Product Development Business Operations

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Will Barajas

Riverside, CA

Cell: 626-***-****

**********@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Engineering Executive with 20 years of Business Operations, Project Management, Product Design and Engineering, and Manufacturing expertise. Demonstrated career history of exceeding project/timeline deliverables, corporate performance metrics, and customer expectations. Highly experienced with leading and coaching global cross- functional teams. Extensive international experience with strong technical acumen, and a deep understanding of diverse cultural and business practices.

Effective Leadership Business Operations Engineering and Manufacturing

Global Acumen Budget & Capital Management Product Design

Strategic Planning Regulatory Compliance Quality Assurance

Change Management Process Development Program Management

Team Building & Development Legal & Intellectual Property Management

Product Launch Execution

WORK EXPERIENCE

Product Development and QA Manager (July 2024 – Present) EGR, Inc. – Ontario, CA

Reporting to the COO. Lead and execute New Product Development direction with emphasis on product line expansions. Work with Sales and Operations Teams to vet out feasibility of new materials with existing manufacturing capacities, while delivering high end results. Reduce warranty and quality claims by driving VOC, QA, and Engineering Metrics, not only to determine root causes, but to find opportunity for improvements on cost, quality, and customer expectations. Manage program deliverables with reporting to Owner and Executive Committee on product launches, including diversification of suppliers.

Key Accomplishments:

• Established a US Launch Programs/Requirements for products previously manufactured in AUS, meeting the demand and business strategy established for the US Division.

• Led the diversification of raw materials and supplied goods from vendors, including QA requirements for master samples and incoming goods.

• Sourced supplier partners for production of US Sales samples due to customer demand.

• Increased production efficiencies by sourcing alternate materials, which reduced first pass yield.

• Increased production outputs by establishing stage gate processes, which reduced machine downtime. Sr. Manager of Product Development (August 2013 – December 2016) Sr. Manager of Product Development and Quality Assurance (January 2017 – June 2024) Nexgrill Industries, Inc. – Chino, CA

Reported directly to the CEO. Lead and execute Global New Product Development direction through successful product, program, brand launches, including life cycle management. Manage Retail Partner portfolios and ensure successive annual rollouts of value-added profitable products. Host Executive Plan Board meetings and present proposals for innovations and new categories. Member of Nexgrill Business Committee working directly with Retail Partner’s key stakeholders to identify areas where products can be elevated or introduced. Member of Legal Committee working directly with 3rd Party Administrators as Technical and IP Expert to identify areas where products’ safety, quality, and Intellectual Property are being defended. Work with overseas manufacturing team to ensure design, costs, timelines, testing and quality requirements, and specifications are aligned to expectations of the internal business and customers.

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Key Accomplishments:

• Led the design and developments on Global introduction of Gas Grills, Smart Grills, Charcoal Grill, Griddles, Pellet Grills, Fire Pits, all while conducting cross-functional training between 7 R&D Engineers and 4 PQA members to better understand the market demands for Quality, Performance, Craftsmanship.

• Led development and launch of initial Nexgrill/Home Depot partnership award of 13 grill SKU’s. Increased Revenue Generation: $126MM (2015).

• Led development and launch of initial Nexgrill/Home Depot partnership award of 87 grill tools, replacement parts, and grill cover SKU’s. Increased Revenue Generation: $29MM (2016).

• Responsible for development, launch, and patent protection of the Nexgrill Evolution Infrared Plus family in North America, South Africa, and EU. Increased Revenue Generation: $45MM (2017-‘21)

• Led development and launch of initial Nexgrill/Walmart partnership award of 8 grill SKU’s. Increased Revenue Generation: $68MM (2018).

• Successfully re-engineered Nexgrill products and awarded Consumer Reports’ #1 Grill in the industry for 4 straight years (2016-2019)!

Product Development Engineer II (Valdosta, GA, August 2007 – August 2013) Product Development Engineer (Chino, CA, August 2004 – July 2007) Jacuzzi Group Worldwide – Chino, CA and Valdosta, GA Reported to the VP of Engineering. Responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and implementing new products as a Product Development Engineer/Project Manager. Responsible for designing and developing added features to existing product lines to help motivate the sales of product. Implemented Cost Savings measures to product lines through Bill-Of-Materials Audits and Labor Router evaluations. Key Accomplishments:

• Developed a new Jacuzzi Walk-In Product Line. Increased Revenue Generation: $27MM* (2009-‘13*).

• Led the development and launch of initial Jacuzzi/Lowes partnership award of 10 whirlpool bath (Primo Collection) SKU’s. Increased Revenue Generation: $84MM (2008-‘12).

• Led product launch (Factory Transfer) of Jacuzzi Luxury Collection from Chino, CA to Valdosta, GA (2008). Relocation Offer/Promotion Accepted in 2007.

• Successfully developed and implemented a new product line for Builders (Signature Collection) to attract a market share not previously tapped. Increased Revenue Generation: $66MM (2004-‘12). PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive Leadership in Project Portfolio Management, Research and Development, Program and Retailer Strategies, and Quality Control.

• Execution of Program Launches from conceptualization through final design/implementation.

• Assignation as technical expert in lexicography for Intellectual Property and Trademark persecution.

• Legal Deposition Technical Expert.

• Provide production method possibilities considering cost, quantity vs. quality, and budget.

• Emphasis on product quality and safety, improved technology, following and exceeding compliance with industry standards set forth through electrical and plumbing codes.

• Design prototypes to develop specifications for materials, final shape, size, color schemes.

• Liaison between Purchasing, Quality Control, and our Asian suppliers to ensure component accuracy.

• Currently hold multiple Utility and Design Patents for BBQ grills and whirlpool jets.

• Expert knowledge and use of Adobe Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

• Expert knowledge and use of Microsoft Suite: Project, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Industrial Design – 2004

ITT Technical Institute – San Bernardino, CA

PATENTS

D620598 - Water Jet (US Patent)

D629116 - Water Jet (US Patent)

EP3373783B1 - Barbecue Grill Heating And Smoking Plates And Method (International Patent) US10058212B2 - Barbecue Grill Heating And Smoking Plates And Method (US Patent)

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