Christopher Shellenbarger
Fountain Inn,SC
Summary
Results-driven professional with 17 years of comprehensive experience in troubleshooting across all phases of thermoforming, tooling, extrusion, blending, and drying equipment. Expertise includes a wide range of materials such as PP, PE, APET, PS, CPET, PLA, HIPS, and HDPE. Demonstrated adaptability and excellence across various roles, progressing from packer to leadership positions while achieving significant operational improvements. Committed to leveraging extensive technical knowledge and hands-on experience to drive efficiency and quality in manufacturing processes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Process engineer
D&W finepack
Fountain Inn, South Carolina
01.2023 - Current
- Manufactured thin gauge polypropylene and foam thermoformed food packaging using roll stock processing.
- Collaborated with corporate engineer on plant development project.
- Composed thorough write-ups for capital project proposals.
- Oversaw operations of tooling and setup team.
- Created detailed procedural documents for extrusion and thermoforming operations.
- Conducted comprehensive on-the-job training in extrusion and thermoforming departments.
- Facilitated timely preparation and changeover of tools and extruders.
- Developed and implemented process sheets for consistent production.
- Oversaw procurement and maintenance of tooling and spare parts.
- Assisted in establishing preventive maintenance program for extrusion and thermoforming.
- Increased efficiency of thermoforming operations for quicker cycle times.
- Directed trial activities across extrusion and thermoforming units.
- Managed vendor activities within the plant.
- Always working on a new continuous improvement project
- Implemented strategies to enhance efficiency and decrease waste in extrusion operations.
Thermoforming Process Supervisor
Nursery Supplies, Inc
Orange, CA
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Managed production operations.
- Oversaw all administrative responsibilities in thermoforming, injection molding, and blow molding production areas.
- Guarantee production targets are achieved and completed work orders are promptly returned and documented.
- Maintained seamless transition between shifts by managing email correspondence.
- Achieve cycle standards by keeping production monitors current.
- Ensure precise tracking of production counts.
- Adjust workforce by calling in or sending home staff according to schedule.
- Maintained communication by emailing updates on shift performance and order completion.
- Ensured compliance with established process sheets in coordination with Thermoforming manager.
Supervisor
RPLANETEARTH
Vernon, CA
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: Manufacturing of thin gauge thermoforming food packaging using roll stock process.
- Conducted comprehensive employee training sessions.
- Educated maintenance personnel on effective problem-solving techniques for extrusion and thermoforming.
- Monitored compliance with production timelines using appropriate material combinations.
- Collaborated with management to explore solutions and innovations in the plant.
- Partnered with vendor to verify equipment performance.
- Verified iv and b values adhered to customer standards in collaboration with quality department.
- Ensured timely procurement of required materials.
- Created detailed documentation for SOPs and JOAs in the manufacturing sector.
- Ensured efficient operation of the production line to process sheets.
- Oversaw splitting and cleaning of die in manufacturing.
- Ensured team awareness by sending regular shift summaries and progress updates via email.
Process Engineer
Genpak
Charlotte, NC
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Manufacturing of thin gauge thermoformed food packaging using both inline and roll stock processing.
- Created an operator skills book and provided training to all operators.
- Ensured all process sheets were consistently up-to-date.
- Partnered with quality assurance to maintain high standards in parts distribution.
- Managed inventory of tooling and spare parts.
- Oversaw operations of trial processes.
- Created SOPs and JOAs to standardize operator procedures.
- Collaborated with maintenance teams to resolve machine malfunctions promptly.
- Ensured adherence to product schedules and timelines.
- Supported Maintenance Manager in developing preventive maintenance program.
- Coordinated with corporate engineers to prepare for the manufacturing release of new machines and products.
- Participated in efforts to improve safety protocols.
- Verified process adherence among operators.
- Resolved issues remotely and provided on-site support when necessary.
Lead Operator
Wna
Chattanooga, TN
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: Manufacturing of light gauge and heavy gauge thermoformed food packaging using both inline and roll stock processing.
- Facilitated skill development for operators.
- Managed team operations in absence of supervisor.
- Monitored line performance to align with process specifications.
- Completed shift summaries to document plant activities.
- Verified operators' adherence to paperwork requirements.
- Facilitate machine startup and provide troubleshooting guidance to operators.
- Collaborated closely with maintenance team.
- Verified alignment with product schedule.
Extrusion Operator
Octal
Cincinnati, OH
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Responsible for operating PTI twin screw extruder in the production of light gauge PET sheet that is sold to thermoforming companies.
Operator Level 3
Sabert
Shepherdsville, KY
01.2009 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: Manufacturer of light gauge thermoformed food packaging products using both inline and roll stock processing.
- Facility houses 6 thermoformers (Brown, Lyle and Komatsu) and 6 Reifenhauser extruders.
- Materials processed include PET, PLA, polypropylene and CPET.
- Adjust machine (heat, vacuum, air, clamps, water rails and others)
- Keep up with boxes and bags on the line.
- Responsible for giving packers their breaks.
- Filled in for Shift Supervisor/Shift Manager during vacations, breaks and illness.
- Gained a good understanding of SAP during tenure.
- Do quality checks every two hours to make sure that the parts are at the right weight and specs.
- Oversee keeping up with making sure that there is material going to the line and that we are making good sheet.
- If there is a tool change, must get extruder set up for the job we are running and make good sheet.
- Then either must help with the tool change or do it myself.
- Then bring machine up and make sure that the processes are good and that we are making a good finished product.
- Machine setup / troubleshooting: Give direction to other workers regarding machine setup and use.
- Perform effective troubleshooting of thermoformer, extruder and materials.
- Safety: As a first responder, would be the first on the site of an injury for assigned shift.
- Would also to make sure people are safely out of the building if there is a fire or storm.
- Safety Audit: Do a 'walk around' every morning before shift to identify any problem or issues that need attention.
- Production: Consistently meet production and schedule level and at the top of production levels.
- Extruder set up: Can re-deckle die and set roll height to make good sheet, and adjust melt pump to get right part weight, and troubleshoot problems with material getting to get to extruder.
- Machine operation: Enter / document the correct run time of the machine, any down time and how much was used on that machine everyday.
- Manufacturer of light gauge thermoformed food packaging products using both inline and roll stock processing.
Process Technician
Berry Plastics
Louisville, KY
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Company Overview: Plant made injection molded 50 milliliter bottles for the beverage market.
- Responsible for troubleshooting equipment and processing issues
- Perform color changes
- Changed out Gaylord packaging and Loaded semi-trucks
- Handled breaks for other employees as needed.
- Plant made injection molded 50 milliliter bottles for the beverage market.
Field Service Technician
Dematic Electrical Contractors
Grand Rapids, MI
06.2006 - 09.2009
- Company Overview: Manufacturing of thin gauge thermoforming food packaging using roll stock process.
- Conducted comprehensive employee training sessions.
- Educated maintenance personnel on effective problem-solving techniques for extrusion and thermoforming.
- Monitored compliance with production timelines using appropriate material combinations.
- Collaborated with management to explore solutions and innovations in the plant.
- Partnered with vendor to verify equipment performance.
- Verified iv and b values adhered to customer standards in collaboration with quality department.
- Ensured timely procurement of required materials.
- Created detailed documentation for SOPs and JOAs in the manufacturing sector.
- Ensured efficient operation of the production line to process sheets.
- Oversaw splitting and cleaning of die in manufacturing.
- Ensured team awareness by sending regular shift summaries and progress updates via email.
Education
high school diploma -
Lakewood High School
Lake Odessa, MI01.2006
Skills
- Data analysis
- Process development
- Team collaboration
- Process validation
- Waste reduction
- Process flow analysis
- Continuous improvement
- Equipment optimization
- Project oversight
- Process flows
- Mechanical engineering knowledge
- Statistical process control
- Manufacturing improvement
- New process implementation
- Cycle time optimization
- Technical troubleshooting
Training
Completed all of the extrusion and thermoforming Paulson training classes
Summary Highlights
- Skilled in troubleshooting in all phases of thermoforming, tooling, thermoforming, extrusion, blending and drying equipment.
- Materials PP, PE, APET, PS, CPET, PLA, HIPS, HDPE
- 17 years experience starting from packer and moved up the ranks to process engineer
- Fast learner, problem solver
Timeline
Process engineer
D&W finepack
01.2023 - Current
Thermoforming Process Supervisor
Nursery Supplies, Inc
01.2019 - 01.2023
Supervisor
RPLANETEARTH
01.2018 - 01.2019
Process Engineer
Genpak
01.2017 - 01.2018
Lead Operator
Wna
01.2016 - 01.2017
Extrusion Operator
Octal
01.2015 - 01.2016
Process Technician
Berry Plastics
01.2015 - 12.2015
Operator Level 3
Sabert
01.2009 - 01.2016
Field Service Technician
Dematic Electrical Contractors
06.2006 - 09.2009
high school diploma -
Lakewood High School