Sales Project Manager
Resume:
KARL M. RITTER
Albuquerque, NM
********@*****.*** 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
Contact this candidate