Project Manager Sales
Resume:
MICHAEL G. LOWRY
**** ***** ****** ******, **** 3
Harwood Heights, IL 60656
*************@*****.***
TOP DESIGN ENGINEER & PROJECT MANAGER
* VALUE ENGINEERING & INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
* PRODUCT VISION & EXECUTION
* RETAIL STORE FIXTURES & POP DESIGN
Highly skilled and accomplished Design
Engineer offering an impressive 25+-year
background in the direction, leadership and
management of major retail store fixture and
industrial design projects. Consistently
produce results that exceed client and
corporate expectations, including cost,
design, quality and performance.
Results-oriented and detail focused, with a
proven record of achievement in custom product
development, value-engineering, cost control,
workflow process solutions, and key account
management. Detailed knowledge of sustainable
materials and methods used in manufacturing -
to achieve LEEDS accreditation.
Creative, resourceful and analytical, with
solid problem-solving abilities. Outstanding
communication skills, written and verbal.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, AutoCAD 2008
(2D), and Solidworks 3D software
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
* Design & Value Engineering
* Product Design & Development
* Major Account Management
* Retail Store Fixture/Display
* Business Process Improvement
* Cost/Budget Administration
* Revenue & Market Growth
* Project Lifecycle Management
* Strategic Planning/Execution
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Pexco, Inc., Des Plaines, IL
2009 - 2010
North American leader in the design and
fabrication of extruded plastic products.
DESIGN ENGINEER
Design and value-engineered custom profile
extrusions, injection molded, and wire products
for key company accounts ($500K-$1M+) along
with accurate prototypes using Dimension BST
SLA machine. Reported to corporate vice
president of sales.
Worked closely with engineering and
manufacturing personnel, sales force, and
directly with key customers to develop
solutions increasing sales by 15%, maximized
retail maintenance efficiencies,and enhanced
customer shopping experience leading to increased
sales for major retail accounts including Target,
Walmart, Sears Holdings, Kroger, and HEB.
Developed product database of all manufactured
components to be used as an internal research
tool, as well as, providing documentation in
support of website catalog development.
Regularly participated in Kaizen events leading
to more efficient work flow processes, improving
company communication objectives, as well as,
increasing total project accuracies in all
key areas.
Designed and developed a new work process flow
and project request form that improved internal
communications, work process flows, and
collaboration between departments leading to
efficient, timely, and increased accuracy on
quotations.
Performance Display, Inc., Grimes, IA
2007 – 2009
Award-winning manufacturer of custom-designed
POP displays and retail store fixtures.
DESIGN ENGINEER
Designed and value-engineered custom retail
store fixtures and POP displays, and led major
design and construction projects ($50K to
$250K) for key company accounts. Reported to
corporate vice president.
Worked closely with clients and design teams
to determine each project’s unique
specifications, and performed detailed project
cost estimates. Consistently delivered
products to objective, on time and under
budget, saving the company up to 20% in project
costs with zero impact to product quality or
design.
Improved project efficiency and performance
company-wide through the redesign of major
workflow processes. Designed and developed a
cost estimation program that significantly
improved project coordinators’ ability to
develop accurate quotes for a variety of
design projects.
Provided guidance in the use of sustainable
and recyclable materials and methods used in
manufacturing store fixtures; helping clients’
meet the requirements needed to achieve LEEDS
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) accreditation and be recognized as a
“green” store or business.
Managed LEEDS process during the construction
of a new facility for a custom display
manufacturer. Worked with the builder to
incorporate energy-saving electrical and
plumbing fixtures, HVAC and other energy-
saving features needed for facility to receive
LEEDS accreditation.
Midwest Woodworking, Inc., St. Louis, MO
2006 – 2007
Major retail fixture design and manufacturing
firm serving many of America's leading
retailers; creating custom fixtures and POP
displays that utilize a wide range of
materials, such as wood, metal, glass and
plastics.
CONTRACTOR: PROJECT MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING
Project Manager on several key retail client
projects. Designed and engineered custom
retail store fixtures and architectural
millwork. Oversaw entire project lifecycles,
from cost estimation through delivery and
installation. Provided detailed documentation.
Led professional teams. Reported to company
president.
Designed and implemented a coded labeling
system for retail fixture shipments that
significantly improved shipping accuracy and
enabled general contractors to quickly
identify and install millwork components.
Cytex Plastics, Inc., Houston, TX
2005 – 2006
Global manufacturer of in-stock and custom
retail merchandising solutions, producing
custom retail fixtures, in-store POP displays,
graphics, and advertising signage for
retailers, brand marketers, printers,
advertising agencies and display producers.
PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEER
Managed major accounts, including the
identification and development of new product
lines, maintenance of product forecasts, and
delivery of comprehensive product training.
Reported to Vice President of Sales.
Designed, developed, and implemented new
extruded profiles to the marketplace, and
created and maintained engineering
documentation for existing product lines.
Collaborated with marketing and internal
management in the selection of products to
support the 2005 catalog, and successfully
developed several new product lines for
introduction in 2006.
Redesigned and led construction of the new
Cytex trade show booth, and coordinated its
use at trade shows.
Fast Industries, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2001 – 2004
Leading manufacturer and supplier to the
largest retailers and POP display
manufacturers in the world, offering 8 brand
name product lines that add value and enhanced
functionality to retail display fixtures.
PRODUCT DESIGN & ENGINEERING MANAGER
Led the design, development, and
implementation of new products to market,
including full accountability for product line
management. Supervised a professional team of
designers and die shop personnel.
Traveled domestically and oversees to meet
with new and existing clients. Presented new
product lines and delivered product
demonstrations that clearly defined and
communicated product advantages. Cultivated
and maintained quality business relationships
and generated long-term customer commitments.
Directed product installations and provided
design consultation. Performed patent
research, improved quality and definition of
business procedures, and provided product and
technical training to Sales.
Redefined and strengthened workflow processes
for new product development, and integrated
improved work instructions, engineering
standards and quality programs in support of
ISO 9001 certification.
Developed plastic extruded and injection
molded components used to hold electronic
labels in domestic and oversees grocery
accounts, working in close collaboration with
the NCR Corporation.
Awarded 18 US Patents for various labor saving
label holders.
Sports Authority, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1999 – 2001
The #1 US sporting goods chain, with more than
400 stores in 45 states. The Sports Authority
sells sporting equipment, general merchandise,
shoes and apparel, with a focus on premium
brands. #140 in Forbes Largest Private
Companies.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER
Managed interior, retail construction re-
models for sporting goods retailer, working
closely with internal management, store
personnel and construction subcontractors.
Maximized store sales and new business revenue
through development of store merchandising
programs.
Developed job cost estimates, project budgets,
project schedules, and benchmarks. Delivered
project status reports to corporate
leadership.
Designed and implemented a new cash wrap/POS
store fixture system that saved 25% in costs
while substantially improving front-of-store
aesthetics and commercial appeal.
Fixture Contracting Company, Inc.
St. Louis, MO
1994 – 1998
General contractor and local custom millwork
company generating sales of $15M through the
manufacture of low to mid-range hotel
furniture; serving customers that included
Hilton Hotels, Hampton Inn, Schnuck Markets
and Shop-n-Save, among others.
MANAGER; DESIGN & ENGINEERING
Designed and engineered custom store fixtures,
cabinetry, and architectural millwork.
Managed project budgets, cost estimates and
project leadership for store remodels, office
restorations, new construction and tenant
finish projects.
Developed new bulk food department for grocery
chain that increased sales by 20%.
Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, MO
1980 – 1994
Largest manufacturer and distributor of
greeting cards and related products in the US,
sold under brand names such as Hallmark,
Shoebox, and Ambassador with $4.4B in sales.
MERCHANDISING DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Developed and implemented permanent and semi-
permanent merchandisers, and oversaw retail
execution of marketing and merchandising
programs for the Ambassador and Hallmark
brands.
Enhanced merchandising strategies and improved
communications between divisions, reducing
lead time to market by 50%. Designed and
implemented a full line retail fixture system
for a major social expression company that
saved the company 25% in initial costs, while
increasing overall sales.
Created and implemented a seasonal store décor
redeployment program that produced an annual
savings of $1M for a social expression
company, while decreasing discards to
landfills by 50%.
Awarded a US Patent for an evolutionary
greeting card display along with POPAI OMA
awards.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS - 1980
* BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE
* INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA
* MERIDIAN LODGE AF & AM
* SHRINE HOSPITALS OF NORTH AMERICA
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