Sam Armstrong

* Manage a highly creative Engineering team supporting over 45 Industrial Designers * Develop upstream product concepts for brands that include: Graco strollers, DYMO printers, Sharpie and Paper Mate pens, Mr.Coffee and FoodSaver appliances * Invited to present at the University of Michigan Design Science Seminar Series * Construct electromechanical proof of concept prototypes * Consistently invited to participate in innovation brainstorming sessions for future products * Lead the Habitat Culture Club for interior design improvements to foster collaboration * Work in partnership with the Craftsmanship and Usability to ensure quality designs * Strong track record of forecasting, consistently keeping project budgets within 10%.

* Managed a highly skilled team of Engineers developing power tools for Bosch, Dremel and RotoZip * PMO for my teams projects * Worked with all stages of the new product development process including Industrial Design consultancies through to in house production * Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in US, Europe, Mexico and China to orchestrate product development for worldwide launches * Risk assessment, forecasting and budget management.

* Directed the multidisciplinary new product development team in the development and production of commercial packaging equipment for use by clients such as Crate & Barrel * Design language direction for US and European products * Developed intuitive equipment interface design, greatly helping clients onboard their seasonal workforce * Created company-wide new product development process * Designed and operated innovation funnel strategic filter for senior leadership team * Developed strong partnerships with contract equipment manufacturers to reduce product time to market * Directed external Industrial Design resources * Project planning and forecasting with a $2.6MM budget * Managed relocation of the Design Center including partnering with the architect to design the creative workspace, managed the interior build out, and interfaced with authorities for occupancy approval.

* Built and led a pioneering Industrial Design and Model Shop team for commercial beverage equipment expansion into new markets. * Direct interaction with clients including: Coca-Cola and Starbucks * Created extensive materials library for Engineering and Industrial Design stimuli * 100% team retention over 4+ years * Ideation Captain leading new product brainstorming sessions using the Synectics springboarding methodology * Developed cross-functional new product development process adopted corporate wide * Project planning and forecasting including budget management. Technical and Industrial Design direction * Previously Project Engineer: Electro-mechanical design. LED lighting systems for merchandising. Electrical and electronics design and construction. PLC Control systems. Graphical User Interface design. Injection molded and vacuum formed plastics. Sheet metal fabrication. Fluid management and metering systems. Reliability and endurance test systems design and construction