Aegg Creative Packaging's new Project Manager Supports Expansion

Due to a large number of new project wins as well as many projects in the pipeline, Aegg Creative Packaging has welcomed a new Project Manager to the team, Richard Cook, to support the expansion of its packaging lines, ensuring project delivery within budget and on time.

Richard Cook is now an integral part of the team and is busy planning over 50 new projects!

Read on to find out how Richard supports Aegg with its expansion…

What does your role at Aegg entail?

My new role is vital in helping Aegg turn ideas into products. My duties include planning, executing, and supervising projects to meet the management team’s strategic objectives.

I report to Jamie (Aegg’s Procurement Director) and work directly with all the teams at Aegg, including Sales, Product Development, Finance, Operations, and Quality.

Currently, there are over 20 new projects, 30 ‘pipeline’ products, and 11 existing products that are having enhancement modifications. So, there is plenty to keep us busy!

What new procedures have you brought in?

At Aegg, we either supply off-the-shelf packaging or create bespoke packaging, depending on what the customer requests.

I facilitate the early project planning sessions for the packaging we supply to our customers.

I have introduced the ‘stage and gate process’, mirroring the project management systems that are also used by major retailers. For example, gate one is to get all the initial costings and analyse the risk/benefit to the business to work out whether it's something we can accommodate at Aegg. This is the stage where the sales team brings their customer concepts, ideas, and potential sales to the table.

I then add the details to the development tracker and manage it all the way through to end production and delivery to the customer, so it goes through various gates depending on what stage it's at. Sign-off is required at each stage before a project progresses to the next.

What are your goals with the job?

Like the rest of the team, I want to help support Aegg’s growth. I also want to ensure that Aegg’s reputation remains excellent within the industry and to be seen as the first choice for retailers and their suppliers in the UK. I would also like to become a core member of the management team.

What is your background and how does this experience help with your role at Aegg?

I was Operations Manager for many years in several departments at Kinnerton, a confectionery brand, dealing with both the food and packaging elements and working with retailers. While I was there, Kinnerton Confectionery won a huge contract for the London Olympics in 2012. The production expanded massively to seven days a week running continuously 24/7. Part of that role was developing products with the customer, as well as own brand products. My role later developed into becoming a New Product Development Manager.

After Kinnerton, I worked in the ‘meat-free’ sector and managed a large project that introduced automation to the factory and increased efficiency, reduced overheads and eliminated waste. This was a challenging role with a steep learning curve which enhanced my knowledge even further, working together with numerous suppliers and automation experts.

I was offered an exciting opportunity at a seafood company, which, although was a very different product, I could apply a lot of transferable skills, and became head of NPD when it was purchased by a competitor. Again, it was a fantastic opportunity, but I was spending too much of my time away from home. Then the opportunity came up at Aegg Creative Packaging…

What do you like about working at Aegg?

The team here is great - I love the fact that we get on and help each other out. The flexibility is great, too - you are trusted to get on with your job.

I love the way the company empowers us to make the changes/improvements that are necessary. Everybody works together and supports each other at all levels which is rare and refreshing, in my experience. I strongly believe Aegg Creative Packaging has an exciting future ahead and I can’t wait to see what will be achieved!