Paul Walker
Plastic Injection Molding Associate Consultant
Paul Walker- Injection Molding Expert
Paul is a Service-oriented, decisive professional plastic injection molding consultant with 30+ years of hands-on experience in integrating creative solutions to tooling, molding, and material procurement processes for product lines with sustainability. He is a People-focused, methodical individual with motivation to continue career in design for manufacturing operations industries by capitalizing on competency in new product development, technical project management, and production coordination while demonstrating background in engineering management, design development, supplier management, continuous improvement, and team management.
- A proven track record for championing product lifecycle management through implementation of competitive engineering methodologies from six sigma techniques, 5S methodologies, DMAIC principles, and DFM and DFX approaches.
- A mastery in enterprise resource planning, supply chain optimization, strategic sourcing, and material qualification.
- An expert in process engineering, requirements gathering, cost optimization, patent licensing, and issue troubleshooting.
- A proficiency in feasibility analysis, root cause analysis, extensive testing or validation, and quality assurance and control.
- A talent to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and resolve issues in changing environment using servant leadership skills, logical problem-solving skills, good time management skills, strong attention to detail, and ethical work ethic.
- An aptitude for building relationships with executives, negotiating with global vendors, communicating with business units, and collaborating with teams through enforcement of excellent interpersonal skills for shared goals.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Strategic Planning & Execution | Mechanical Engineering | Manufacturing Management | Production Management | Project Management | Program Management | Product Development | Drawing & Sketch Design Development | Technology Management | Supply Chain Management | Material Management | Tooling Management (Plastics & Metals) | Molding Management | Commodity Management | Part Procurement Management | Resource Management | Pricing & Cost Management | Data Analysis | Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing | Machine Operation | Technical Research & Writing | Process Management | Technical Testing & Modeling | Quality Management | Patent & Contract Management | Reporting & Presentations | Regulatory & Policy Compliance (FMEA, ISO) | Conflict & Problem Solving | Relationship Management | Stakeholder Engagement | Supplier & Vendor Negotiating | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Staff Supervision & Teamwork | Written/Verbal Communications | Multitasking & Prioritization | Adaptability & Flexibility | Customer Driven & Results Driven
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Feb 2023 - July 2023
Otter Corporation - Technical Fellow
Fort Collins, CO
Carry out critical role in driving competitive technical change on product performance, cost, and quality while participating in product development, designing, manufacturing, and delivery per customer preferences. Perform authoritative advice, consults, assessment, knowledge sharing, and expertise to service levels on intentional innovation per business strategies.
Otter Corporation - Director, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Engineering
Fort Collins, CO
Commanded in-depth leadership of engineering teams on end-to-end manufacturing and advanced materials workflows while complying with technical requirements, material specifications, and operational standards.
Otter Corporation - Director, Global Process Engineering
Fort Collins, CO
Chaired strategic leadership to teams of tooling, manufacturing, and supplier quality engineers for product development activities while promoting conformance with product requirements, material specifications, and creative best practices.
Otter Corporation - Director, Tooling & Manufacturing
Fort Collins, CO
Administrated comprehensive supervision to large engineering team on tooling and manufacturing procedures for product offerings while maximizing material requirements, technological resources, and production guidelines.
Otter Corporation - Advanced Technology Manager
Fort Collins, CO
Superintended technical leadership to engineering team on various product development activities for new series while assuring consistent compliance with material requirements, technical specifications, and industry best practices.
Otter Corporation - Principal Development Engineer
Fort Collins, CO
Instituted strategic oversight on pre-processes and post-processes workflows of product development initiatives for new series while emphasizing uniformity with standardized requirements, component specifications, and company best practices.
Hewlett Packard Corporation - Notebook Mechanical Development Engineer, Mechanical Program Manager, Tooling Procurement Specialist
Houston, TX
Spearheaded mechanical development up to delivery process for commercial notebook products while maintaining strict alignment with procedures. Exhibited collaboration with cross-functional teams while coordinating with OEM suppliers, ODM partners, and third-party mechanical vendors on mechanical design (DFM), workflows, and issue resolution.
EARLY WORK EXPERIENCE
Compaq Computer Corporation & Compaq Computer - Plastic Tooling Development Engineer
Houston, TX
Facilitated writing of tooling specifications, management of tooling development, deliverance of mechanical design services, and estimation of tooling costs while conducting design assessments for tool usability per technical specifications. Leveraged knowledge of plastic tooling production across four APAC/Asia countries (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China).
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science: Industrial Technology - Plastics Manufacturing Sequence
Illinois State University – Normal, IL
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, TRAINING
ACAD | Pro-Engineering 3D & 2D | SolidWorks | ePDM | Agile PLM | PTC Creo | Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Established reusable modular tooling system to enable innovative reutilization of cutting-edge tooling infrastructure for product development efforts at Otter with year-over-year cost reduction of million dollars in capital expenditures.
- Oversaw new materials investigation team to govern discovery and qualification of new sustainable materials in accordance with certain engineering and complex marketing requirements.
- Accomplished cost versus time study using data analysis tools for 3D additive manufacturing technologies with five to six suppliers to identify suitability of new processes with engineering and supply chain development timelines.
Strategic Planning & Execution | Mechanical Engineering | Manufacturing Management | Production Management | Project Management | Program Management | Product Development | Drawing & Sketch Design Development | Technology Management | Supply Chain Management | Material Management | Tooling Management (Plastics & Metals) | Molding Management | Commodity Management | Part Procurement Management | Resource Management | Pricing & Cost Management | Data Analysis | Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing | Machine Operation | Technical Research & Writing | Process Management | Technical Testing & Modeling | Quality Management | Patent & Contract Management | Reporting & Presentations | Regulatory & Policy Compliance (FMEA, ISO) | Conflict & Problem Solving | Relationship Management | Stakeholder Engagement | Supplier & Vendor Negotiating | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Staff Supervision & Teamwork | Written/Verbal Communications | Multitasking & Prioritization | Adaptability & Flexibility | Customer Driven & Results Driven
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Feb 2023 - July 2023
Otter Corporation - Technical Fellow
Fort Collins, CO
Carry out critical role in driving competitive technical change on product performance, cost, and quality while participating in product development, designing, manufacturing, and delivery per customer preferences. Perform authoritative advice, consults, assessment, knowledge sharing, and expertise to service levels on intentional innovation per business strategies.
- Execute in-depth research and data analysis, as well as investigation of emerging technologies, to influence technical development projects while determining opportunities and enhancements to products for high customer experience.
- Function independently in progressing from ambiguity to solidified concept to guarantee achievement of ideated goals.
- Initiate evaluation of product design and architecture to distinguish product feasibility and business impact while recommending alternative solutions with sufficient data to select appropriate directions among options.
- Showcase sound judgment, analytical skills, attention to detail, and negotiation skills to support world-class and cost- effective product development to product implementation while prioritizing achievement of customer expectations.
- Leverage background in advanced testing techniques, benchmarking, modeling, target setting, project management, performance metrics, and method development while taking part in technical reviews to cultivate product serviceability.
- Interface with non-technical audience to translate complex technical issues while engaging with product team/partners, executives, subject matter experts, and sales support to present information with strong accuracy.
- Foster trusting relationships with cross-functional teams to mentor on workflows and escalate issues for timely resolutions.
- Navigate technical due diligence to support new partnerships with securing IP and file patents for product integrity.
Otter Corporation - Director, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Engineering
Fort Collins, CO
Commanded in-depth leadership of engineering teams on end-to-end manufacturing and advanced materials workflows while complying with technical requirements, material specifications, and operational standards.
- Concluded supplier quality checks, process performance evaluations, and manufacturing analysis to increase integrity.
- Liaised with engineering teams to generate ideas on continuous improvements for process optimizations.
Otter Corporation - Director, Global Process Engineering
Fort Collins, CO
Chaired strategic leadership to teams of tooling, manufacturing, and supplier quality engineers for product development activities while promoting conformance with product requirements, material specifications, and creative best practices.
- Navigated design, optimization, and implementation of processes to maximize resources, cost savings, and overall quality.
- Worked closely with engineering teams to drive transformation to existing manufacturing processes for productivity.
Otter Corporation - Director, Tooling & Manufacturing
Fort Collins, CO
Administrated comprehensive supervision to large engineering team on tooling and manufacturing procedures for product offerings while maximizing material requirements, technological resources, and production guidelines.
- Directed tooling and manufacturing workflows to support product development for OtterBox and LifeProof brands.
- Exemplified accountability in leading advanced technology team to source new materials, technologies, and procedures.
- Prioritized quality improvements and cost optimizations for various product offerings to amplify company efficiency.
Otter Corporation - Advanced Technology Manager
Fort Collins, CO
Superintended technical leadership to engineering team on various product development activities for new series while assuring consistent compliance with material requirements, technical specifications, and industry best practices.
- Regulated evaluation, investigation, and validations of new materials and components to safeguard maximum functionality.
- Completed regular reviews of tooling technologies and new or existing manufacturing processes to sustain operability.
- Moderated identification of continuous improvement to strengthen and accelerate product development efforts.
Otter Corporation - Principal Development Engineer
Fort Collins, CO
Instituted strategic oversight on pre-processes and post-processes workflows of product development initiatives for new series while emphasizing uniformity with standardized requirements, component specifications, and company best practices.
- Built collaborative engagement with engineering team to conceptualize new product offerings for target demographics.
- Worked closely with engineering team to transform product vision into actual products for company profitability.
Hewlett Packard Corporation - Notebook Mechanical Development Engineer, Mechanical Program Manager, Tooling Procurement Specialist
Houston, TX
Spearheaded mechanical development up to delivery process for commercial notebook products while maintaining strict alignment with procedures. Exhibited collaboration with cross-functional teams while coordinating with OEM suppliers, ODM partners, and third-party mechanical vendors on mechanical design (DFM), workflows, and issue resolution.
- Functioned as lead mechanical engineer to fulfill product development of over eight new products throughout tenure while providing support to program milestones, schedules, and communications within deadlines.
- Contributed during brainstorming of new ideas and methodologies while supplying expertise to project teams and participating in various cross-functional initiatives on new tooling development to drive continuous improvement.
- Handled tooling and sub-supplier strategies while orchestrating mechanical-approved vendor list to support program.
- Led reviews of plastic and metal designs to ensure manufacturability while completing testing for product validation.
EARLY WORK EXPERIENCE
Compaq Computer Corporation & Compaq Computer - Plastic Tooling Development Engineer
Houston, TX
Facilitated writing of tooling specifications, management of tooling development, deliverance of mechanical design services, and estimation of tooling costs while conducting design assessments for tool usability per technical specifications. Leveraged knowledge of plastic tooling production across four APAC/Asia countries (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China).
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science: Industrial Technology - Plastics Manufacturing Sequence
Illinois State University – Normal, IL
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, TRAINING
- Injection Molding Specialist Certification. GE Plastics training program
- Fundamentals of Additive Manufacturing Certification, Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- Tool, Die, & Mold Making Programs Certification Tooling & Manufacturing Association, Chicago Chapter
- Active Member & Subject Matter Expert, Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- Active Member, Society of Plastic Engineers
- Active Member & Representative, Plastics Industry Association
ACAD | Pro-Engineering 3D & 2D | SolidWorks | ePDM | Agile PLM | PTC Creo | Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
