The  AIP  would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dheeraj Kumar MAIP, CPP,  Group Packaging Manager, Tradekings on successfully achieving the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation.  The CPP program has been accepted as the global recognition as a packaging professional and therefore the CPP designation has now become the leading mark of excellence internationally and a must-have recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging professionals.
.
We invited Dheeraj to share with us what attaining the Certified Packaging Professional Designation means to her…

1.  How long have you been in the industry?  What are your areas of expertise?

Dheeraj:
I have been working in the packaging industry for over 10 years, primarily in flexible packaging across FMCG and food sectors. My expertise includes quality management, lamination & extrusion processes, packaging material development, supplier audits, and troubleshooting production issues. I also focus on process improvement, customer complaint resolution, and shelf life enhancement projects.

2. What made you apply for the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) Designation?

Dheeraj: 
I wanted to benchmark my knowledge against global packaging standards and gain an internationally recognised qualification. The CPP designation aligns with my goal of working in a structured, technical, and future-ready packaging environment. It was important for me to validate my experience and deepen my understanding of core packaging principles..

3. How important is attaining the CPP designation to you as an individual?

Dheeraj:   
Achieving the CPP designation is a major milestone in my career. It reinforces my commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning. Personally, it has boosted my confidence and positioned me strongly for global packaging opportunities. It also reflects the hard work and dedication I have invested in the industry.

4. How important is the CPP designation for the greater recognition of people in the packaging industry?

Dheeraj:
Having the CPP designation provides a credible, standardised way to recognise technical expertise in the packaging profession. It elevates the value of packaging specialists whose work is often behind the scenes but critical to product quality and safety. The designation helps raise the overall professional standing of packaging roles within manufacturing and brand organisations.

5. Were there any new learnings or takeaways that you gained from the experience?

Dheeraj:    
The CPP content helped refresh and structure my existing knowledge while expanding my understanding of materials science, sustainability, and global packaging regulations. It strengthened my technical foundations and improved my decision-making in actual plant situations. I also gained a broader perspective on packaging beyond flexible materials.

6.  What next for your career?

Dheeraj:    
I plan to continue advancing in packaging leadership roles and contributing to stronger quality systems and innovation projects. My next focus is to gain deeper expertise in sustainable packaging, food safety, and advanced barrier technologies. I want to contribute more to quality improvement, zero-defect performance, and technical innovation. Having the CPP has now motivated me to target higher technical and leadership roles in packaging.