Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Karl W. French

Liberty TWP,OH

Summary

Dynamic leader with extensive experience in project management and process engineering at Jedson Engineering, Inc. Proven track record in delivering complex construction projects on time and under budget. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and design coordination, driving innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and safety. Recognized for fostering collaborative design environments and optimizing manufacturing processes.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Construction Support and Process Engineering Leader

Jedson Engineering, Inc.
Cincinnati, OH
02.2025 - Current
  • Design and construction support for modified/new process building
  • Assisted in completing basement excavations to rework micropiles and column support rebar structures (including coordinating design questions and updates from our Structural Engineer).
  • Supported the concrete sub-contractor in completing the concrete pours (including coordinating the Geo Tech engineer's questions and interfaces with the client and sub).
  • Supported and coordinated the sub-contractor hired to support the concrete mezzanine and saw cut penetrations to enable columns to be set and anchored.
  • Supported and coordinated the steel sub-contractor in setting and anchoring the steel columns.
  • Developed solutions and managed the removal of several interferences to enable horizontal steel braces to be installed.
  • Led the review effort for the client's new phasing strategy - feasibility, constructability and implementation changeover.
  • Assisted in developing the next phase of detailed engineering scope and cost.
  • Design coordination - Process and Piping (including redlining modified and new P&IDs).
  • Assisted the client in evaluating process equipment submittals (approval drawings).
  • Developed routing options for product conveying equipment with least disruption to current operations (very complex and difficult process).

Design Manager

Jedson Engineering, Inc
Cincinnati, OH
11.2022 - 04.2025
  • Completion of the pre-validation and validation phases (including several collaborative design sessions with the client and all trade partners).
  • Validation conclusion with Bases of Design documents and Target Value Delivery approach agreements in place (including a comprehensive Validation Cost Workbook with clear scope, and scope activities documented).
  • Creation of an aligned Design Responsibility Matrix, which included which partners owned specific scope activities and to what Level of Design (LOD).
  • Creation of a unique drawing numbering system to facilitate ease of use for trade partners and subs.
  • Facilitation and support for a phased permitting strategy for all disciplines.
  • Creation and training of the RFI and submittals system utilizing Procore.
  • Facilitation of LEED design documents to enable LEED certification.

Process & Packaging Department Manager

Jedson Engineering, Inc.
Cincinnati, OH
07.2022 - 03.2024
  • Onboarded and met 1:1 with all department personnel; learned strengths, opportunities, and career aspirations.
  • Facilitated work assignments for the department based on skills, capabilities, and project needs.
  • Worked with project managers to match personnel to projects based on best fit and availability.
  • Developed and instituted a 4-week look-ahead forecast of work for each department team member.
  • Developed department bi-weekly team meeting; topics included safety, birthdays, anniversaries, company priorities, project proposals, new projects, and staffing needs.
  • Coordinated and integrated process staffing across multiple Jedson offices. In partnership with Jedson project managers, I aligned project needs with team members, optimizing the utilization of time and skill sets.
  • Facilitated skills and capability advancement for team members via lunch-and-learns and specialized training.
  • Facilitated team member advancements based on demonstrated capabilities and career needs.

Senior Manager, Research & Development Coffee Process

The J.M. Smucker Company
Orrville, USA
03.2021 - 07.2022
  • Member of the Coffee R&D Leadership Team. Responsible for coaching and managing the Coffee R&D Process Team.
  • Promoted to Senior Manager in R&D during the organization restructuring and downsizing of March 2021.
  • Assumed ‘director’ type responsibilities for Process when the director role was eliminated as part of the reorganization.
  • Led the offboarding and onboarding of Process team members.
  • Directed the improvement work for engagement on the broader Process team with particular attention to the PRL technicians.
  • Led and reinforced the quality and safety culture for the Process department with special emphasis during the Daily Direction Setting (DDS) meetings.
  • Managed capital systems for Coffee R&D.

Manager, Research & Development Coffee Process

The J.M. Smucker Company
Orrville, USA
10.2018 - 03.2021
  • Effectively transitioned from Corporate Engineering to Coffee R&D.
  • Responsible for coaching and managing the Coffee R&D Process Team.
  • Responsible for capital project management and coaching.
  • Effectively onboarded with the Coffee R&D department and the Process Team.
  • Coaching and development of peers and team members acknowledged as a key strength.
  • Assumed leadership and all project management responsibilities for the Solex Pilot Plant Dryer Project (1/10 scale).
  • Led the Food Defense (KE 18) work for Coffee R&D.

Senior Manager, Corporate Engineering

JM Smucker
Orrville, OH
01.2017 - 09.2018
  • Led the efforts to 'save' the Folgers Singles business after Atlantic Coffee Solutions (ACS) exited the business and shut down their Houston, TX, plant. Completed the work in phases to establish some capability before losing project shelf space. Result: The singles business was saved, continuing to yield approximately $4-6 million in net outside sales.
  • Consumer Support – Led the ingredient variation study and resolution for Scottsville’s Bakery 2. Identified and led the effort to resolve significant safety issues in both Bakery 1 and Bakery 2. Commissioned a process safety study to be completed, and recommendations implemented Result: Four dry ingredient excessive variability issues were significantly reduced. Source of contamination issues (leading to explosion risks) identified and resolved. The process safety study was completed, and follow-up actions completed.
  • Led the engineering deliverables (Identify, Create, Execute, Start-up) for the existing dryer heat exchanger and fan replacement, and assumed project management responsibilities to complete and successfully start up the new steam-based heat exchanger. Result: Completed the installation, commissioning, qualification, and verification of the new heating system on time and within budget. Factory Talk screen graphics were updated, and dryer technicians were trained on the new system successfully. Both dryers (including the rental boiler) were successfully commissioned, re-centered, and started up safely.
  • Successfully hired and onboarded an experienced engineering manager to Corporate Engineering. Successfully trained and coached two people to replace my role in Coffee Engineering/TSO. Also trained and onboarded the new dryer start-up leader. Result: the new dryer and existing dryer heater replacement (including condensate sub-cooler), and rental boiler improvements were successfully transitioned to complete post start up (PSU) items and complete verification.

Senior Manager, Process Engineering Coffee

JM Smucker
Orrville, OH
12.2012 - 01.2017
  • Led and delivered the Almonaster Warehouse Paving Project for Coffee Silo Operations. Result: The project was delivered on a rapid timeline, on budget, and without trucking disruption.
  • As the project manager, I led the Perfect Measures Lead Market Engineering and Operations Team. Result: Delivered a successful start-up on time and under budget at the Chef Plant in New Orleans. This project included a brand new packing line, new tablet press technology, and multiple process system enhancements to deliver a 'new to the world' product innovation (coffee tablets).
  • Contributed to the development of a streamlined Smucker engineering work process, via the Corporate IM Pillar Team. Result: The first two modified phases (Identify and Create) were piloted and utilized for managing larger capital projects.
  • Led the Red Ahead Execution Team as Program Manager. Result: Delivered an aggressive, fast-paced start-up and conversion to a new Classic formula that yielded better taste and significant savings.
  • Led the Identify and Create phase, process engineering deliverables for the new dryer, and later assumed project management responsibilities to complete the project. Result: Completed conceptual and definition engineering of the Solex Dryer (serial #1) and its ancillary equipment within an aggressive schedule. The project was commissioned, qualified, and verified on time and within budget.

Director, Early Management, Global Engineering

SC Johnson
Racine, USA
12.2012 - 07.2013
  • Responsible for implementing global Early Management (EM) methodology, including a 3-year master plan to progressively improve results in vertical start-ups.
  • Led and completed review of existing engineering work process (EWP) materials.
  • Conducted EM leadership and practitioner training sessions for global Engineering, Research Development & Engineering (RD&E), Commercialization and Contract Manufacturing.
  • Facilitated first EM phase review in Brantford, Canada plant.

Director, Pringles Technical Services

Kellogg Company
Cincinnati, USA
05.2012 - 11.2012
  • Responsible for leading post-acquisition integration of Pringles global Materials, Process & Delivery (MPD) organization into Kelloggs.
  • Completed transition of global MPD Packaging organization to separate Kellogg function.
  • Developed and completed the 2013 global MPD business plan and budget in Kellogg format.

Section Head, Pringles Technical Packaging

Procter & Gamble
Cincinnati, USA
06.2010 - 05.2012
  • Responsible for capacity expansion, quality improvement, raw and packaging materials, and savings projects.
  • Led staff of 41.
  • Served as interim leader of Global Raw Materials MPD section.
  • Optimized North American and European MPD budget, including compensation, travel, and training.

Section Head

Procter & Gamble Co
Cincinnati, OH
07.2006 - 05.2012
  • Successfully completed various roles during 24+ years, including:
  • Section Head, Pringles Global Technical Packaging.
  • Corporate Technical Engineering School Dean.
  • Section Head, Fabric Care Engineering.
  • Section Head, Fabric and Home Care: Materials and Process Optimization.
  • Section Head, Salted Snacks Global Degradings, and Variations Reduction Program Leader.
  • Section Head, Salted Snacks, Global Process Engineering, and Technical Services Organization.
  • Section Head, Salted Snacks, Global Process Technical Services.

Education

All But Dissertation (A.B.D.) - Industrial & Systems Engineering

University of Alabama-Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
01.2001

M.S. Degree - Industrial Engineering

University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
01.1991

B.S. Degree - Mechanical Engineering

Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
05-1988

Skills

  • Project management
  • Process engineering
  • Design coordination
  • Construction management
  • Effective communication
  • Problem solving
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Design troubleshooting
  • Engineering documentation
  • Systems engineering practices
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Collaborative design

Personal Information

Certification

Senior manager with over 37 years of multi-functional experience in global consumer goods. Expertise in process engineering, process technical services, technical packaging, materials management, manufacturing, process development, product launch/start-ups/commissioning/qualifications, project management, and quality. Background in organizational design and development, cross-functional leadership, and management development.

Timeline

Construction Support and Process Engineering Leader

Jedson Engineering, Inc.
02.2025 - Current

Design Manager

Jedson Engineering, Inc
11.2022 - 04.2025

Process & Packaging Department Manager

Jedson Engineering, Inc.
07.2022 - 03.2024

Senior Manager, Research & Development Coffee Process

The J.M. Smucker Company
03.2021 - 07.2022

Manager, Research & Development Coffee Process

The J.M. Smucker Company
10.2018 - 03.2021

Senior Manager, Corporate Engineering

JM Smucker
01.2017 - 09.2018

Senior Manager, Process Engineering Coffee

JM Smucker
12.2012 - 01.2017

Director, Early Management, Global Engineering

SC Johnson
12.2012 - 07.2013

Director, Pringles Technical Services

Kellogg Company
05.2012 - 11.2012

Section Head, Pringles Technical Packaging

Procter & Gamble
06.2010 - 05.2012

Section Head

Procter & Gamble Co
07.2006 - 05.2012

All But Dissertation (A.B.D.) - Industrial & Systems Engineering

University of Alabama-Huntsville

M.S. Degree - Industrial Engineering

University of Tennessee

B.S. Degree - Mechanical Engineering

Tennessee State University

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