KARL M. RITTER

***** ********** ***** **

Albuquerque, NM

jwvkxq@r.postjobfree.com 630-***-****

SUMMARY

Versatile and effective Packaging Leader with extensive and wide-ranging skills. Global experience in project

management, innovative packaging solutions, supply chain cost reduction and quality requirements. Proven

history of working with major retailers and Fortune 500 corporations to produce positive and quantifiable

outcomes in cost reduction, performance enhancement and sustainability improvement. Co-developer of the

Walmart right sizing concept. Core competencies lend strength to:

Extensive global retail package development

In-depth working experience in China for Walmart, Sam’s ClubOffice Depot and many others

Exceptional innovative abilities in concepts and packaging systems

Strong technical abilities and regulatory knowledge

Packaging cost reduction, value stream analysis and sustainability impact

Principle inventor for twelve US Patents

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SERENITY PACKAGING CORPORATION, Chicago, IL 2010 - Present

Sales Engineer

Maintain and grow a $12MM national account and ancillary suppliers' packaging needs.

Responsible for monitoring and coordinating quality and service requirements for these locations.

Troubleshoot mechanical, structural and supply chain packaging issues.

Director of Quality

Manage ISO Quality Metrics, tracking and coordination of training, corrective action management and vendor

audits.

Oversaw major projects involving value stream analysis of customer packaging and packaging systems

for enhanced sustainability, productivity, cost reduction and performance improvements.

Interacted directly with customers for package development projects to ensure quality standards.

Lincoln Award (Baldrige Criteria) examiner.

EXCEL CONTAINER, Naperville, IL 2007 - 2010

Design Services Engineer

Oversaw the development of display and industrial packaging solutions for local and regional accounts.

Developed internal training programs, and evaluated materials testing and supply chain performance.

This information was utilized to teach sales new approaches to sales resulting in additional opportunities

and increased sales revenue.

Coordinated a major materials testing initiative evaluating a wide range of corrugated material

constructions.

SMURFIT-STONE ENTERPRISES, Westmont, IL 2001 - 2006

Global Packaging Services Manager, i2i (2004 - 2006)

Managed multi-location of design and testing staff for international retail packaging and organization-wide

technical expertise in international supply chain package and package systems development. Key developer of

the Right-Sizing and Shelf-Sizing retail initiatives.

Led succesful transformation of several major private label packaging categories for major retailers,

domestically and in Asia.

Identified multiple margin improvement and cost reduction opportunities through supply chains

exceeding $1,500,000 in one year.

Developed private label packaging programs in various categories for Wal-Mart, BJ’s and Office Depot

at Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dongguan locations. Outcomes included improved communication

between Asian and US design and sales service staffing, improved skill levels for Asia design centers

and $19,000,000 in sales to the i2i organization.

KARL M. RITTER page 2

Directed developmental teams in the redesign of packaging for several Wal-Mart private label lines

including Mainstays and Gibson Dinnerware; Home Trends RTA home furniture, lighting and outdoor

furniture; and Kid Connection toy packaging. Total benefits included: 4,368 ton reduction in corrugated

materials, 1,271 total container savings, $6,100,000 total ocean freight savings, improved shelf

presence and damage reduction.

Operations Manager, Packaging Solution Centers (2002- 2004)

Managed a multi-location retail packaging development system, including package engineering, graphics design,

pre-press production, retail packaging specialists and customer service with an annual salary and operational

budget of over $2.8 million.

Managed a paradigm shift to a profit center operational mode.

Identified and managed a program for realizing $600,000 in packaging/logistics savings for a large,

multiple sku private label line.

Developed and promoted a complete, multi-tiered high visibility packaging program including designs,

materials and process development potentially leading to $15 to $20 million in new sales opportunities.

Wrote overseas packaging guidelines for Wal-Mart, BJ’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and others.

Developed domestic and international packaging for other big box retailers including: Home Depot,

Lowe’s Home Improvement, Sears, K-Mart, Family Dollar, OfficeMax, Office Depot and Linens 'n Things.

Senior Packaging Consultant, Marketing and Technical Center (2001 – 2002)

Performed on-site analysis of manufacturing and distribution facilities with the goal of identifying and quantifying

system-wide cost reduction opportunities.

Identified over $4 million in verifiable savings in one year at key accounts.

Particiated as a member of the Fibre Box Assocation Common Footprint committee.

Executed major projects successfully for Nabisco, Ocean Spray, Smithfield, Gateway, Costco, Liberty

Hardware and others.

WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY, Aurora, IL 1998 - 2001

Divisional Project Manager, Center for Customer Satisfaction

Oversaw development of packaging and packaging systems for major national accounts.

Developed and executed a major distribution study involving mixed custom pallet delivery systems for

Kraft Foods and introduced new structures for a major closed loop system for Frito-Lay resulting in

increased package life cycles and reduced overall system costs.

JEFFERSON SMURFIT CORPORATION,Chesterfield, MO 1996 - 1998

Package Development Manager, Chesterfield Technical Center

Managed package development for major national accounts through direct customer,interface, customer facilities

surveys for cost and performance improvement and development of marketing programs for national and local

sales efforts.

Developed a greenfield packaging program for Premium Standard Farms.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & MEM

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