John Jairo Mendez Sanchez

Director of R&D, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement

LAMIEMPAQUES S.A.S

Dec 2023 - Mar 2025 (1 year 4 months)

• Led R&D cross-functional team of 13 across ideation to production scaling.
• Architected and rolled out a hybrid project methodology (Agile for design, Waterfall for execution) in MS Project and MS Planner; cut concept-to-launch by 30%.
• Oversaw 28 projects in 2024: 8 launched by Q2 with 800% YoY growth.
• Introduced 3D printing & high-efficiency tooling materials: reduced prototype lead time by 60%.
• Executed CAD tooling & product design process and file management standardization, implementing SolidWorks PLM (3DExperience) platform.
• Implemented preventive maintenance system using CMMS tools.
• Provided training to junior engineers in mechanical calculations and CAD design (SolidWorks) for co

Packaging Development Specialist

Luker Chocolate

Feb 2023 - Nov 2023 (10 months)

• Managed projects to develop packaging solutions for premium B2B chocolate exports (private label US clients).
• Spearheaded sustainable materials initiative and supplier audits.
• Launched productivity and waste reduction projects across semi-automated lines, while also applying mechanical engineering principles in machine setups and end-of-line tooling redesign using CAD and calculations for high-frequency form-fill-seal (HFFS) and bag-in-box (BFF) coffee and chocolate packing production lines.

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R&D Lead Project Manager

TEKNIPLEX – MULTIDIMENSIONALES

Feb 2022 - Mar 2023 (1 year 2 months)

• Launched paper-based cup with 2PE layers for international customers, replacing plastic-based designs and achieving +35% top load compression resistance vs. competitors.
• Initiated PCR PP strategy, impacting 80%+ of portfolio potential.
• Coordinated cross-border teams in US & LATAM, ensuring effective collaboration and project alignment.
• Utilized SolidWorks for mechanical calculations and CAD design of complex thermoforming molds, which enhanced the efficiency of tool shop manufacturing and ensured precise tolerance and fit determination. Additionally, oversaw material selection and parts manufacturing supervision to maintain high-quality standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Senior R&D Project Engineer

Grupo Phoenix is now TekniPlex

Jan 2020 - Jan 2022 (2 years 1 month)

• Co-developed patented tamper-evident PP trays, improving product design through extensive testing and DOE execution and analysis.
• Led a $500K+ retrofit project of Illig RDK80 for inline extrusion, thermoforming rigid containers for the USA dairy industry.
• Designed packaging formats for food service channels (e.g., hinged-lid containers), while also applying MEP principles to ensure comprehensive project execution. This included performing mechanical calculations and utilizing CAD design (Solidworks) for complex thermoforming molds, creating tool shop manufacturing drawings, determining tolerances and fits, selecting materials, and supervising parts manufacturing.

Interim Production Manager

Grupo Phoenix is now TekniPlex

Apr 2019 - Jan 2020 (10 months)

• Directed daily ops for 7 production extrusion / thermoforming lines (100+ staff)
• Increased capacity by 10% on flagship PET-PP lines.
• Generated $1.2MM savings via process control redesigns & equipment upgrades

Senior R&D Project Engineer

Grupo Phoenix is now TekniPlex

Dec 2016 - Apr 2019 (2 years 5 months)

• Delivered 15+ high-impact packaging solutions (e.g., triangular PET yogurt cups) from product design (CAD) to production steady output implementation.
• Led DOE-driven improvement programs to raise OEE by 12% avg.
• Managed projects to develop new products that generated over $20M in annual revenue for businesses. Additionally, applied MEP principles through mechanical calculations and CAD design (Solidworks) for complex thermoforming molds, which included creating tool shop manufacturing drawings, determining tolerances and fits, selecting materials, and supervising parts manufacturing to ensure high-quality production standards.

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R&D Project Engineer

TEKNIPLEX – MULTIDIMENSIONALES

Dec 2012 - Dec 2016 (4 years 1 month)

• Designed in-house rapid prototyping systems for tooling.
• Spearheaded end-to-end development of plastic packaging projects: guided multidisciplinary teams through concept, capital-expenditure control, tooling and product CAD design, machine commissioning, and process-control engineering.
• Reduced tooling iteration times by 40% through early design optimization, while also applying MEP principles to ensure comprehensive project execution. This included performing mechanical calculations and CAD design (Solidworks) for complex thermoforming molds, creating tool shop manufacturing drawings, determining tolerances and fits, selecting materials, and supervising parts manufacturing to enhance overall project efficiency.

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Plant Engineer

Barrera Alsar S.A.S

Jun 2011 - Nov 2012 (1 year 6 months)

• Construction Documentation: Managed 200+ CAD drawings for Cartagena Free Trade Zone warehouses, ensuring accuracy and compliance with project specifications.
• Production management: Led multidisciplinary teams through concept, capital-expenditure control, Structural Steel and Sheetmetal fabrication for buildings, on-site coordination, and process-control engineering.
• Submittal Prep: Standardized material test reports for structural steel projects, enhancing the efficiency of project documentation. Additionally, utilized SolidWorks for detail engineering, creating precise drawings and blueprints for structural steel fabrications in civil engineering applications, which complemented my AutoCAD expertise.

• Metalmechanics Department Coordinator / Sr. Mechanical Designer

Ectricol

Feb 2009 - May 2010 (1 year 4 months)

Spearheaded a team of 35 technicians through Sheetmetal and structural steel fabrications. Implemented CAD/ CAM standardization in both SolidWorks & AutoCAD, as well in CNC software.

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Design assistant

Manufacturas VM Ltda.

Oct 2007 - Dec 2008 (1 year 3 months)

As a Design Assistant, I was responsible for designing heavy sheet metal forming/stamping, punching, and die cutting tools for large appliance panels, while performing CAD/CAM tasks using SolidWorks and AutoCAD. My role involved creating detailed designs and ensuring precision in the manufacturing process. Additionally, I applied my knowledge of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) principles to enhance the design of complex sheet metal progressive dies, including forming, stamping, and trimming processes in SolidWorks, which contributed to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the tooling designs.

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Production Shift Supervisor / Draughtsman - CNC Programmer

Servimecol

Jul 2006 - Jan 2007 (7 months)

Led a team of 35 persons, through Sheetmetal and structural steel fabrications. Performed CAD files adjustments (from customers and designers) and executed CAM/CNC programming.

John Jairo Mendez Sanchez

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John Jairo Mendez Sanchez

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