Conducted original research to classify component taste characteristics for a blended consumer product. Designed, built and tested an optimization model that generates alternative recipe formulations. Demonstrated consumers’ inability to discern factory-made from computer-generated blends. Model balances material costs against design specifications and can be used to satisfy FDA compliance. A production planning optimization model of two U.S. processing plants was designed and implemented to provide insights not normally achievable through conventional Excel spreadsheets. The model exposed potential weaknesses of future scenarios and provided the means to mitigate their impact.

2002 - 2004 as a contract employeeDesigned and developed a large-scale multi-time-period multi-commodity network distribution optimization model. Model served as the core of a fully functioning prototype complete with GUI and geographic visualization for the United States Department of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Contributing member of a cooperative multi-disciplinary team of consultants involved in the historic merger of Federated (Macys) and Mays department store chains. Principal contributions included management of nearly one terabyte of sales history, and the implementation of analytical methods to rebrand and convert acquired stores.

For Gillette, a global CPG company: was a key member of a 20-person SAP APO demand planning implementation team. Project spanned 18 European countries and 4 business units (Braun, Oral-B, Duracell, and Gillette) with 8 separate market go-lives. Developed and programmed methods for maintaining product master and cleansing of order transaction data from legacy and R3 sources. Partnered with APO configuration, BW data warehouse, and client teams to ensure data quality and resolve integration issues. For Schering Plough, a major pharmaceutical: supported sales and marketing team to develop opportunities that would increase sales volume and market share of Claritin, the top prescribed antihistamine. Developed a probabilistic model that projected a decline in Claritin’s market share with the introduction of ZYRTEC-D, a competing product. Exploited legacy and Oracle data warehouse sources for exploratory data analysis using SAS data mining and statistical techniques.

For Kraft Paper & Board Division: developed a PC-based profit model to optimize paper machine production and source products for internal and external customers. Exchange trade options were also modeled. Results demonstrated annual profit potential of more than $5 million. For Packaging Group: successfully secured a research project to study the causes of late shipments and their impact on customer service and inventory levels. Methods to increase the visible planning horizon and suggestions to improve the order acceptance process were among the recommendations. The project had a direct impact on the creation of an order fulfillment reengineering team that followed.For Packaging Group: provided technical leadership as a member of an order fulfillment reengineering team. Created project vision statements and co-authored project recommendations document. Developed a prototype paper machine scheduling and available-to-promise application as part of the team's pilot project. For Container Division: developed a SAS-based decision aid used to replenish internal box plant rollstock raw material. Tool was also used to maintain aggregate division rollstock inventory levels and to regulate order-entry.