Derrick Somers

Project Chief

Functional and industry experience 

Derrick has over 15 years of experience that embodies management consulting, operations management and project management. His career includes operations roles with major private sector organizations ranging from automotive to aerospace manufacturers. Derrick’s consulting career has seen him involved in numerous types of projects within various sectors, including pharmaceutical. Types of projects include inventory management, manufacturing assessments, process re-engineering and line balancing initiatives.

Derrick’s main area of expertise is dealing with discrete, repetitive and process manufacturers to attain cost reductions. These typically take the form of continuous improvement projects that draw upon facilitation, change management and data analysis skills. Past history has shown a proven track record of performing above and beyond client’s expectations.

Project experience:

• Assessments: Performed internal assessments for a major vaccine manufacturing operation, specifically in their bulk and fill & pack manufacturing areas. These assessments involved determining the value added vs. non-value added activities that could impact the specific area being assessed. The opportunities expressed in these assessments were realized through a combined effort with client personnel. Recently involved in assessing a clinical immunology department.
• Performance improvement: Designed and implemented systems to support productivity improvements in a filling & packaging and quality assurance department within a vaccine manufacturer. Also assisted in designing elements of a system for a bulk manufacturing department of a vaccine manufacturer. Cost improvements in these areas were in the 15% to 30% range or $700,000 – $1.2 million.
• IT integration/assessments: Performed assessments of client processes with respect to the implications of various software solutions. ROI models were employed to demonstrate the affect of the solution. These solutions typically show a four-month to one-year payback.

Professional designations and memberships

Derrick is a Professional Engineer with APEO.