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+44 (0) 2079890750
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I’m a Packaging Specialist from South Africa. I’ve specialised largely in retailer private label packaging development, both in SAfrica as well as in the UK(PL across all retailers). You will see on my CV that I’ve worked for the South African equivalent of Boots,called Clicks as well as the largest retailer in Africa; Shoprite Checkers.At both retailers I set up their packaging departments from scratch(including processes, specifications, with LARGE cost savings.
Education & Qualifications
High School Attended : Parow High School, Cape Town (1993-1997)
Subjects :
English
Afrikaans
Maths
Accounting
Business Economics
Woodwork
College Attended : Damelin College (2001)
Marketing Management Diploma
University Attended : Cape Peninsula University of Technology (2005)
Packaging Technology Diploma
Additional Studies:
• Senior management emotional intelligence course in 2014
• Business Acumen Course in 2013
• Scottwork Negotiating Course in 2011 through Scottwork International
• Advanced Raw Materials’ course in 2006 at Plastics Federation of South Africa.
• Completed an Aerosols course in 2005 & 2013 through AMA(Aerosol Association)
• Completed a Barcoding workshop in May 2006 & Sep 2009 through GS1 South Africa.
Packaging Industry Involvement:
• Certified IPSA member(Institute of Packaging, SA) : 2004–2012
• Certified IPSA committee member(Institute of Packaging, SA) : 2008, 2009
• Association with Packaging Association of South Africa : 2009 – 2011
• Association with PIFSA(Printing Industry Federation, SA) : 2008
• Association with Plastics Federation of South Africa : 2008
• Writing up of the monthly ‘Institute of Packaging’ newsletter : 2008, 2009
• Various talks at Packaging workshops and events : Various
Career Summary
Company : Indigo Brands, South Africa
Duration : July 2012 – current
Position Held : Category Lead – Packaging
Fragrance, personal care, colour cosmetics, toiletries brands
Managing specialist & priority packaging projects with responsibility for initiation and execution of programs. Management of a team of Packaging Technologists & Engineers.
Define, justify and monitor mid term/long term packaging R&D and projects relevant to business company stakeholders and business strategy
Support the Technical Director directives and lead a team of packaging technologists to support this.
• Align a team of technologists with new business strategy whilst developing improved packaging strategic direction.
• Define specialist cost saving initiatives and create programs to assess feasibility
• Create & Define team investigations to determine solutions with regard to Packaging Improvement Projects & Process Improvement Projects.
• Within agreed Programmes & Projects, ensure the team creates, develops and launches the best possible packaging solutions and continuously improve existing packaging solutions
• Set up final specifications and Quality Standards for packaging for all relevant projects via collaboration with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• As a packaging expert, advise and assist Business in overcoming any critical issues for major projects where such skills/ competencies are applicable.
• Ensure all relevant packaging & production tests as well as trials are conducted by the packaging team, within allocated timelines
• Projects driven and delivered within timelines ensuring stakeholders are managed with specific and timely updates
• Key Quality, Regulatory, Packaging Safety and Legal Attributes identified and demonstrated for all pack solutions
• Develop team member and manage performance via the creation of KPI’s
• Pursuit of creative consumer & customer enhancing experiences through Packaging
• Pursuit of the most effective and efficient ways to enhance Margins
• Perform technical audits at Packaging Material Suppliers and Secondary Production facilities.
• Owns the perfection of packaging processes Uses technical & business knowledge to influence commercial, supply chain & purchasing in strategic decision-making process.
Achievements within this role
• Currently rolling out innovative & material reduction packaging concept across key category
• Creation of packaging cost reduction roadmap currently being used
• Harmonization of packaging formats resulting in cost reduction in excess of R3 million($300 000) p/a
Company : The Shoprite Group, South Africa
Duration : June 2011 – July 2012
Position Held : Packaging Development & Technology Manager
The Shoprite Group is the largest retailer in Africa, with 95 000 staff, operating 1246 stores across 16 countries across Africa. Shoprite is the South African equivalent of the UK’s Tesco group.
Set up the packaging department from scratch & on- going management of the packaging technology team , ensuring that the packaging strategy for private label is fully encompassed within the Private Label strategy. This entails that all packaging formats are investigated and rationalised, where appropriate, to ensure that they are fit for purpose from a technical and graphical viewpoint, cost effective and to the quality expected of the brand.
This covers all Private Label/Own Brands’ categories within the business, namely; Foods, Health, Personal Care, Non-Foods and General Merchandise.
• The application of required project planning, negotiating, driving, budgeting, tracking, reporting and internal communications.
• To ensure all company policies, Consumer legislation, Packaging (labelling) legislation and Waste & Environmental Legislation is adhered to and communicated to stakeholders, when appropriate.
• To ensure all packaging, wherever possible, is the most cost effective packaging materials & format to meet the product & design requirements; the technical specifications and within quality tolerances.
• To develop a packaging strategy (in line with an existing PL label strategy), full packaging specifications, quality standards and supplier guidelines
• To standardise PL packaging formats & designs within relevant categories to increase the PL brand statement. To be responsible for the consistent and coherent aesthetics of the PL brand, taking into consideration colour, shape, typeface etc to define and reinforce the PL brand Identity.
• Responsible for performing risk analysis evaluation of new projects and products.
• The sourcing of alternative local & international suppliers where costs, lead times and quality can be improved. Auditing packaging manufactures where the commercial value of the range is high.
Achievements within this role:
• Reduction of cost of packaging projects delivered, in excess of R5 million($500 000) p/a within the first year.
• Identification & feasibility assessments of cost reduction opportunities in excess of R20 million($2 million) p/a.
• Introduction of a sustainability strategy for packaging and on-pack recycling implementation
• Successful implementation of a global packaging sourcing project.
• The drive & implementation of new innovative packaging for various large commodity products
Company : Clicks Organization, South Africa
Duration : March 2008 – June 2011
Position Held : Packaging Development & Technology Manager
The Clicks Group is the largest health and beauty chain in South Africa, operating over 500 stores, encompassing 283 pharmacies. Clicks are the South African equivalent of the UK’s Boots group, and in fact, has close associations.
I was responsible for establishing a packaging technology department from scratch, growing the team to 10 which consisted of packaging technologists & packaging designers. Developing & driving Clicks Private Label packaging developments, ensuring all aspects of packaging will be delivered on time, within specifications & quality standards, in a cost effective & innovative manner.
Categories covered: Bath & Body, Beauty, Baby, Confectionary, Healthcare, Homeware & Electrical
This also includes the monitoring of Link pharmacy Private Label categories.(A subsidiary pharmacy chain)
• Developing a PL packaging strategy and packaging material / structure principles and guidelines for Own Brand and Exclusives which support the delivery of the design and brand positioning objectives
• To ensure that packaging meets the functionality, quality & budget requirements of the brand and is compliant with national regulatory authorities and to ensure the safe delivery of a product to the ultimate consumer in sound condition, at the minimum overall cost.
• The creation of all packaging specifications for all packaging and detailed material guidelines for manufacturers. To ensure that packaging meets the design and quality requirements of the brand and is compliant to the new CPA & Labeling Act
• Responsible for developing and maintaining knowledge of critical consumer and operational issues, develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of customer strategies and specific requirements, recommending creative solutions with an appropriate balance of innovation, risk management, assured supply, speed and cost.
• To monitor new and improved technology and techniques in the packaging and artwork fields, to ensure that the company remains at the forefront of the Private Label packaging area.
• Work with suppliers, creative agencies and other sources to develop a range of creative options for packaging these options should range from the operational to inspirational and should challenge current thinking about packaging
• Educating of packaging suppliers, internal design studio and internal departments on and packaging requirements and providing technical support for new developments, both to improve quality and price aspects.
• To check and sign off all final artwork/ discs before handing artwork over to the supplier, Managing artwork to validate that print suppliers have the correct artwork materials and packaging specifications on file
Achievements within this role:
• Part of team that redesigned and created a new PL packaging strategy & new brand bible
• Developed Private Label packaging specifications for all packaging components
• Developed a Packaging Approval process and documents supporting this.
• Developed a Clicks PL artwork design life cycle in their internal agency
• Re-engineered all Healthcare packaging formats and Clicks water bottles, reducing packaging by 20% with a cost saving of almost R2 million
• Created the Clicks packaging reduction project, with a set goal of reducing all PL packaging by 10%.
• Introduced a packaging sustainability, recyclability & sustainable packaging policy.
• Created recycling logos on all PL packaging
• Audited & structured a Clicks approved packaging supplier list.
Company : Katsouris Fresh Foods(Part of the Bakkavor Group)
Products produced : Tesco, Sainsbury, Marks & Spencer & Waitrose
Position Held : Packaging Development Technologist (Private Label)
Duration : March 2007 – March 2008
Responsible for:
The development, innovation and sourcing of new packaging technologies/formats for UK Retailer private label brands, working in collaboration with Brand & Marketing Manager, Buyers & Selectors of the named supermarket head offices.
Principal duties:
• To implement new packaging processes and packs for factory units in delivering the Company/Customer product development programme.
• To manage the work programme agreed within the department.
• To accurately maintain information systems, particularly packaging specifications.
• To be the key leader/manager of new packaging development projects.
Duties:
• Responsible for the Waitrose, Sainsbury’s & M&S portfolios
• Development of packaging from design stage to despatch stage.
• Accessing of packaging requirements as stipulated by retailers.
• The designing of sourcing of new and existing packaging, including Primary, Secondary packaging and outer packaging.
• Liaising with designers, repro houses and printers as to amends, key lines, designs & supplying of packaging.
• Initiating and developing more environmentally friendly packaging.
• Determining lead times and prices with suppliers.
• Maintaining databases with specs of packaging.
• Approval of designs & material specifications with suppliers & Technical Development Team.
• Sourcing of new & innovative packaging designs and actual packaging.
• Compatibility testing of new packaging.
Company : Indigo Brands, South Africa
Duration : July 2003 – January 2007
Position Held : Packaging Technologist
Fragrance, personal care, colour cosmetics, toiletries brands
Principal duties:
• Maintain packaging specification system, Maintaining high quality standards
• Solve packaging related issues in the factory
• To continuously observe tendencies in the development of packaging machinery and materials
• Packaging development of new product including plant and production trials
• Maintain packaging specifications and system management
• Evaluate packaging material for cost saving opportunities
• Develop new packaging and manage packaging trials
• Carry out ad hoc projects or investigations as required
• Evaluating and testing of all new and existing componentry and development of new product
• Perform various test complying to QC and Emark standards
• Liasing with buyers with regards to the development of new packaging
• Auditing of various departments according to ISO
• Co-ordinating of development process with buyers, planners and marketing teams.
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