Manager in Plastics in Medical devices, packaging, consumers segments

RAJESH VARMA

• *******@*********.*** • 925-***-**** (C) • San Ramon, CA

OBJECTIVE

To seek a management position with an organization focused on product innovation where I can effectively utilize my management experience and education background. I am highly energetic and bring a unique combination of business development and technology mangement experience in materials innovation within medical devices, packaging and consumer segments.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

New Business/Market Development, Analysis, and Management

Lead Corporate Key Growth Initiatives

Manage and Motivate Cross-Functional Teams

Global Customer Support and Product Launch

R&D and Analitical Lab Management in Polymeric Materials

EXPERIENCE

Director of Technology/New Markets Oct. 2008 - Present

TASZ Inc. (Neocork) Benicia, CA

A global supplier of synthetic wine corks produced via patented co-extruded thermoplastic foam process with annual sales of $12 million. Manufacturing in N America and Europe with over 300 global customer spanning all continents.

Ownership for product innovation and building the Neocork brand. Responsible globally for product development group, supply-chain and qualifications at large accounts.

Key Achievements:

Directed a successfully product launch of next generation products involving three international manufacturing facilities. Gained 30% in product improvement and 18% in cost reduction. 100% sales converted to new products.

Expedited product development & launch by identifying and contracting key technology centers including Universities (Berkeley, San Jose State and Rockford) industry leaders on their innovative resources.

Initiated relationships and qualified new developed products at 3 of the 5 large target customers.

Key participation in company’s acquisition to new ownership in 2010 involving a comprehensive experience to business law, IP license terms and resolving numerous complex contractual agreements.

Commercial Innovation Manager Jan. 2004 - Oct. 2008

PolyOne/GLS Corporation McHenry, IL

A specialty Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) compounder with over $180 million in annual sales servicing the Consumer, Packaging, Medical Devices, Electronics and Industrial markets. Global leader in TPE’s with 7 manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe and North America.

Responsible for developing market studies on potential new markets, identify un-met needs and develop fundamental understanding of technical and commercial strategy required to penetrate the markets. Screen and funnel appropriate programs in organizations innovation pipeline. Primary focus on Medical Devices, Packaging and Consumer markets.

Key Achievements:

Contracted research with technology leaders to shorten speed to market, developed new market strategy, identified and initiated relationships with target customers and coordinated product launch with sales, manufacturing and R&D teams.

Commercialized a unique pharmaceutical closure design. First ever use of two-component inject molding for drug packaging. Commercialized a high barrier shipping tank bladder used for bulk shipping of sensitive liquids.

Performed market study on needle-free systemes and initiated relationships with key market leaders. Collaborated with Goodyear Chemical to develop a innovative product to replace silicone/isoprene rubber in needle free systems (US patent 7015284).

Conducted a detailed market study for flexible barrier films used in food packaging, bio-pharma and IntraVascular (IV) medical devices. Initiated relationships with customers in US and Europe; coordinated new technology development with R&D; launched a very innovative technology to address the un-met needs in current products.

Product Development Manager Jan. 2001 - Dec. 2003

GLS Corporation McHenry, IL

Responsible for Product Development (compounded plastics) and Analytical groups (group of 9 professionals) along with member of the Stage-Gate Management Committee. Ownership to technology development for top 10 (77% total sales) customers.

Key Achievements:

Developed R&D strategies to address key product weaknesses from a technological and marketing perspective.

Instrumental in efficiently coordinating incoming product development projects with optimum utilization of analytical and polymer processing labs. Increased efficiency of on-time project completion by 18%, and improved output by 23%.

Formulated and implemented a quantitative performance appraisal/bonus rating for the group to balance individual contribution as well as to promote teamwork. Five new technologies developed by collaborative work by the group.

Managed an annual budget of $1.5 million. Streamlined expenses by eliminating duplication in service expense, optimized accounting practice, and improved budget forecasting.

Managed development programs between GLS and GE Plastics & DSM.

Experience with patent prosecution, analysis, and litigation; key contributor to successful defense in a patent defense case in Europe.

Materials Scientist Jan. 1996 - Dec. 2000

GLS Corporation McHenry, IL

Responsible for developing analytical lab capabilities and product development for top 10 customer accounts.

Key Achievements:

Built and managed a multifaceted analytical laboratory with rheological (DMTA, Parallel Plate Rheometer, Capillary Rheometer, Brabender), thermal (TGA & DSC), infrared (Ft-IR, ATR, Ft-IR Microscopy, TGA-Ft-IR Interphase), gas permeability (OTR, MVTR), liquid/Gas chromatography (GPC, GC-MS & HPLC) and mechanical/outdoor (Instron, UV etc.) test equipment’s. Creative methods development by combining instrumentation.

Developed formulations and process development of extrusion, co-extrusion, two component injection molding, blow molding, fiber spinning and blown/cast film.

Worked on mold, die design, screw design to improve process and throughput.

Worked extensively in developing product technologies using Styrenics, Urethanes, Siloxane, Co-polyesters, Olefins and other engineering resins.

Developed TPE products for a wide variety of closures and gaskets used in liquid packaging. Products currently commercial at BD, Baxter, GlaxoSmithKline, B Braun and Tyco. US patent 7056971, & one pending

Developed materials for Gillette, Gerber, Motorola, Nike and Mattel with improved functionality including ergonomics, vibration reduction, feel and chemical resistance.

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (MBA) 1998-2001

Illinois Institute ofChicago Chicago, IL

Master of Science (M.S) in Polymer Engineering 1996-1998

Thesis: Synthesis & miscibility studies of block co-polymers.

University of Akron Akron, OH

Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Chemical Engineering 1990-1994

Osmania University Hyderabad, India

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Patents: 2 published and 3 pending

Conference papers and presentations: 7 domestic and 2 international

Publications: 2 Journal and 2 Professional magazine publications

Experienced in regulatory (FDA, USP & EP), compliance (UL & REACH) and IP protection.

Continuous education: Human Factors for Medical Devices (AAMI), Extractables & Leachables (PDA), Conceptual & Strategic Selling (Miller Heiman); The Basics of Food Packaging Regulations (Keller & Heckman); Liquid Chromatography & Methods Development; Mold-flow Simulation; FEA fundamentals; DOE.

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