Kendra Fein
R&D Manager at Hoffmaster
- Role
- R & d Manager at Hoffmaster
- Location
- Neenah, WI, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Kendra Fein
Combining creativity in research and development with interpersonal and technical skills to advance innovation. A unique background that includes degrees in paper engineering (B.S.) and chemical engineering (PhD), research on cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), pilot and industrial trials, technical communication, lab and employee management, project management, technical customer support, and direct sales. Areas of expertise include knowledge of paper properties and testing, paper manufacturing, coatings, polymers, barrier properties, nonwovens, fibers, and converting. Passionate about product sustainability, renewable resources, commercialization, improving processes, and continuous learning.
Experience
R & d Manager
Mar 2025 — Present · Oshkosh, WI, US
Project management of strategic R&D initiatives-Technical support for a wide range of finished products and raw materials including paper-based plates, bowls, napkins, baking paper, food wraps, specialty papers, wax papers, straws, barrier coatings, board, and inks-Identification and screening of new materials and process technlogies-Alignment of technologies with operations, manufacturing capabilities, and customer requirements-Design, coordination, execution, and analysis of printing and forming trials in line with innovation priorities and cost savings initiatives-Collaboration with material vendors and screening solutions for material qualifications and scale ups-R&D lead point of contact for barrier technologies and development-Development of new test methods and improvement of existing methods for product screening while considering fit-for-use applications -Technical support for the implementation of new testing equipment capabilities to improve product and material evaluations -Communication of R&D project updates to the leadership team-Documentation of pre-trial plans, post run reports, and vendor visits-Technical assistance for raw material and product specification considerations-Cross-functional collaboration with several departments and sites including operations, maintenance, procurement, product development, marketing, regulatory, safety, quality, engineering, R&D, and planning-Development of standardized and documented material calculations for compostability and regulatory requirements-Raw material and product cost analyses
Education
University of Maine
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Chemical Engineering
2016 — 2020
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Science (BS), Paper Engineering: Process (Minor Chemical Engineering and Mathematics)
2012 — 2015
Skills
- Mathematics
- Kaizen
- Chemical Engineering
- Coatings
- Manufacturing
- Paper Industry
- Minitab
- Microsoft Office
- Sales
- Technical Writing
- Safety
- Six Sigma
- Chemistry
- Troubleshooting
- Laboratory Skills
- Process Improvement
- Direct Sales
- R&D
- Product Development
- Food Packaging
- Continuous Improvement
- 5s
- Paper Engineering
- Sales Presentations
- Quality Control
- Process Engineering
- Leadership
- Intercollegiate Athletics
- Packaging
- Papermaking
- Teamwork
- Pulp
- Process Optimization
- Science
- Marketing
- Research
- Engineering
- Lean Manufacturing
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