vernon whitaker

* Led project teams consisting of engineers, designers, and contractors while successfully managing large capital projects for wet and dry petfood in pouches, cans, bags, and flowwrap, as well as new buildings. Projects range in size up to $28MM. * Reduced labor costs by 30% and increased capacity by 40% by implementing an automated packaging line for multi-variety multi-packs of Whiskas catfood pouches. * Met a very tight timeframe of only 4 months, and saved $285,000 while managing build-out of 121,000 sq.ft. Corporate office for Mars Petcare in Nashville. * Earned Corporate * Make a Difference * award for executing an emergency new production line for * Pedigree Jumbone * dog treats in only 3 months, when BSE (mad cow) crisis closed Canadian border to imported beef products. * Executed seismic upgrade and re-roofing of corporate office building in Los Angeles on time and under budget under adverse wet winter weather conditions.

Managed 6 member group of engineers, designers, and technicians while successfully managing an annual budget of $2.5MM. Managed all engineering activities at 140,000 sq. ft. Henderson site, including process and packaging equipment for gourmet chocolates, building improvements, utilities, and controls. Reduced labor costs by 50% and increased capacity by 25% by implementing automated packaging systems for seasonal molded chocolate bars. Earned corporate "Make a Difference" award for designing and installing new processing and packaging systems for roll-out of new Disney character shaped chocolates within tight budget and time constraints.

Managed of a group of 7 engineers, designers, and technicians while successfully managing an annual capital budget of $3.5MM. Managed design and implementation of automated, high-speed packaging lines for new and existing snack food and confectionery products. Redesigned existing equipment to improve reliability, efficiency and capacity. Supervised contractor and vendor personnel during installation, start-up, and debug phases of projects. Implemented wide range of high-speed packaging equipment, including form-fill-seal equipment, cartoners, case packers, robotic loaders, thermoformed packaging, and paperboard canisters. Reduced labor costs by 60% by automating Combos brand snacks packaging with high-speed baggers, robotic carton loaders, and automatic case packers. Reduced labor costs by 50% through design development of unique multi-lane inverted wrapping equipment to wrap new product called Starburst Fruit Twists.

Managed and coordinated efforts of project teams consisting of Philip Morris engineers, designers, contractors, and vendors for designing, fabricating, specifying and purchasing automated packaging equipment for cigarette products. Managed projects for modernizing and automating packaging equipment in manufacturing facilities. Designed and implemented packaging machinery modifications to improve efficiency, reliability, and quality. Managed 15-person design team in successful development of high-speed packaging equipment for new "Superslim" cigarette product. Managed successful integration of new generation of high-speed cigarette makers and packers into manufacturing plants. Improved product quality by implementing automatic video inspection systems on cigarette packers.

* Directed project teams consisting of engineers, designers, and contractors while successfully managing large capital projects for food and beverage clients. Projects range in size up to $18MM. * Tropicana/Naked Juice Co., Industry, CA * Performed Construction Manager tasks for fruit juice processing systems. Projects include new RO Water System, new Aseptic Product Piping and CIP System. * E&J Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA * Performed Construction Manager tasks for a new $18MM high speed (240 bpm) Wine Bottling Line. Responsibilities included contractor management, budget & schedule management, and start-up support. * Pepsi Bottling Group, Wytheville, VA * Performed start-up and commissioning activities for new blowmolding equipment at Pepsi Bottling Group plant. Project included three new Sidel Blowmolders and associated bottle storage and handling equipment.

Managed technical teams over two Bakery sites. Oversaw improvements in production efficiencies and KPIs. Led development, implementation, and coordination of capital budget to improve and maintain equipment at three Bakery facilities, located in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Project development including concept, design, layouts, cost estimates, cost justification; research and selection of best equipment and project submittals with timelines and contingencies. Total project management including periodic updates to all stakeholders, project installation/commissioning, cost control, project performance and project closing. Managed design and installation of: New 38,000 ft2 production facility built in Philadelphia for packaging dried fruit. Met a very tight timeframe of only 5 months. High-speed stuffing packaging Line. 8,500 lb/hr crouton drier processing Line.

Top 15% of my class.