KYLE TRAN
Mckinney,USA
Summary
Strategic Category Professional with over 10 years of experience managing high-value packaging portfolios and supply chain initiatives. Proven track record in overseeing $30M in regional spend, driving $6M+ in annual cost-out projects, and optimizing supplier performance. Expert in bridging the gap between technical requirements and commercial strategy to improve total cost of ownership (TCO).
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
PACKAGING DEVELOPMENT EXPERT
KONE
12.2024 - Current
- Cost Optimization: Directed the technical validation and implementation of $294K in annual material savings through strategic supplier realignments.
- Sustainability Strategy: Spearheaded a circular economy initiative, transitioning to recycled wood solutions and diversifying the supplier base to mitigate risk.
- Process Governance: Standardized the Packaging Approval process (PFEP) for the Modernization program, ensuring supplier compliance and streamlined onboarding.
CATEGORY PACKAGING SPECIALIST
EATON CORPORATION
05.2020 - 11.2024
- Spend Management: Co-managed a $30M North American packaging category, executing regional sourcing strategies across 4 global business sectors.
- Financial Performance: Delivered a 5% year-over-year cost reduction through aggressive supplier management and contract optimization.
- Portfolio Oversight: Orchestrated a $6M cost-savings roadmap in 2023, identifying and capturing efficiencies across high-volume manufacturing sites.
- Strategic Sourcing: Defined the North American sourcing strategy, balancing cost, quality, and supplier lead times to support New Product Introductions (NPI).
- Risk & Quality Management: Mitigated financial risk by reducing warranty claims by 90% at the Dallas DC and achieving $300K in cost avoidance through design standardization.
- Commercial Support: Partnered with the Mobility division to provide strategic cost modeling and competitive quotes for new business bids.
PACKAGING ENGINEER
POLARIS INDUSTRIES
04.2018 - 04.2020
- Supply Chain Efficiency: Optimized supplier packaging protocols, generating $430K in annual savings and improving inbound logistics flow.
- Freight Optimization: Increased truck utilization through volume-density analysis, resulting in $1.1M in annual logistics cost reductions.
- Global Launch Management: Managed the project lifecycle for a global launch in Poland, coordinating timelines for 25+ critical part numbers.
- Value Engineering: Captured $371K in BOM and logistics savings through the redesign of export engine packs and vac-form tray systems.
PACKAGING ENGINEER
FIAT CHRYSLER
06.2016 - 03.2018
- Project Lifecycle Management: Managed end-to-end packaging development for major vehicle programs, ensuring on-time launch and budget compliance.
- Strategic Conversion: Achieved $250K in savings by converting vacuum-form trays to injection-molded trays to increase shipping density.
- Data Integrity: Maintained a centralized database for 150+ part numbers.
- Increased shipping density and saved $250,000 by switching from vacuum form to injection molded trays.
- Tested and validated packaging prototypes using ISTA and ASTM standard.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Packaging
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MISkills
- Commercial: Strategic Sourcing, Spend Analysis, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Contract Negotiation Support
- Technical/Systems: Creo, SAP, AS400, Teamcenter, NX, Microsoft Office
- Operational: PFEP, NPI Launch, ISTA/ASTM Standards, Project Management, Root Cause Analysis
Timeline
PACKAGING DEVELOPMENT EXPERT
KONE
12.2024 - Current
CATEGORY PACKAGING SPECIALIST
EATON CORPORATION
05.2020 - 11.2024
PACKAGING ENGINEER
POLARIS INDUSTRIES
04.2018 - 04.2020
PACKAGING ENGINEER
FIAT CHRYSLER
06.2016 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Science - Packaging
Michigan State University