Kerry Covey

I am in the process of a career change and am currently enrolled in my second year of my three-year Master's in Acupuncture program. I am seeking a part-time role while I complete my studies. Throughout my 20-year professional career, I have consistently demonstrated outstanding customer relations, excellent attention to detail, and a strong initiative to drive efficiency, cost, and quality improvements.

I am looking for a role that can utilize these skills while giving me the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully as I progress through my acupuncture training.

VP of Commercialization at Urethane Sciences (2018-03 – Present)

• Responsible for the commercialization of multiple pillow systems, leading to $15 million in revenue over the last two years.
• Responsible for reviewing all R&D for new products, doing additional experiments, and trialing new products.
• Developed and led Quality Control program.
• Responsible for determining quality specifications for all products as well as reviewing all incoming and outgoing COAs.
• Responsible for the entire facility and all maintenance.
• Responsible for all assets in the facility, as well as being involved with developing and reviewing all specifications for new equipment.
• Assist in forecast planning of raw materials.
• Responsible for maintaining and tracking the yearly budget.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining quality assurance documents and procedures.
• Responsible for maintaining all VOC logs.
• Responsible for $2 million worth of inventory over 4 different locations.

Chemical Engineer at Grand Rapids Foam Technologies (2014-01 – 2018-12)

• Responsible for chemical blending operation at all three plants.
• Responsible for making new or adjusting all formulations for process improvements.
• Responsible for reworking off-spec material into $200,000 worth of good parts.
• Responsible for making process improvements to reduce scrap and avoid unnecessary process changes.
• Developed best practices for evaluating chemical blends at all three facilities.
• Responsible for documenting and reporting all VOC data to the EPA.
• Responsible for updating and maintaining the electronic SDS system.
• Implemented additional safety measures to protect employees and the company.
• Investigated, trialed, and implemented new integral skin systems to comply with the new HFC regulation.

Pourline Supervisor / Process Engineer at Tempur-Pedic (2012-01 – 2014-12)

Reported to the Manufacturing Technical Manager and supervised a workforce of 8 skilled chemical operators in a fast-paced slab stock foaming environment for ISO 9001-2000 certified chemical process

• Maintained a 1% or less reject rate per year for all foam produced.
• Along with the Technical Manager, designed a new trough that saved $500,000 per year in reject foam plates.
• Completed a Six Sigma Green Belt project on molded office chair pillows that reduced the reject rate from 50% down to 4%.
• Performed lab experiments to improve foam properties and then scaled up work to the slab line.
• Worked in conjunction with R&D on scaling up new foam formulations and bringing new technology to the company.
• Improved block profiles, therefore improving block yields, saving chemical and scrap costs.
• Implemented a weekly pm schedule for the slab line to reduce unscheduled shutdowns.

Principal Engineer, Research and Development at FXI Foamex Innovations (2008-12 – 2011-12)

Reported to the Vice President of Research and Development, and was an integral member of a small technical team charged with developing several lines of replacement medical mattresses that increased pressure redistribution and comfort, targeting the reduction of pressure ulcers.

• Led numerous projects that created new foam formulations, improved existing projects, analyzed quality, and/or reduced manufacturing costs
• Developed a patent, #7886388 B2, an improved medical mattress to support heavyweight individuals
• Played a key support role in achieving FDA certification for the manufacturing of medical mattresses
• Led numerous projects and teams that performed analytical testing on raw materials and finished goods, and conducted lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments with new formulations
• Coordinated trials at the ISO 9000/QS9000 variable pressure slab stock foam manufacturing plants
• Interacted with critical customers on new products and applications, and provided troubleshooting support to customers and manufacturing facilities
• Served on numerous teams that engaged in the creative idea generation process, which contributed to a variety of programs that improved business processes

Associate Chemist/Production Supervisor at FXI Foamex Innovations (2006-01 – 2008-12)

Reported to the Corporate Technical Director and supervised a workforce of 8 skilled union chemical operators in a fast-paced slab stock foaming environment for ISO 9001-2000 certified chemical process

• Played a key role in a continuous improvement program that resulted in a 5% yield improvement and reduction in scrap and quality-related credits
• Successfully managed the departmental safety programs, resulting in no injuries for over one calendar year
• Acquired knowledge of chemical formulations, reactivity, and chemical processing equipment (e.g. pumps, mixers, tanks, compressors, and heat exchangers)
• Monitored tank farm chemicals and other small stream chemicals
• Served as a member of the Hazmat emergency response team

Analytical Chemist at McNeil Pharmaceuticals (2005-01 – 2006-12)

• Responsible for preparing solutions, analyzing test data, and managing other chemical processes in support of the research and development of various medicines and products
• Monitored product quality in the production environment, identified deviations, and made recommendations for corrective action to senior staff
• Responsible for preparing assay, content uniformity, dissolution, and standard solutions
• Troubleshot HPLC systems and other chromatography equipment
• Performed various analyses using FTIR, HPLC, and UV
• Developed a thorough knowledge of GMP

Assistant Engineer at Midwest Research Institute (2004-01 – 2005-12)

• Responsible for design, fabrication, and modifications of environmental samplers.
• Tested the efficiency of environmental samplers and prepared all reports regarding samplers, including communicating with the requester and sponsor
• Developed considerable experience with spectrometers, fluorometers, and manometers

Lab Technician – An Intern at Ocean Spray

Position while attending college; was responsible for calibration and testing related to the processing of grapefruit into concentrate, extracting aroma, essence, peel oil, and processing all byproducts into feed pellets

• Tracked all test results in parallel with a USDA lab and completed HACCP reports, including checking positive release forms for HACCP

Lab Technician at Concord Beverage

• Responsible for quality control functions related to all aspects of the soda-making process and correcting discrepancies, working closely with appropriate staff and distributors

Master's degree in Acupuncture – Won Institute of Graduate Studies (2024-08)

B.S. in Chemical Engineering – Florida Institute of Technology (1999 – 2003)