Catherine C.

Head of Package Development and Commercialization (PDC) for APAC & South Africa, China Project Management Office

Philippines18+ years experience$9,000/mo

Notable Highlight

Designed the structure for an alternative costing process that enabled operations to continue without disruption. The team deployed the new process within three months, and it is now in use.

Experience Summary

NAME: Catherine Gasilan LOCATION: Philippines AVAILABILITY: 60 days Cathy has more than 15 years of experience with Avon, where she currently serves as Head of Product Development & Commercialization. Her background covers beauty and personal care as well as some non-beauty categories, including fragrances, cosmetics, toiletries, body care, hair care, undergarments, kitchen tools, and other consumer products. She described experience across the full product and packaging lifecycle, including conceptualization to commercialization, packaging development, supplier coordination, artwork localization and approvals, regulatory collaboration, BOM management, costing, manufacturability checks, line trials, and pilot runs. In terms of tools, she mentioned using MS Project, Excel, Teams, Google Workspace.

Key Achievements

She shared that earlier this year, after their long-used costing and workflow system was being phased out, she designed the structure for an alternative costing process so operations could continue without disruption. Within about three months, the team was able to deploy the new process, and it is now already being used by the team.

Skills

Experienced in end-to-end product and packaging development from conceptualization through commercialization. Strong background in artwork localization, approval workflows, and regulatory compliance across markets. Skilled in BOM, costing, product and packaging management, and manufacturing readiness activities such as line trials and pilot runs. Has worked with 50+ packaging suppliers and manufacturers and led cross-functional coordination across multiple markets.

Work Experience

Head of Package Development and Commercialization (PDC) for APAC & South Africa, China Project Management Office

AP · July 2025 – Present

Lead the Package Development and Commercialization section for APAC and South Africa markets.
Partner with stakeholders of core and commercial markets to bring the right innovation to life at the right cost and quality.
Deliver packaging design suited and curated for different markets, selling platforms, and channels.
Partner with packaging vendors to bring packaging design and specifications according to Avon standards and optimum cost.
Partner with manufacturing sites across the region in bringing innovations to life at the right cost and quality.
Partner with manufacturing and suppliers to build capability, establish quality, and ways of working for smooth new product delivery.
Plan and execute the Packaging Sustainability Roadmap of APAC and South Africa, ensuring targets are delivered according to corporate goals and EPR requirements are supported.

Head of APAC New Products Implementation, China Package Engineering and Project Management

AP · April 2024 – June 2025

Head the New Products Implementation for APAC, leading the team responsible for product development and commercialization of products produced in APMI, Contract Manufacturers, Outside Vendors, OEM/ODM vendors located in China and India in partnership with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure on-time launch at agreed quality and cost.
Lead the China Package Engineering function responsible for bringing new products for the China market, paired with China PMO function ensuring projects are delivered according to plan and desired launch timing.
Lead APAC New Products Implementation responsible for commercializing and delivering all new products in Avon factory according to agreed cost and timing while meeting Avon specifications.
Lead the Artwork Management team responsible for Final Artwork localization of all Innovation and Inline products requiring artwork changes for APAC markets in partnership with Innovation Marketing, R&D, and market regulatory teams to ensure regulatory compliance.
Lead product renovation delivery and execution of business continuity plans according to company strategy.
Lead the newly formed R&D section—Package Development and Commercialization (PDC)—for APAC region, merging Package Engineering and New Products Implementation functions as of October 2024.

APMI New Products Implementation Head

APM · August 2021 – March 2024

Head the New Products Implementation team responsible for development and commercialization of new products in APMI and Contract Manufacturing in partnership with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure on-time launch at agreed quality and cost.
Manage the Package Evaluation and Technology (PET) satellite testing laboratory in the Philippines supporting packaging and formula qualifications and ensuring all products meet global quality standards.
Manage the Artwork Management team responsible for Final Artwork creation and localization of all Innovation and Inline products requiring artwork changes for APAC markets, working closely with APAC market regulatory teams to ensure regulatory compliance.
Oversee the development and implementation of changes requiring product renovations driven by regulatory changes, material discontinuance, or cost savings.
Oversee product development, build capability, and enhance process controls to ensure accuracy of product data (Bill of Materials, Packaging Specifications, Product Specifications) and timely, accurate issuance of quality documents.
Understand and integrate local Supply Chain requirements, capabilities, and constraints within the region, and communicate these back to Global and APAC Innovation teams.
Collaborate with Global and Regional NPD, Marketing, and Supply Chain operating functions in improving Supply Chain processes and resolving any issues or challenges.
Ensure technical application and transfer of new products into Manufacturing through agreed trial testing and scale-up trials; identify potential issues and propose solutions.
Lead and support Global, Regional, and local projects and assignments on continuous improvement and cost savings.
Develop and execute team priorities and set KPIs aligned with Global R&D goals and ensure integration with Supply Chain goals.
Partner with APMI Leadership Team in delivery of KPIs and key supply chain initiatives and continuous process improvement projects that deliver hard savings and drive competitive product cost.
Partner with R&D, Marketing, Procurement, and Supply Chain functions in identifying and delivering key initiatives to achieve Revenue and Sustainability targets.
Partner with Procurement, Supply Chain, and Suppliers in management of Avon-owned Tooling, ensuring timely completion and escalation of challenges for additional capacity and replacement mold development.
Manage annual departmental and overhead budget and non-capitalized investments supporting capability improvement of the PET laboratory and package development.
Oversee implementation of cost savings projects, reformulations, and regulatory-driven changes through application of established Avon process.
Lead and establish the Implementation team for India market in Q4 2022 and manage recent project to deliver manufacturing transfer of products for non-APAC markets.
Serve as part of APM. (APMI) Leadership Team and Avon Philippines R&D Leadership Team.

New Products Implementation Manager

APM · May 2019 – July 2021

Manage the NPI team comprised of Packaging Engineers at various levels in delivering new products under Beauty Category—Fragrance, Color, Body, and Face Care—sourced from Philippines Manufacturing.
Collaborate with Global and Regional R&D teams, Global, Regional, and Local Marketing, and Supply Chain teams in driving efficiencies in product design and make-ready for new and improved products on time at agreed quality and cost.
Drive supportability of product launches through partnership and collaboration with APMI Managers and Supervisors for complex, critical, and special products produced in APMI.
Escalate issues, support needed, and resolution for New Products and components with stakeholders, matrix functions, and suppliers; ultimately protect product launch.
Partner with component vendors in development of packaging components, new capabilities, and materials, ensuring on-time delivery with agreed quality and cost; partner with Procurement in developing new vendors for Avon.
Drive and manage implementation of projects from packaging, formula changes, and key supply chain initiatives that deliver cost savings and help improve product cost, including continuous process improvement projects.
Manage delivery of priorities and KPIs for each Package Engineer; remove blockers hindering goal attainment and provide support as necessary.
Led the Learning Needs Analysis of the team and identified skills gaps and key trainings to improve individual Package Engineers and the team's overall functional competencies.
Establish Speed-to-Market execution for new products, reducing development and commercialization lead time by 50% (6 months or less from Concept to Launch).
Establish Class 1 Meeting venue integrating risk-based approach for all projects, where help needed and resolutions are agreed and aligned within team members, with exceptions escalated to higher level as necessary, ultimately ensuring 100% Supportability.
Establish Resource and Capacity Assessment Tool for NPI Team to ensure proper resource allocation and workload balance; align results with Stakeholders and Senior Leaders including support needed by the team.

Senior Supervisor

APM · May 2017 – April 2019

Lead site NPE&D team under assigned category in launching new products on time at agreed quality and cost.
Integrate local Supply Chain requirements, capabilities, and constraints within Global and Regional NPE&D teams.
Manage Package Engineers to develop and release product data and specification accurately and on a timely basis.
Ensure all necessary testing is conducted on new components and validate component quality and specification.
Work in partnership with component suppliers to ensure on-time mold tooling and component availability.
Ensure technical application and transfer of new products into Manufacturing through agreed trial testing and scale-up trials.
Support component suppliers in improving their technical capabilities, quality, service, and cost.
Identify potential issues and key decisions to be made; propose solutions.
Support Global, Regional, and local projects and assignments on continuous improvement and cost savings; initiate and consolidate cost-saving initiatives within the facility and report to region.
Successfully deliver the transfer of 72 SKUs of Justine brand to APMI, delivering 1 million units for 2018.
Plan and manage departmental budget and support company-wide cost reduction targets.
Monitor budget spending and report to APMI Finance and NPI Head.
Serve as Certified Subject Matter Expert for NPD Process.
Facilitate training and orientation for new hires and department year-end business updates to Managers and Senior Leaders.

Senior Package Engineer

APM · May 2015 – April 2017

Manage application of the NPD process for new products through conduct of Product Feasibility Assessment, Product Costing, Line Trial, up to First Production Run together with Junior PE.
Partner with vendors in development and delivery of packaging components according to quality and cost.
Collaborate with Global and Regional NPE&D, Marketing, and operating functions in driving efficiencies in product design and make-ready for new and improved products on time at agreed quality and cost.
Lead regular discussion forum with Packaging Department tackling and resolving all packaging-related issues and challenges encountered on the shopfloor; resolve major issues such as packer flaps opening by improving packer tape quality and packer scoring design.
Serve as core member of Inventory Management Council (IMC) of APMI and contribute initiatives to move out excess inventories, including qualification of re-labeled Body Powder canisters generating P1.5 million cost avoidance in 2015.
Lead Project Pluto for APMI comprised of several cost-saving projects implemented, delivering K savings for 2016, including formula optimization of Lotions and packaging optimization initiatives.
Supervise supply chain introduction of new products in Beauty categories (Color, Fragrance, Hair, Face, and Body Care) with Junior Package Engineer reporting directly.

Package Engineer

APM · Sept 2011 – May 2015

Manage end-to-end process of global, regional, and local innovations within APMI starting from feasibility assessment, product costing, packaging development and qualification, line trials up to first manufacturing batch.
Lead category workstream in feasibility assessment of new products to be produced in APMI.
Develop and qualify packaging components sourced from Avon-accredited vendors across APAC and EMEA regions, ensuring both packaging and product meet global Avon quality standards.
Create BOM, component specifications, and finished goods specifications; ensure 100% data accuracy.
Initiate and monitor product costing with cross-functional team, ensuring cost accuracy and timeliness of cost availability.
Lead packaging-related cost-saving projects and work on continuous improvement initiatives in support of changing business requirements.
Serve as core member implementing the Harmonization project and SEA-Hub project of APMI, simplifying execution of products with harmonized artworks for different markets and putting efficiency into NPD process and Supply Chain.

Project Management Engineer

MR(A · June 2011 – Sept 2011

Deploy to APM. as Project Management Engineer handling end-to-end tracking and monitoring of new product milestones under commercialization stage, ensuring 100% supportability of New Product launches.
Co-facilitate workstream meetings and feasibility study meetings together with assigned category Package Engineer.
Create packaging component specifications and submit to category PE for review and approval.
Draft Finish Goods Specification and submit to category PE for review and approval.
Communicate and follow through with Marketing on packaging samples for review and approval.
Prepare samples for photoshoot.
Provide support to continuous improvement and cost-saving projects such as in-house labeling execution of packaging components.

Process Engineer

EP(OC · June 2008 – February 2011

Supervise end-to-end process of emulsion polymer products from preparation of raw materials to processing to packaging.
Ensure accuracy of raw materials preparation according to BOM and evaluate testing and specifications of raw materials.
Supervise production personnel and provide task assignments based on desired daily output.
Conduct product testing, quality control of finished products, and release for customer delivery; troubleshoot quality issues.
Recognized for outstanding performance and dedication in 2009; awarded Remarkable Performance Award in 2010 for role as head of Family Council Committee.