David Elwood

Work History

• Convatec

  

  Project Manager Global Procurement Bridgewater, NJ - November, 2020 to present

  In my current position, I manage cost and productivity projects for ConvaTec over all divisions, as well as various other cost improvement projects. I also still serve as a corporate resource for Injection Molded parts and processes.

  Project Manager Global Procurement Schaffhausen, Switzerland - April, 2017 to November, 2020

  In this position, I managed cost and productivity projects for ConvaTec in the Hospital Care and 3rd party division, as well as various other cost improvement projects. I served as a corporate resource for Injection Molded parts and processes. After 4 years in Switzerland, I returned to the US by choice.

  Project Manager Global Procurement Bridgewater, NJ - January, 2014 to April, 2017

  In this position, I managed cost and productivity improvements for ConvaTec in the US, with a focus on Injection Molded components and molds for ostomy products. I managed the mold builds for new products, revisions, and replacements. I served as a corporate resource for Injection Molded parts and processes. I was offered a position in Europe supporting a different franchise; hospital goods.

  Engineering Molding SME Skillman, NJ - January, 2012 to January, 2014

  I was the Subject Matter Expert for injection molding in the R&D department, focused on new products in the Corporate headquarters. I developed several new products for the Ostomy division including the High Output pouch for Ileostomy patients. I also served as a corporate resource for Injection Molded parts and processes. The Skillman facility closed in 2014 and I transferred to the Sourcing group as Molding SME.

• Nampac

  

  Process Manager Dayton, NJ - February, 2006 to January, 2012

  For this large manufacturer of plastic pails, I managed a staff of 16 with focus on continuous improvement activities and process development. I developed a team-based system that increased productivity by 20% and reduced spoilage by 25%. Part of my function was to routinely evaluate and train corporate engineering staff in waste reduction and productivity techniques. Working for the VP of Manufacturing, I developed a corporate-wide Operations data program to document and improve manufacturing process. I left this position to work on expand my experience developing medical products as a molding SME on multi-functional teams.

• Cebal Americas

  

  Operations Manager Lincoln Park, NJ - June, 2005 to February, 2006

  I was responsible for this $20M packaging manufacturing facility where I managed plant staff of 75, handled P&L, Plant EHS and budgets. This plant achieved record safety performance, production, and productivity during my tenure. Alcan Packaging was restructured in 2006 and the Lincoln Park facility was merged into the Washington, NJ plant.

  Production Manager Lincoln Park, NJ - June, 2002 to June 2005

  My function was to oversee plant productivity, continuous improvement and safety initiatives including ISO 14001 certification. I managed a plant staff of 60 including supervisors and maintenance. During this period, I was formally recognized corporate-wide for increasing plant utilization by 50% and OEE by 40%. This led to my assignment as Operation Manager as I had been performing in that role since late 2004.

  Senior Principle Engineer Washington, NJ - March, 2001 to June 2002

  I was hired to manage and act as Project Manager for a new product development facility for compression molded packaging products. This operation was called the "Platinum Line" and specialized in unique design, short run, high quality products. As Project Manager, I worked with design staff, corporate marketing/sales, production as well as the OEM that produced the proprietary equipment to bring plastic tube products to market. I developed 5 commercial products in 1^st year of operation including the "airbackless" tube and the highly successful "lip applicator" product for L'Oreal, which earned a Tube Council award that year. Due to the success of the project, I was asked to head up the production scale-up as Production Manager in the Lincoln Park, NJ plant. During my tenure at Cebal / Alcan, I received extensive training in 6-Sigma techniques and Project Management. I acted in almost every role of a 6-Sigma project; Project sponsor, Green Belt and Process Owner. My success led to a manager position in the Lincoln Park facility.

• Union Carbide

  
  

  R&D Engineer Bound Brook, NJ - September, 1996 to March, 2001

  Provided customer service on HDPE/LLDPE injection molding customer applications including licensing support, new product development, customer testing / troubleshooting, and customer training. In 1998, Union Carbide began to invest in new state-of-the-art fabrication/testing equipment for which I purchased, installed and served as expert in. This equipment was specialized impact and other various physical test devices. I was also the module owner for the Testing module of SAP and developed a testing results procedure to streamline technical response to sales. During this period, I was trained extensively in 6-Sigma philosophies and acted as a Stage/Gate advisor for numerous new product projects. In 2011, after purchasing Union Carbide, Dow announced the restructuring of the company and the closing of the Bound Brook site.

• Polycel

  
  

  Project Engineer Somerville, NJ - April, 1994 to September, 1996

  I was hired to manage new mold acquisition, design and modifications as well as gas-assist molding/design. During my tenure, I designed and built a proprietary gas injection unit for structural foam applications and was directly responsible for increased sales for minor modifications by 300%. I also managed numerous projects such as packaging improvements, scrap reduction, auxiliary equipment design and safety-related engineering controls. The opportunity to gain new experience in resin development led me to move on to Union Carbide.

• Enichem Americas

  
  

  Research Associate Monmouth Junction, NJ - August, 1988 to April, 1994

  I was hired to install and develop the process and testing labs for this newly created Polymer Blends Research facility. My experience in customer support rooted in a strong technical ability was the key reason for my involvement. I acted as in-house expert on production techniques and material testing for the Blends team. I was directly responsible for the molding, extrusion and testing technicians in the production scale-up of a corporate-wide lens program. I also entirely designed the manufacturing equipment used for the Fiber Impregnated Technology program for fiber lay-up applications. After the parent company posted US losses, the polymer facility was closed in 1994.

• Celanese

  
  

  Engineering Specialist Auburn Hills, MI - January, 1987 to August, 1988

  I was chosen from over 100 internal candidates to head up the process team for the newly built Application Development Center (ADC). I installed and operated the process and testing labs. I also developed and implemented a system for acquiring approvals from OEM's in Paint-On-Plastic applications. My chief function was to provided technical assistance for customers and managed the direction of molding/testing technicians. Personal obligations brought me back to New Jersey to be nearer to my family.

  R&D Technician< Summit, NJ - June, 1980 to January, 1987

  This was essentially my first job and I worked on a two-man product development team primarily responsible for wear resistant polymer compounds. During this time, we created LW-90 and, from that, also developed several commercial other successes in the Celcon LW-90 line of Acetal resins. I was a strong performer and routinely acted as in-house expert in injection molding of various filled products. I was offered a position to help install the ADC in Michigan.