Title: Senior Engineering Manager
Company: Cresco Labs
Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Aaron P. Cole, Senior Engineering Manager at Cresco Labs, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Engineering.
Mr. Cole has established a distinguished career in the packaging industry, currently serving as the senior engineering manager of packaging at Cresco Labs. Since 2022, he has been instrumental in managing a team of engineers, overseeing product launches and coordinating equipment installations across facilities. Mr. Cole also introduces innovative packaging designs and guides materials collection and vendor negotiations.
Cresco Labs, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a publicly traded and vertically integrated cannabis and medical marijuana company. The company offers its consumers a large selection of top brands, operating dispensaries under its Sunnyside brand. With locations in eight states, Cresco Labs has over a dozen production facilities and over 70 dispensaries.
Before becoming Cresco Labs’s senior engineering manager, Mr. Cole was the manager of engineering packaging from 2021 to 2022, where he honed his leadership skills and developed his expertise in packaging solutions. His journey with the organization began in 2019 when he joined as a corporate packaging engineer. During his tenure in this role, Mr. Cole contributed significantly to the company’s growth by implementing efficient packaging strategies and optimizing processes.
Recruited to Cresco Labs from Hi-Cone, Mr. Cole was a senior packaging engineer from 2015 to 2019, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing packaging systems and ensuring quality standards. His earlier career included positions at Limited Brands and Ferrara Candy Company, where he worked as a packaging engineer from 2011 to 2014 and from 2014 to 2015, respectively. At Limited Brands, Mr. Cole was recognized for his contributions to international launches for Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret Beauty, earning him the Synergy Award in 2011 and 2012. Mr. Cole began his professional journey as an associate packaging engineer at Ethicon Inc. in 2010.
Mr. Cole’s academic background laid a strong foundation for his career achievements. He earned a Bachelor of Science in packaging engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2009, which equipped him with the technical knowledge necessary for his field. Furthering his education, he obtained a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Roosevelt University in 2021, enhancing his strategic thinking and leadership capabilities. Additionally, Mr. Cole received a certification in market concepts from Bloomberg.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Cole is actively involved in industry-related organizations, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials and the Institute of Packaging Professionals. His commitment to civic engagement is evident through his contributions to local food banks and The Salvation Army. He also volunteers as an educator for elementary science and engineering programs. Previously, Mr. Cole previously volunteered with Junior Achievement of Chicago as an elementary educator from 2017 to 2019.
Throughout his career, Mr. Cole’s ability to drive cost savings and revenue growth through process optimization and packaging efficiency has been pivotal to his success. He has a strong background in aligning and standardizing processes across functional areas to ensure product development and delivery align with strategic business objectives. Eager for the future, Mr. Cole remains dedicated to driving innovation within the consumer packaging industry while maintaining established standards. His vision for the future includes spearheading change and progress in packaging materials, reflecting his passion for continuous improvement and excellence in his field.
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