Alyssa Schaefer Email & Phone Number

Cupertino, California, US

Cupertino, California, US

Cupertino, California, US

Smithfield, Virginia, US

• Managed three separate $2 million cost savings projects encompassing the complete redesign and consolidation of corrugated boxes, implementation of innovative case forming equipment, and the design of packaging line.
• Supported an $18 million capital project involving working with numerous suppliers to develop specifications for packaging materials, coordinate test supplies, synchronize equipment installation, and provide cost.
• Comprehended, interpreted, and upgraded package testing standards to support the effective design, validation, and implementation of new packages and technology. Delivered thorough explanations, recommendations, and.
• Traveled 30% of the time to rapidly changing pork processing plants across the United States resulting in the comprehension of relationships between packaging materials and the equipment they are used on.
• Created and maintained relationships with internal and external resources, from line employees at the plant to corporate executives to suppliers of varying size in pursuance of cost effectively implementing packaging.
• Maintained high awareness of technical trends and developments in the packaging industry to generate innovative and value-added packaging concepts for existing or new products.

Chicago, Illinois, US

• Supported continuous improvement project encompassing working with current and new suppliers to change a leading QSR's napkin from bleached white to kraft brown for a savings of $4.5 million.
• Acknowledged continuous improvement project encompassing working with suppliers to lightweight existing sandwich wrap packaging for a $4 million savings objective.
• Developed innovative packages to hold new food concepts the customer would like to test and facilitated consumer research, focus groups, sensory and kitchen testing setup, and field testing.
• Worked closely with Strategic Sourcing and Quality Assurance departments to successfully change existing packaging to include a new characteristic (e.g., increase grease resistance, change dimensions, change supplier.
• Performed testing on concept packaging samples including maximum weight assessments, thickness gauging, and heat retention experimenting.
• Conducted competitive assessments of food service packaging, assembled reports, and presented findings to team.

Zurich, CH

• Utilized research skills by obtaining data and creating a database of secondary packaging specifications used for productivity improvements in plants.
• Identified cost savings opportunities in secondary packaging and optimized product design through analysis for a $3.5 million savings goal.
• Used strategic sourcing, from spend profiling and cost modeling to implementation and supplier management, while meeting milestones and deadlines for stakeholder review and approval.
• Communicated effectively with plants and maintained relationships with suppliers while gathering essential information.

• Researched various fruits and vegetables to recognize when they would be viable, benefiting the State of Michigan.
• Calculated standard ethylene, CO2, etc. values using prepared formulas before testing samples in a gas chromatograph.
• Performed tests that required decision-making when finding percent redness, weight, firmness, starch, finding diseases, etc.
• Cleaned up experiments, maintaining a sanitary work environment with an emphasis on safety.