Packaging Engineer

MATTHEW D. KEMP

Current: *** ****** **** *******, ** 14580

585-***-**** *********@*****.***

OBJECTIVE

Seeking a full time employment opportunity which will allow me to contribute to the growth and success of a highly regarded organization and expand my knowledge and grow within the Packaging field.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Goal oriented individual with excellent communication, analytical and leadership skills. Continuous learner that excels in highly collaborative cross functional team environments; identifying and investigating challenges as they arise. Always working to obtain creative solutions to meet project objectives while utilizing an up-to-date knowledge of Packaging materials and manufacturing processes. Proficient in Extrusion Blow Molding, Injection Molding and Extrusion Stretch Blow Molding.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mondelez (Remote) Webster, NY

Technical Project Engineer/Packaging October 2021 – Present

Packaging productivity improvement leader responsible for identifying, investigating and executing cost savings, process improvement and quality improvement packaging opportunities cross-categorically between Halls, Biscuits and Gum&Candy brand teams.

Ferrero Franklin Park, IL

Packaging Deploy Engineer April 2020 - December 2020

Packaging materials and processing technical expert directly responsible for the timely execution of Holiday and Assorted brand team assignments from a Development, Deployment and Cost Savings perspective. Provide educated input pertaining to packaging requirements to cross functionally build timelines, prioritize activities and track progress. Complete plant level support role for greater US Packaging brand teams; ButterFinger, BabyRuth, Crunch and 100 Grand for Franklin Park, Bloomington and co-packer manufacturing locations.

100% on-time delivery of proper industrial documentation (aggregate codes, technical drawings, technical sheets, SNP workflow) and industrial deployment of local projects for the Region, which guaranteed the correct implementation of the packaging projects ranging in scope from graphics updates, quality improvements, bag and box resizing, film and board material harmonization for cost savings to new product development. Deliver new structural design and process solutions, meeting the expectations of each marketing brief.

Improved overall finished package quality which in turn corrected the in-house and customer warehouse stackability issues that plagued Nestle for years. Worked closely with Quality to develop their “Best Practices for Finished Packaging” SOP for the manufacturing and handling of finished packaging. Achieving best practices for forming and handling finished packaging has the potential to save 200k by drastically reducing damage and rework.

Developed the packaging flow chart outlining each manufacturing line in Franklin Park, Bloomington and each Co-packer location, to be used as a de-risking tool for the US Packaging team as all brands transition from Nestle to Ferrero, which lists the performance capabilities of each piece of equipment, the speeds and bottlenecks of each line, and provides costs associated to running from a labor and material standpoint.

Commercialized an OPP static overwrap film to replace the PVC overwrap formally used by Nestle on all concession boxes. Quickly organized materials with the film supplier and coordinated with Nestle plant In Burlington to perform qualification test using the new film. Qualifying the new film before the packaging line moved to Canton Ohio allowed Ferrero to immediately begin production using OPP, following Ferrero’s strict no PVC policy.

Mizkan Americas Mount Prospect, IL

Senior Packaging Engineer June 2016 – April 2020

Packaging R&D lead for the Vinegars and Peppers business category. V&P brands include; Tres Hermanas, Four Monks, Natures Intent, Barengo, Holland House, La Prefereda, Rio Luna along with many private label brands. Work cross functionally within the Vinegar brand teams to help Identify actions, assist timeline development and provide transparency to our deliverables from a Packaging standpoint. Work closely with material suppliers and manufacturing plants to ensure all timeline actions are met and properly tracked to completion. Drive synergy between corporate counterparts and our plants to ensure cross-functional alignment for each project.

Responsible for upfront packaging innovation research, new package development and qualification, cost savings initiatives and the continuous improvement of existing packaging, packaging processing and internal technical specifications for new/existing packaging.

Develop unique test plans that meet both Mizkan requirements and industry standards, per ASTM, ISTA, GPI and SPI. Perform tests either in-house or at third party laboratories. Travel to supplier and Mizkan manufacturing plants to lead all packaging driven line changes and qualification runs.

Subject matter expert for many packaging structures, materials and manufacturing processes related to glass bottles and jars, HDPE bottles, PET bottles, 2-3 piece steel cans, liquid and IQF Bag-in-Box, aseptic packaging as well as many closure types and secondary packaging.

Identified and commercialized a brand new BPANI can liner that replaced our BPA can liner across the entire Peppers business. We were the first to qualify a comparable BPANI replacement liner for acidified canned foods that meets California’s Proposition 65 requirements.

Successfully transitioned entire glass jar and bottle business, that was once single sourced, over to two new glass suppliers, saving the business $2.3MM annual savings.

Designed a new HDPE 128oz bottle that can run harmoniously at all five of our unique bottling plants and product lines, corrects a number of historical quality issues in our distribution and warehousing environments and gives us the ability to fit more bottles on store shelves, dramatically improving our sales.

Church & Dwight Co, Inc. Princeton, NJ

Packaging Engineer April 2014 – June 2016

Packaging business unit lead for OxiClean Additives which included roles in powders, liquids, gels and unit-dose pods. Supported additional brands such as Arm & Hammer and Xtra.

Subject matter expert for flexible film, Injection molded structures, extrusion blow molding as well as various corrugate and paperboard structures.

Worked cross-functionally on multiple high performing teams. Drove collaboration for new project initiatives and brand maintenance objectives by engaging and supporting team mates in a targeted timely manner.

Managed line trials and performance based testing for qualifying new packaging, new suppliers and any changes to existing packaging.

Strategized and developed qualifications to reduce Packaging materials for optimized tertiary and secondary packaging within the Powder Laundry portfolio, resulting in a combined $1.5MM in cost savings.

Carefully delegated sensitive technical information to crucial counterparts within the business for specification creation, brand maintenance projects, product/package compatibility reports and graphic updates.

Awarded the 2015 Quality Recognition Award for R&D Packaging.

MARS Petcare, US Franklin, TN

Packaging Contractor October 2012 – May 2014

Conducted line trials and performance based testing to identify efficiencies and cost savings initiatives within the flexible film portfolio. Achieved a total of $2.5MM in cost savings.

Actively participated in a highly motivated team environment, delivering technical know-how and insight to relevant topics.

Led over 20 projects throughout the Wet Dog and Care & Treats portfolios, bringing success to their activity teams by way of strategic prototyping, technical feedback, strategic testing and Packaging/ Process line trials.

Identified and qualified numerous material and equipment optimizations that in turn drove MARS closer to their sustainability goals and revved up efficiencies at the plant level.

Delivered project objectives, on-time, with a 100% success rate.

Supported and influenced associates on their line trials, lab testing, specification creation and packaging development which in turn allowed me to develop a higher level technical skills cross-functionally.

Coordinated and led successful Product/Packaging line trials and start-ups at manufacturing and co-packing sites. Initiated conversations with crucial stake holders and drove collaboration. Developed and implemented each plant trial’s objectives and Design of Experiment for each.

Managed the Packaging Laboratory and Analytical Kitchen. Responsible for the functionality and calibration of lab equipment. Wrote standard operating procedures for all lab equipment. Trained associates how to properly use test equipment and the importance of proper PPE.

EDUCATION

Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY

Bachelor of Science: Concentration in Packaging Science, Associates: Applied Science, Minor: Packaging Science MAY 2012

Honors: Deans List – 2011, 2012

CONTINUED EDUCATION Michigan State “Better Process Controls School” Purdue University “Aseptic Processing and Packaging Workshop” Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance Course AMA “Getting Results Without Authority” Silgan “Closure University” Graham Packaging “Plastic Mold Processing and Technologies”

COMPUTER Artios CAD Solidworks TOPS CAPE SAP FRC Microsoft Lotus Notes

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