Below are some examples of my successes (allowing for client confidentiality):

Meeting challenging design briefs

• Developed novel thermoformed PET and cartonboard packaging for fresh fruit products, as solutions for meeting challenging design briefs from customers/Marketing Dept.

Applying existing packaging to new products and making cost saving improvements (£300k/year)

• Produced in the UK under licence from Japan, a system to allow the venting of steam from rice in a ready meal was applied to frozen vegetables. Although the application was initially developed by colleagues in Germany, I was instrumental in redesigning the packaging and launching what has become one of Birds Eye's most successful products in recent times.
• The original venting system and associated film specification was very expensive. I realised that a much simpler home made vent would achieve the same result at a fraction of the cost. I saved the company approximately £300k/yr.

Launching new products in a short time frame

• The marketing brief for a high value product (soya) specified a metallised film with a gussetted bag. This had never been attempted at Birds Eye in Lowestoft and retro-fitting the bagging lines and developing the packaging was challenging with a short launch window.

Rationalisation to reduce costs and improve systems

• Combined with a factory project to improve asset utilisation (24hr working) and the need to reduce complexity, I rationalised bag and corrugated case dimensions from 70+ to 30. This led to standard bag widths, case footprint dimensions and pallet layouts, which greatly simplified changeover operations for both Birds Eye and the packaging supplier.

Computerised specification and environmental reporting system

• Using the some of the skills from my post-graduate diploma in IT, I developed a database system for product specification and for providing reports to comply with packaging waste regulations.

Product Development

• Working with co-packers I helped to develop a new range of sea-food and vegetable products under the Birds Eye brand, for export and UK markets

Feasibility studies

• Following a marketing design brief I undertook a Europe wide investigation into the production feasibility of a tetrahedral (pyramid) bag for a range of Birds Eye products. This required mock-ups, drawings and frequent contact with machinery suppliers

Benchmarking

• Analysed the packaging used by retailers and other brands and identified opportunities for improvement, as well as data to back-up sales and marketing claims

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