Mary Ashlyn Rutland
Mount Holly,NC
Summary
Packaging Engineer with over 4 years of experience owning complex packaging development projects from concept through completion for consumer, e-commerce, premium, and beauty brands. Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects, manage vendor and customer relationships, coordinate packaging testing, and communicate project progress with senior leadership. Combines strong technical packaging expertise with project leadership, and a customer-focused approach to deliver functional, innovative, and commercially viable packaging solutions.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Packaging Engineer and Consultant
Atlantic Packaging
Charlotte, USA
01.2023 - Current
- Lead end-to-end packaging development projects from initial concept through prototyping, testing, vendor coordination, and final completion for a diverse portfolio of consumer and e-commerce products
- Collaborate with customers, senior leadership, sales teams, designers, testing personnel, and suppliers to balance packaging performance, manufacturability, cost, aesthetics, and project timelines.
- Develop packaging solutions for recognized consumer brands, including Sun Day Red by Tiger Woods, supporting packaging development across multiple products from concept through completion.
- Collaborate directly with packaging suppliers and maintain relationships with a network of vendors to source materials, develop prototypes, obtain samples, troubleshoot issues, and bring customer projects to completion.
- Support packaging development for beauty and personal-care brands, including ROZ Hair and Ipsy, developing solutions to protect products during extreme-temperature distribution conditions and supporting performance testing.
- Support development of consumer e-commerce packaging, including McCormick's Harry Potter finishing sugars, ensuring packaging meets product, brand, and distribution requirements for online sales.
- Coordinate weekly meetings with internal testing teams across active packaging projects, tracking testing progress, reviewing results, communicating project priorities, and incorporating findings into packaging development decisions
- Design and engineer packaging using ArtiosCAD, Adobe Illustrator, Cape Pack, and Esko Studio developing structural concepts, prototypes, specifications, and production-ready solutions
- Plan and execute packaging performance testing, including distribution and drop testing based on ISTA standards, to evaluate package performance, identify risks, and recommend design improvements.
Sales Representative Intern
E-Z-Go
Augusta, USA
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Traveled with Regional and Vertical Sales Managers to learn how to create relationships with customers and complete business deals
- Shadowed the Accounting, Finance, Customer Service, and Customer Experience teams to obtain a better understanding of the company
- Packaged and shipped E-Z-Go parts and accessories in the manufacturing facility to learn how to properly organize and ship customers their orders
- Answered phone calls from customers and assisted in helping them purchase, track, and return products
- Learned how the Commercial, Consumer, and Golf business divisions of E-Z-Go work for each sales manager
Package Engineering and Design Intern
Pratt Industries
Conyers, USA
01.2021 - 07.2021
- Engineered and designed packaging products for customers
- Worked with customer service and sales managers to discuss customers’ product orders
- Cut and assembled packaging products on the Esko CAD table
- Assisted in working and fixing machinery with the Tooling Operations Manager
- Visited customer sites to receive feedback on the company’s products
Education
Bachelor of Science - Packaging Science, Business Administration
Clemson University
Clemson, SC12.2022
Skills
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- ArtiosCAD
- Microsoft Office
- Cape Pack
- Esko Studio
- Sustainability knowledge
- Performance testing
Timeline
Packaging Engineer and Consultant
Atlantic Packaging
01.2023 - Current
Sales Representative Intern
E-Z-Go
05.2022 - 08.2022
Package Engineering and Design Intern
Pratt Industries
01.2021 - 07.2021
Bachelor of Science - Packaging Science, Business Administration
Clemson University