Smith Alamu

• Provide leadership for the Princes Circular Economy pillar under the ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) sustainability agenda.
• Main technical contact point for all packaging related enquiries including value engineering initiatives, new innovations, complaince, specification development and qualification. Contacts include internal and external stakeholders like Marketing, Production, Engineering, Procurement, Planning, OEMs, External Auditors, Customers and Regulatory Agencies.
• Lead a team of two Packaging Launch Managers for the delivery of best in class packaging solutions across Princes and Own Label Brands - 2019-2022. This includes standardization of cutters, packaging specification nomenclature in HG (Hamilton Grant) and harmonized packaging trial protocol.
• Identified, developed and drove implementation of packaging solutions that added value in line with the business plan and group packaging strategy.
• To reliably inform the business of new packaging innovations that could provide cost efficiencies or other competitive advantages for Princes.
• To support Production, Technical and Engineering teams in the smooth running of all packaging formats through the trialing and first production of new packaging items.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the relevant external supplier technical resource, Princes commercial team, and production teams at all relevant sites.

• Develop and implement the ASR Group Global Packaging Sustainability Roadmap
• Provide direct and indirect leadership to the European NPD Packaging Team to ensure projects are delivered against customer and business objectives in a timely manner.
• Administrate and coordinate change management techniques to ensure all packaging development meet or exceed production, supply chain, and consumer facing key performance indicators & project objectives.
• Prioritization and stage gating of multiple Innovation & Renovation projects executions to achieve on time business objectives.
• Develop and mentor European NPD and Packaging Team members; providing opportunities for professional development, personal growth, to ensure a solid succession plan.
• Act as subject matter expertise to continuously advance packaging specifications, standards, methods, and supporting practices to address business needs; driving adoption thereto into internal & external packaging operations and other business functions where required.
• Initiate new projects/concepts that drive profitable growth through implementation of value add packaging solutions, competitive packaging technologies, systems and processes through effective internal or external networking (i.e. commercial, operations, procurement, suppliers, and other miscellaneous networks).

• Simultaneously manage multiple projects across the EU of either a continuous improvement nature (cost savings, productivity gains, and process improvements), sustainability, or to fulfill a specific customer need.
• Technical lead in the creation of new/revision of existing packaging specifications across all phases of development.
• Oversee plant trials in support of project implementation; reporting against predetermined key performance indicators to gain adoption within the Operations group.
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of packaging specifications within PLM/SAP.
• Identify and implement material standardization opportunities whenever feasible.
• Provide technical expertise to multiple functional areas (Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales & Marketing) to overcome business challenges.

● July 2013 – April 2015 (Packaging Manager, Nestle Professional, Nutrition and Food Retail)

• Drive the packaging technical input to the development and renovation of the assigned product portfolio from concept to launch
• Alignment of the commercial requirements with manufacturing capabilities in the sourcing, product development, industrialization and costs across the I+R plan. Includes Nestle and 3rd party manufacturing supply
• Ensure new developments and existing product portfolio have the requisite packaging specifications and packs meet EU and UK legislation and Nestle guidelines
• Continuously drive improvements in the packaging safety and quality of the assigned product portfolio.
• Provide packaging technical expertise to internal and external customers including business to business and client relationships.
• Identify and manage packaging cost optimization opportunities across the designated product portfolio.

● June 2012 – June 2013 (Packaging Manager, Nescafe Dolce Gusto, Nutrition & Jenny Craig)

• Collaboration with all stakeholders including the Nestle System Technology Centre (STC), Tutbury and Girona factories in the creation and management of all packaging components, trials, supplier development, harmonization and total delivered cost projects for Nescafe Dolce Gusto. Some of the projects delivered include:
• Development and validation of new capsule, pyramid plate and carton suppliers
• Introduction of a BPA free aluminum membrane
• Standardization and harmonization of carton and corrugated wrap around boards between Tutbury and Girona factories
• 4. Transition from Flexo in-line print process to high definition flexo pre-print operation for the Dolce Gusto 1x3 and 2x3 wrap around outer liner providing annual savings of £240k

● Working within the Marketing department leading packaging development and value engineering initiatives on Princes and retailers’ own label brands such as:

- 3L COB oil PET bottle light weighting at Erith site - £233K savings

- 1L COB 29/21 closure introduction at Erith site - £45K savings

- 75g paste jar light weighting at Chichester site - £98K savings

- Successful introduction of plastic wrap around label on 1L COB PET bottles at Erith - £31K

- 420ml Light Touch format change with pallet and shelf space improvement - £12K savings

- Liquid Nitrogen introduction into still water products at Bradford site - £45K savings

- 1L Napolina EVO bottle UK source of supply - £20K savings

- Shrink film optimization at Belvedere and Chichester sites - £68K savings

- Pallet and stretch wrap optimisation at Erith and Belvedere sites - £40K

- Introduction of alternative performance board grade to mitigate a 17% cost increase at Erith site – £47K savings.

● Development and management of packaging component specifications and database within the edible oil and food manufacturing sites.

● Co-ordination of all packaging development and component assessments including preliminary, production and transit trials within the edible oil and food sites.

● Development of packaging component trial protocol within the edible oil and food manufacturing facilities.

● Managing internal and external relationships with suppliers and industry experts in trends and innovation to achieve successful feeds into our brands annual strategic plans.

● Key relationships: Marketing Managers, Sales Managers, Supply and Technical Managers, Artwork Co-ordinators, Design Agencies, OEMs & Packaging Suppliers.

• Management and implementation of new product packaging on the Aseptic and Carbonated products lines at the Rugby factory.
• Co-ordination of line trials for all new or improved packaging materials.
• Development of new or alternative packaging components and packaging suppliers in accordance with the Britvic Soft Drinks guidelines.
• Implementation of packaging component and packaging machinery improvement initiatives at the Rugby factory
• Creation and issuance of packaging component specifications for new product development.
• New, modified or promotional artwork sign-off on the MIS system in line with the approved cutter guide.

• Implementation of the Nestle GLOBE coding system in Agbara factory
• Update of Packaging specifications on the GLOBE template
• Application of the Cape Pack software in the design of packaging materials
• Document and follow up on new artwork creation and development of new packaging materials with Marketing, Production, Engineering and Regional Packaging Specialist
• Annual update of all packaging material specification sheets
• Follow up and assist in all yearly packaging material changes or modifications.
• Co-ordinate all packaging material trials with Production, Quality Assurance and Distribution.
• Assessment, processing and documentation of all packaging material complaints from production to a logical conclusion.
• Follow up on relationship with local and foreign Suppliers on quality, audit and packaging development issues.
• Assist in laboratory analysis, quality monitoring and ensuring the proper use of all packaging materials in the Factory.