Kate Chouinard

Kate Chouinard is a Technical Program Manager at Framework. Kate has also worked as a Senior Project Engineer, Senior Packaging Manager at Sphero. Kate has played a key role in maintaining and driving the development of Sphero 2020 hardware products. Kate has also strived to create a open channel for inputs and considerations from sales, marketing, product, procurement, UX, and finance. Key Responsibilities: Created/Managed Product P&Ls CM Selection Tracking CM Timelines, Milestones, and Project trackingCreation of CM SOW, RQF package documents, and product specificationsRe-vamped Sphero’s internal phase gate delivery processProvided estimations for new project schedules, costs, etcFacilitated build risk evaluations within the engineering team, Designed, sourced, and manufactured Sphero Packaging from 2014 to 2020. Managed and negotiated vendor selection in China and pricing on RFQ packages. This included implementing cost reduction tactics and reducing material environmental impacts. Managed all product SKUs within the company. This included managing product model naming, creating setup forms, and creating barcodes. Implemented Agile management system for packaging BOMS. Managed art development and packaging quality testing. Created packaging timelines and delivery schedules. Supported operations and marketing in terms of shipping product, inventory management, and retailer requests. Collaborated with product, art, and creative teams to develop package concepts to support the overall brand development.Supported the package development process by establishing and managing changes to package size and cost reduction efforts, releasing specification packages, and troubleshooting production issues.Collaborated with the Art and Regulatory teams to provide packaging regulatory content, facilitate print proofing, and managed production quality at the factory. Managed global product certifications - this responsibility included making sure Ollie complied with global certification standards per country requirements. Traveled and Sourced Packaging suppliers out of Shenzhen, China. Executed towards Apple standards to ensure on shelf requirements at Global Apple Stores. Manage timelines, Material selection, Transit testing, Targeted BOM Costs, Art, Inventory, Packaging logistics between factories and Vendors.Worked with Disney on licensing requirements for Star Wars packaging.Key Packaging Projects Sphero Education products (SPRK, SPRK+, BOLT, Multi Packs, Power Pack Contents)Sphero Starwars Droids (BB-8, BB-9E, R2D2) *BB8 Packaging featured on the Dieline 09/28/15. Sphero Marvel (Spiderman),

Kate Chouinard has a B.S. from Michigan State University in Packaging Engineering. Kate was involved in the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) student chapter and Michigan State Intermural Soccer while they attended Michigan State University. Prior to that, they attended Seaholm Highschool.