JAMES W.

CAVANAGH
Greater New York City Area * 201 467 9036 * jamescavanagh50@gmail.com* www.linkedin.com/in/James-Cavanagh1

EXECUTIVE PROFILE________________________________________________________________

Senior Research & Development executive with international leadership and product innovation
experience with major CPG brands in household cleaning, personal care, and food products.

Skills and expertise in CPG industry include:

Innovation and product development strategy with a one team relationship with Marketing
Multinational / multicultural team management with sensitivity to cultural dynamics
Collaboration with Manufacturing & Operations bridging R&D and business needs
Delivering Regulatory / Legal compliance without compromising consumer need
Attracting technology partners with collaborative research program management
Critical assessment of acquisitions for strategic fit and growth potential
Integration of acquired business units encouraging one company mindset and great teamwork
Multi-million-dollar R&D budget management with ROI focus

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE________________________________________________________

JAMES CAVANAGH CONSULTING SERVICES, NORTHEAST USA

CPG R&D Management Expert May 2016 - Present

Providing expertise for transitional R&D management, acceleration and improvement of new product
development processes, and technology brokering to the CPG industry.

RDP STRATEGIES LTD., UK

Managing Director July 2012 May 2016

Provided executive level services in research and development for the CPG industry. Delivered expertise
to help improve research strategies, international collaboration, R&D/Operations interface, product
development processes, and overall team excellence. Client services included:

Product development strategies for oral care, nasal care, and personal beauty products
Technology strategy design and implementation for nasal and hair care brands
Development of consumer medical devices
European R&D functional improvement and integration with global operations
Design and installation of aerosol research facilities

RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTHCARE LTD., HULL, UK

R&D Director Therapeutic Skincare Aug 2008 May 2012

Led a R&D team with 25 science and engineering professionals with 3MM budget responsibility;
worked collaboratively with Global Marketing and Operations to execute new product introductions in
support of 150MM OTC Skincare business. Formulated strategies for product innovation, clinical
testing, and growth of new product pipeline for Clearasil and E45 brands, as well as packaging
/delivery systems across the Personal Care global category. Accomplishments included:

Increased new product pipeline annual value to greater than 20% of NR from <10%
Doubled average project size over a three year period
Implemented new innovation strategy to support changes to brand architecture for Clearasil
Launched first powered gadget for Clearasil medicated face wash category
 Initiated internal/external technology programs and to improve depth of understanding and identify
opportunities for new growth platforms in Skincare
Restructured Personal Care R&D to strengthen innovation, technology sourcing, and packaging
Led implementation of programs to improve employee engagement at UK R&D site
Member of steering team that led design and construction of 2MM office and lab improvements

RECKITT BENCKISER INC, PARSIPPANY, NJ

R&D Director Scientific Services NA & ANZ Region Nov 1999 Aug 2008
Director North America Regulatory Compliance
R&D Director Food Development

Directed regional R&D team with 35-45 technical and regulatory professionals and $4MM budget
responsibility, providing technical service for over $1B net revenue businesses in North
American/Australia/New Zealand. Led the NA Regulatory compliance and Food R&D team.
Accountable for on time launch of all new products in the region, delivery of gross margin improvement
targets, support to Manufacturing and implementation of product quality improvements programs.
Helped build major brands such as Lysol, Finish, Woolite, Resolve, Spray n Wash, Frenchs,
Franks RedHot, and Cattlemens BBQ. Accomplishments included:

On time delivery of 30-50 new product initiatives annually

Identification of cost saving opportunities and implementation of >$10MM in gross margin improvement
on an annual basis
Instituted new label approval process that improved rate of first copy success rate from 20 to 70%
Resolved long standing dossier review issues with State of California to improve speed to market of new
pesticide/antimicrobial products
Led team to flawlessly transfer production of 8 FDA Monograph drugs from UK to US production site
Member of leadership team that achieved Corporate ISO certification
Senior R&D contact in the region interacting at executive level with all raw material suppliers; Delivered
>25 Procurement projects annually to address raw material supply issues

Global Category Director Fabric Care 1998 1999

Led product development for major North American brands Woolite, Spray n Wash, Resolve, as well
as various international brands.

R&D Manager 1993 1998

Led the global lavatory care product development initiatives for Lysol and Harpic liquids. Designed
and implemented a product development strategy for the company to enter markets for bleach products.

Project Leader/Senior Chemist 1989 1993

Assessed new technologies and developed new product prototypes. Worked closely with Marketing and
Market Research teams to analyze consumer needs and translate learning into new products.

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT

STACY INDUSTRIES, INC. - Product Development Manager (Nonwoven Fabrics) 1986 1989
HAWTHORNE PRINTS, INC. - Technical Manager (Wallpaper coatings/mfr) 1984 1986
L.E. CARPENTER & COMPANY, INC. - Lab Manager (Vinyl Wallcovering) 1983 1984

EDUCATION_________________________________________________________________________

B.A., Chemistry and History, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS_______________________________________________________

Long time service to Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA)

Member of Board of Directors for the Cleaning Products Division of the CSPA 1997-2008
Vice Chair of CSPA Cleaning Products Division for CSPA 2006-2008
Chairperson 2004 CSPA/AOCS New Horizons conference

PATENT PUBLICATIONS______________________________________________________________

US 6,239,092 Thickened Acidic, Hard Surface Cleaning and Disinfecting Composition...

US 5,688,435 Pigmented Rheopectic Cleaning Composition with Thixotropic Properties
US 5,460,742 Aqueous Acidic Hard Surface Cleaner with Abrasive
US 5,421,898 Method and Element for Controlling Release of Disinfectant from a Substrate
US 5,364,550 Liquid Detergent Composition
US 5,256,328 Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Sanitizer Containing Halogen Donating Nanoparticles
EP0651049 Antimicrobial Dishwashing Liquid