KATIE GARNETT
Summary
Packaging and Commercialization Leader with a proven track record managing end-to-end projects for new products and brand updates. Expert in vendor management, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering high-quality, on-time, cost-effective solutions.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Packaging Engineer
Harbor Freight Tools
08.2023 - Current
- Lead packaging initiatives for new product development and brand updates from concept through commercialization.
- Partner cross-functionally with merchandising, sourcing, store environment, and graphics teams to ensure functional, on-brand packaging and seamless on-shelf execution.
- Author packaging specification documents for vendors, covering dielines, packaging materials, and printing requirements to ensure compliant and high-quality production.
- Oversee vendor development, testing, and validation of packaging solutions, ensuring compliance with packaging and graphic specifications.
- Partner with the graphics team to seamlessly integrate graphics into packaging designs.
- Manage thousands of package designs across multiple brands and categories, ensuring on-time delivery.
Packaging Engineer
Harbor Freight Tools
03.2021 - Current
- Worked cross-functionally with Marketing, Sourcing, and Engineering teams to design packaging structures across multiple categories.
- Monitored weekly task completions and evaluate workflow processes to highlight inefficiencies and communicate trends/metrics.
- Developed and coordinate test plans for package validation.
- Worked with product and packaging vendors to ensure package designs are optimized for manufacturability and ocean transport.
Contract Sourcing Specialist
Meijer
12.2019 - 03.2021
- Developed and issueed RFI’s, RFP’s, and Invitations to Bid to suppliers.
- Negotiate contract pricing and terms and report savings found to business partners by benchmarking and analyzing spend data.
- Participated in cross-functional teams that assess the opportunities and supply markets in order to develop, implement and institutionalize various sourcing strategies.
Contract Packaging Engineer
Meijer
10.2019 - 03.2021
- Partnered with cross-functional business partners to design and procure packaging and supply items needed for store operations.
- Managed supplier relationships, issued POs, and addressed invoice issues.
- Analyzed and negotiated pricing and payment terms from bid events.
Associate Packaging Engineer
Newell Brands
06.2017 - 08.2019
- Benchmarked and assessed competitive products to understand the consumer and current market trends.
- Collaborated cross-functionally to lead consumer-driven, omnichannel package development for new product launches.
- Managed multiple brands to deploy packaging strategy and provide guidance on customer requirements relative to design and cost parameters.
- Ideated, designed, prototyped, and validated package design from inception through commercialization.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Packaging
Michigan State University
Skills
- SAP
- Oracle
- Adobe (Illustrator, Photoshop)
- ArtiosCAD
- CAPE/TOPS
- Solidworks
- Workfront
Timeline
Senior Packaging Engineer
Harbor Freight Tools
08.2023 - Current
Packaging Engineer
Harbor Freight Tools
03.2021 - Current
Contract Sourcing Specialist
Meijer
12.2019 - 03.2021
Contract Packaging Engineer
Meijer
10.2019 - 03.2021
Associate Packaging Engineer
Newell Brands
06.2017 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Science - Packaging
Michigan State University