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- 1. KEVIN COWAN 42 C Longview Circle Ayer MA 01432 Kevin.cowan@att.net Cell: (860) 575-8391 SUMMARY A highly experienced Packaging Engineer with a record for timely accomplishments. Strong technical knowledge in the areas of packaging, materials and quality control. Excellent team player and communicator with a high level of integrity and commitment. Background in multinational projects with emphasis on technical packaging areas, including package testing and specifications. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Welch’s R&D 2011-Present A $600 million farmers cooperative that manufactures Jelly, Juice, and frozen juice concentrate Corporate Quality and Package Engineering  Responsible for the maintenance of all packaging activity across multiple facilities, insuring that changes and improvements to packaging are correctly implemented from concept to production  Implemented cost savings projects creating $6 million in cost savings  Worked with suppliers to take corrective action on quality issues when observed.  Worked with suppliers and plant representatives to correct 2 long standing production problems related to labels  Established a protocol to convert the business from over the road to intermodal shipping resulting in a reduction in shipping damage and a large cost savings  Developed a totally new 59 ounce bottle from concept to launch  Developed and launched a new glass bottle resulting in a $600 K savings  Developed and launched a new light weight jelly jar resulting in a major cost savings UNILEVER R&D, Trumbull, CT 1986-2011 A $60 billion company with 400 brands and operations in more than 100 countries Senior Project Engineer – Package Testing and Global Specifications  Managed global specifications for skin care category including brands such as Dove, Axe, Pond’s and Vaseline. Ensured that the content and quality were maintained at high levels.  Upgraded Unilever’s portfolio of 14,000 Packaging Specifications for all brands including Skippy Peanut Butter, Hellman’s Mayonnaise, Lipton Foods, and Breyers Ice Cream. Managed a team of three temporary staffers. In the process greatly enhanced Unilever‘s specification information, enabling the business to make better decisions concerning packaging materials.  Managed a team of five individuals responsible for testing and evaluating a wide range of packaging types, including injection and blow molded plastics for oral care, skin care, hair care and deodorant products. In the process insured flawless execution on numerous product launches.  Implemented a supplier quality/testing program with key Unilever suppliers, enabling the company to maintain stringent high quality standards while eliminating the need for double testing, reducing the testing time and the effort required by 50%.
- 2. KEVIN COWAN Kevin.cowan@att.net Page 2 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, Unilever continued  Created test protocols for newly developed packages, reported results, diagnosed problems and recommended solutions to design engineers, resulting in corrective action that prevented problems with new product launches.  Wrote 37 Global test procedures which were adopted by Unilever operations and its’ numerous suppliers around the world, greatly simplifying the evaluation of packages around the world and helped reduce Unilever’s complexity.  Responsible for the procurement and maintenance of laboratory test equipment and managed a $500K annual operating budget  Collaborated with CAD Designers early in design/prototyping process to anticipate potential problems and suggest improvements, helping to ensure accurate global specifications were implemented.  Had a lead role in the creation of a new Testing Laboratory in Shanghai, China, including training a staff of 3 engineers/lab technicians, selecting equipment and ensuring integrity of data.  Provided support and problem solving expertise to Quality Control and Manufacturing personnel, leading to solutions to production problems when they arose  Within a one year period, successfully launched two major projects, including a custom designed Package for Cutex Polish Remover and a two piece injection molded package for Q-tips. • Responsible for $500,000 is annual cost savings projects, such as bottle light weighting and reduction of product overfill Earlier experience included Research Chemist, Packaging, at REVLON RESEARCH INC., in Edison, NJ, testing numerous types of cosmetic and aerosol packaging, making recommendations for solutions to problems, and determining the appropriate sizes of cosmetic and aerosol packages based on machine capabilities. EDUCATION and COMPUTER SKILLS B.S., Chemistry, Rutgers University 12 credits in graduate Package Engineering courses, Rutgers University Aerosol Training Certification, Center for Professional Studies Strong proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Interspec PATENTS US Patent no. 5,549,200 Q-Tips dispenser with interlocking feature COMMUNITY SERVICE Board member Valley Shore YMCA Westbrook, CT 2008-2011