Packaging Engineering Consultant
Jeffrey M Schuetz
Jeffrey M Schuetz
Jeffrey Schuetz
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Jeff holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and has over 40 years of leadership experience in industrial research and development. Jeff started his career in packaging development with Viskase Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty films and casings for the meat and dairy industry. After 14 years with Viskase, Jeff joined Sonoco Products Company as Technology Manager for the newly formed Flexible Packaging Division. Prior to his August 2022 retirement from Sonoco, he was leading a global team responsible for the technology efforts across Sonoco’s Consumer Packaging businesses including flexible, rigid paper and rigid plastic packaging. In addition to Product and Process Development, Jeff’s expertise includes Open Innovation, Product Safety, Sustainable Packaging Design, and IP Management. He also chaired Sonoco’s Corporate Technology Council and served on its Sustainability Council. Jeff is passionate about technical education and has served on a number of advisory boards throughout his career at Clemson University, Florence-Darlington Technical College and ScienceSouth. He holds 45 U.S. patents related to packaging.
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
November 2002 – August 2022
Sonoco Products Company
Staff Vice President, Global Technology March 2004 - August 2022
Director, Global Technology – November 2002 - February 2004
Hartsville, South Carolina
July 1996 – October 2002
Sonoco Products Company
Director, Flexibles Technology – December 1999 to October 2002
Manager, Flexibles Technology – July 1996 to November 1999
Hartsville, South Carolina
1986 – 1996
Viskase Corporation
R&D Manager – 1989 to 1996
R&D Group Leader – 1986 to 1989
Chicago, Illinois
1982 – 1986
Union Carbide Corporation
Senior Engineer – 1984 to 1986
Chemical Engineer – 1982 to 1984
Chicago, Illinois
VOLUNTEERING
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science: Chemical Engineering
Purdue University – West Lafayette, Indiana
Union Carbide Corporation – The Management Program
Loyola University– Supervision Training Program
Covey Leadership Center – The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
November 2002 – August 2022
Sonoco Products Company
Staff Vice President, Global Technology March 2004 - August 2022
Director, Global Technology – November 2002 - February 2004
Hartsville, South Carolina
- Led a global team with technology responsibility for the company’s Consumer Packaging businesses. Worked closely with business leadership to develop and implement technology strategies across rigid plastic (injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, and thermoforming), rigid paper, metal closure and converted flexible packaging platforms. Managed a portfolio of hundreds of projects over 20 years. Created and led the company’s first dedicated product safety, open innovation, and sustainability teams. Participated in numerous acquisition assessments and successful integrations. Provided world-class technical service to the company and its customers in the areas of design, applied mechanics, physical/analytical testing and pilot operations. A strong advocate for voice of the customer, built strong relationships with many of the world’s largest CPG’s serving the food, beverage, home and personal care markets. Knowledgeable in material science, converting and end-user processes across multiple packaging formats.
July 1996 – October 2002
Sonoco Products Company
Director, Flexibles Technology – December 1999 to October 2002
Manager, Flexibles Technology – July 1996 to November 1999
Hartsville, South Carolina
- Created and led a technology department for the newly formed Flexible Packaging Division. As part of division staff, participated in business planning and execution to double the size of the business in less than four years. Developed a number of proprietary innovations, including easy- open/reclose features, electron beam cured coatings, specialty print features and retortable pouches and membranes.
1986 – 1996
Viskase Corporation
R&D Manager – 1989 to 1996
R&D Group Leader – 1986 to 1989
Chicago, Illinois
- Promoted to lead the R&D team responsible for the specialist films segment after Union Carbide sold the division to Viskase. Provided technical support to manufacturing, international operations, and sales & marketing organizations. Additional responsibilities included laboratory and pilot operations. Transferred film and bag making technology to new operations in the US, Brazil, and Australia.
1982 – 1986
Union Carbide Corporation
Senior Engineer – 1984 to 1986
Chemical Engineer – 1982 to 1984
Chicago, Illinois
- Responsible for product and process development projects related to plastic shrink films, bags and casings used in a variety of meat, poultry, seafood and dairy markets. Developed next generation bags for frozen poultry and bone-in red meat markets. Introduced electron beam crosslinking for films with improved toughness and heat resistance.
VOLUNTEERING
- Board Member – ScienceSouth (2007 - 2019)
- Advisory Board Member – Sonoco Institute for Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University (2012 - 2022)
- Advisory Board Chair – Sonoco Fresh, Clemson University (2020 - 2022)
- Board Member – Florence – Darlington Technical College Education Foundation (2021 - 2022)
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science: Chemical Engineering
Purdue University – West Lafayette, Indiana
Union Carbide Corporation – The Management Program
Loyola University– Supervision Training Program
Covey Leadership Center – The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People