SUMMARY
Senior R&D executive with strong record of new product launches, productivity, and acquisition integration at Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, and The Coca-Cola Company in Product and Packaging innovation, Process Development, Engineering, Consumer Research, and R&D Strategy in food, beverage, personal care, and household product categories. Key skills are building technical organizations in both strong and tough times, creating the simple from the complex, matching consumer needs with technology opportunities, developing people through coaching, and leading diversity initiatives.
Jan 2005 – Dec 2007. THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, Atlanta, Georgia
Vice President – Product Development, Innovation, and Technical Guidance (Consumer) Research, The Coca-Cola Company, North America business. Led a two-site group of 55 employees for a $8-9B revenue business and $9MM budget; increased staff by nearly 50% (1/2 women and 1/2 people of color) through incremental consumer and technical programs, reporting to Sr. VP of North America Innovation.
• Led group in developing an annual new product pipeline of over $75 MM gross profit, while shifting resources to more financially attractive initiatives.
• Initiated and implemented an Ingredient Productivity strategy worth $17 MM in ’08 bottom line savings, and identified resource and prioritization plan
• Implemented programs to establish a Global Juice Center of Excellence to drive Minute Maid technical and market share leadership.
• Developed and implemented strategy for a new Technical Guidance (consumer) Research group within R&D to identify bigger pipeline of new product, package, equipment opportunities and establish consumer-driven development approach.
• Developed and implemented strategy for four new consumer-driven, technology platforms to drive revenue growth (wellness and energy).
• Developed and implemented worldwide IP strategies and processes to build opportunities and prevent issues.
• Increased focus on People Development by identifying stretch assignments, and creating an employee-driven initiative for increasing synergy, and resource sharing across the two North America sites, resulting in improved morale and effectiveness.
1988 – 2004. KRAFT FOODS INC., Glenview, Illinois
Vice President – Global R&D Packaging. 2003-2004. Led 225 employees with a $30MM budget for North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific for package innovation and cost savings; reported to Executive Vice President of Global Technology.
R&D Innovation Accomplishments—Launched innovative packages worth 30-35% ($330MM) of annual New Product Revenue with strong proprietary position (40 new patent filings); includes Ritz Chips expansion, Tassimo on-demand coffee, DiGiorno Microwave Rising Crust Pizza, and Kraft Mayo (up to 13% volume increase). Received 4 external Packaging Innovation awards including DuPont Gold for Ritz Chips, Highest Achievement Flex Packaging Association Award for Toblerone.
• Gained portfolio alignment with Global Marketing VPs for innovation pipeline.
• Established exclusivity agreements and developed global supplier relationships.
• Enhanced Intellectual Property process resulting in 2-3X historical patent filing level.
Cost Reduction—Exceeded goal with $94MM savings for 5.7% Cost of Goods Sold.
Business Integration—Established global vision and strategies for new Global Packaging organization within one month of adoption of global business model.
• Led global R&D Packaging integration with 14% downsizing
• Established global best practices (commercialization, 5-year platform roadmaps)
Vice President North America R&D Strategy, Packaging & Engineering. 2000-2003. Led 250 people with a $25 MM budget, to develop North American R&D Strategic Plan, new packages, and preliminary engineering; reported to Sr. VP of R&D.
R&D Innovation --Delivered 30-35% of new product revenue based on Packaging innovation; exceeded packaging innovation goals of $250MM revenue by over 10% in ’03. Included: Kool Aid Jammers, Altoid Strips and Sours, Cheese Shreds slider/zipper, Go Paks, with 5-30% volume increase and $30-125MM incremental revenue each.
• Implemented first global patent estate management process for Global R&D Product Development. Delivered 15 packaging patents per year.
• Received 9 External Packaging Innovation awards in ’03, double previous years.
• Initiated and implemented improved commercialization best practices for R&D and Operations, and Engineering, decreasing capital misses by 92%.
Cost Reduction – Led Packaging cost savings of $97.4MM in ’03 (up 21%); 5.5% COGS.
• Co-led a Stretching Capital initiative, saving 9% ($38MM) in spending.
• Delivered preliminary engineering (costs, schedule, scope) for initiatives of $400MM capital with Internal Rate of Return of 25-45%, and savings up to $20MM per project.
Business Integration -- Managed the R&D Strategy communication for Wall Street during Nabisco acquisition/IPO and the first R&D Long Range Strategy.
• Integrated Kraft and Nabisco Packaging and Engineering for R&D and Operations.
• Led newly formed R&D Engineering group in establishing vision and strategies, resulting in improved delivery and organization development, with increased female and people of color representation (over 70% of new hires).
• One year after integration, Packaging and Engineering survey showed 75% agreement with positive statements regarding strategic direction, organizational influence, delivery, and career development.
• Increased internal corporate communications for Packaging via CEO support. Led to highest-ever level (10%) of internal transfers into Packaging, exceeding goal.
Senior Director (R&D Lead): Meals & Enhancers Division ($2.5B revenue), Kraft Foods R&D Sensory, Consumer Research, & Innovative Applications Groups; Kraft Foods R&D Growth Sponsor. 1996 – 2000. Responsible for 60 people and $8MM budget for developing new products, consumer research, and cost savings, reporting to General Manager of Meals & Enhancers Division and Sr. VP of R&D.
R&D Innovation -- Launched several new products of $30-$100MM revenue including Stove Top Oven Classics (CEO Superior Achievement Award for team), EZ Mac, Healthy Salad Dressing Line.
• Co-sponsored a Divisional Functional Foods Strategy; progressed two salad dressing initiatives with an external FDA-approved technology for health claims.
• Implemented 3 patented technology platforms for convenient meals.
• Obtained CEO and Operating Committee agreement to growth measures and quarterly tracking for Kraft North America R&D.
• Sponsored Kraft R&D Innovation team which led earlier, bigger concept identification and increased utilization of an improved innovation process.
Cost Reduction—Completed productivity initiatives for $6MM savings.
Business Integration —Led development of Division R&D Vision, Mission and Strategies and shifted resources from 10-26% on $50-100MM programs.
Organization Development—Expanded Hispanic presence by initiating Upward Mentoring Program to Operating Committee participation and building University of Puerto Rico recruiting, with 80% retention after 5 years.
Quality—Led Division R&D role in Special Situations, including publicTaco Bell supplier issue by identifying key information required and alternative solutions.
Director, Kraft R&D Strategy. 1993 – 1995. Reported to the Sr. VP of Kraft Foods North America R&D. Developed products in several categories using pre-FDA approved technology while pursuing a potential Joint Venture; led R&D Strategic Plan.
Associate Director and Section Manager, Refrigerated Cheese Division. 1988 – 1994. Reported to Vice President, Refrigerated Cheese Division R&D and led 33 employees and budget of $5MM. Proposed to Kraft CEO and gained incremental funding to deliver first Worldwide Cheese initiatives for $4MM productivity and food safety. Received Sr. VP Award for commercializing Kraft Free Singles ($30MM rev).
1978–1988. PROCTER AND GAMBLE CO.
Bar Soap & Household Cleaning Products Division and Beauty Care Division, Group Leader
• In Total Quality (TQ) Management role at Chicago soap plant, designed and implemented training for over 100 employees in TQ philosophy and Statistical Process Control (SPC). Co-led development of manufacturing procedures, product specifications, commissioning and start-up criteria based on TQ and SPC for soap. Designed experiments to identify most efficient running conditions to minimize variability and maximize quality for bar and liquid soaps. Identified need for on-line moisture measures based on analyzing measurement vs. process variability.
• Led skin-care group which developed consumer-preferred cleansers and moisturizers vs. competition by creating analytical test methods to predict (via a model) consumer desired perceptions of key attributes (greasiness, ease of rub-in, etc.) Wrote concept boards for evaluation of skin care line and designed consumer research (concept, habits and practices, key product attribute assessment and competitive performance).
• Led skin-care group which developed Camay Bar Soap for oily, normal, and dry skin types. Designed and analyzed segmentation studies to identify needs, attitudes, and habits by skin type. Recommended advertising claims and wrote Proof of Claims documentation for discussion with Legal and network.
• Developed and launched first worldwide concentrated Downy fabric softener.
• Initiated P&G’s recruiting at University of Dayton School of Engineering, resulting in more female acceptances than any other recruiting school for Procter & Gamble.
External Activities
United Way – Co-led 3000-employee Kraft campaign for 2 years; met all goals
Latin American Association, Atlanta GA – Assisting with ’08 Strategic Plan
Hispanic Engineers National Annual Award Conference – Hall of Fame and Awards committees for 3 years; led the winning nomination of Professional Achievement Award.
University of Puerto Rico Engineering Recruiting—80% 5-year retention
GMA Sustainability Conference – ‘08.
Packaging Education Forum – created two scholarships.
Speaker at Packaging Strategies Conference ’02
Speaker at University of Dayton - several Women in Engineering and Minority in Engineering programs.
University of Dayton School of Engineering Advisory Board – Recruiting committee.
University of Dayton Innovation Center Advisory Board – input for ’08 Business plan
Education
1978. B.Ch.E. degree, summa cum laude, University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio.
1981. MBA in Finance, magna cum laude, Xavier University, Cincinnati Ohio. |
