Manager 2002-2003
Responsible for managing the relationships between co-manufacturing clients and Soft Gel Technologies R&D. For a variety of co-manufacturing clients, developed formulas on bench and scaled them up for production. Developed and implemented and cross function and company-wide project management tool for a more robust production order to customer delivery scheme. Developed and harmonized the ingredient and finished product specifications. Instituted a cross-functional brainstorming forum with the purpose of identifying new product ideas capitalizing the soft gelatin capsule format.
ConAgra Grocery Products 1995-2000
Manager, Product Development Fullerton, CA
Technical Brand Manager for Rosarita Refried Beans, Rosarita Sauces and Salsas, formulated tomato products including Manwich and Hunt BBQ Sauces. For the Rosarita Brand, developed an ethnic targeted refried SKU, a salsa that won a national restaurant award and an innovative cheese dip product/process that keeps the piece identity of vegetable particulates. For the Manwich brand, Identified cost savings by optimizing formula and production generating significant savings to the bottom line. Skilled and knowledgeable in thermal processing of high acid and low acid foods as certified by Better Processing School. Filed formulas and processing with the State for approval on a frequent basis.
Taco Bell Corp/PepsiCo. Irvine, CA
Associate Manager, Product Development 1993-1995
Responsible for the development of ingredients and recipe development of menu items supporting the Taco Bell restaurants. Commercialized an array of ingredients including wet sauces, dry mixes, meats, breads and shells. Supported Marketing by developing a significant number of menu items to fill the pipeline. Played a key role in the ingredient and menu item development in support of the Border Lites project; the first better-for-you menu in the Quick Service Restaurant category. Formulated the fat free sour cream.
Kraft-General Foods Glenview, IL
Engineer, Product/Process Development 1990-1993
Product and process development engineer in the Frozen business unit supporting the Cool Whip and Jell-O brands. Developed formulas on bench, scaled to pilot plant research and eventually, to factory production. Strong knowledge of fats/oils chemistry, emulsion technology and the frozen foods category. Developed and commercialized Cool Whip Chocolate.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Northeastern University Boston, MA
Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering 1987
University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA
Candidate for Certification, Project Management 2020-2021
AFFILIATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Member, American College of Sports Medicine, ServSafe certified.
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Avid follower of amateur sports and the Olympic movement. Former competitive athlete in speed skating and crew. Follower of fashion, lover of dogs and a dancer of the lindy hop.
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