• Evaluate and recommend changes to the current internal Product Development process at Merrithew with an operational focus. Coordinate efforts with strategic sourcing to strategically plan for retail products through design, quality, packaging, component coordination, marketing, manufacturing, and ultimate delivery to the customer.• Oversee, evaluate and make recommendations for new retail products and product lines in collaboration with the Marketing, Design, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement teams.• Ongoing evaluation of current retail product lines to recommend opportunities for new packaging and re-packaging and/ or bundling, and planning for products that are nearing the end of their life cycle.• Research and recommend new retail product ideas within specific categories of focus.• Work, in conjunction with the Education department to ensure viability and safety of new products including thorough testing before launch.• Identify the design character of MH&F products through design, colors, themes, and packaging in collaboration with the Marketing and Design teams.• Approve new packaging themes and designs and merchandising concepts (displays, etc.) with Marketing and Design teams.• Oversee an annual product launch schedule tied to specific sales targets• Coordinate with Strategic Sourcing and internal Manufacturing Departments to ensure design is supported and quality standard requirements are met.• Coordinate with Strategic Sourcing team and Suppliers to ensure packaging and design exceeds quality expectations and meets all MH&F’s standards.• In conjunction with Marketing & Communications, recommend and approve logo placement and branding on all new products including printing methods (embossing, silk screening, etc.)• In conjunction with Marketing, Design, Sales and Strategic Sourcing departments, approve retail product final production samples. • Design involvement on the commercial product lines.

Jason began training in Yoshinkan Aikido in 1999 with Reg Sakamoto Sensei and also became a student of Mits Karasawa Sensei, Alan Shumak Sensei, and Takeshi Kimeda Sensei. In 2004 he began training in Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu with Creagh Dermot Sensei and returned to Toronto in 2005 and began training in Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu with Reg Sakamoto. In 2009 he traveled to Japan to train with Iwami Soke and began teaching Niten Ichi Ryu in 2010. He is the National Representative for Niten Ichi Ryu in Canada.

Designing from Cradle to Cradle. Product development, Ideation, CAD & Prototyping.Providing smart and innovative design solutions for clients in a freelance and contract capacity.

- Worked 1-2 years in advance to develop design intent and direction for seasonal assortments- Research vendors and source new products for seasonal and in-line assortments- Analyze market trends, sales results and current retail assortment in Loblaws Superstores, Great Foods and other Loblaws-branded grocery stores- Travel to China to review samples and request items for quotation- Design new products- Work with graphics team to develop directives for colors and pattern- Present chosen assortment to category managers- Set up new vendors with SOP, VBA's and packaging standards - Negotiate improved pricing of new and existing products- List new items with SAP listing package- Ensure 3rd party testing of product passes Canadian regulations and safety standards- Develop packaging, manuals and marketing materials with graphics design team, copy writers and translators- Review and approve third-party testing results and print proofs to ensure products meet quality standards- Work with the visual merchandising team to set store layouts- Liaise with vendors to ensure required ship dates are met and product reaches stores in time

Provided creative concepts, renderings and technical drawings for retail visual displays in home electronics environments.

Retail Display planning/ design / engineeringhttp://arraymarketing.com

Jason worked at Umbra inventing new products for every room in of the home. In 2004-2005 he moved to Shenzhen China and Hong Kong to work with Umbra's manufacturers to improve design, qualify production product for timely release, correct QC issues, and to help improve upon production deficiencies in their overseas factories.

Model maker and rapid prototyper working with CNC machine, lost wax molds, building styrene models, silicone molds and injection molded parts

Directing the kitchen stations to complete food orders and managing the timing of those orders. Final plating and inspecting plates to ensure presentation is on spec. Minimizing line times. Managing kitchen staff, food costs and stock levels. Prepping the lines for service.

Custom boot fitter specializing in custom footbeds and bio mechanical alignment.