For Matthew Olivera, a drive past a new facility changed the course of his career. While studying mechanical engineering at the University of South Florida, Olivera envisioned a future in product design, exploring opportunities across diverse industries—from defense contracting to robotics. But it wasn’t until he spotted the newly inaugurated Mettler Toledo facility in Tampa, Fla., that his curiosity found a clear direction.
“I became curious about the company behind that state-of-the-art facility,” he recalls. “After researching Mettler Toledo, I learned it aligned with my career interests: fast-paced projects, strong multifaceted business, and onsite manufacturing.” That curiosity led to an internship—and eventually a full-time position—that launched Olivera into the packaging industry, where he quickly made his mark.
As a Sales Engineer, Olivera’s approach is defined by a mix of technical expertise and a people-first mindset. “I consider every person in the process a customer,” he explains. “From colleagues to end users, I strive to do my best for each, ensuring seamless handoffs and successful outcomes at every stage.” This mindset not only fuels his daily motivation but also reinforces his belief that packaging serves everyone—connecting people to the products they use every day.
One of Olivera’s proudest professional accomplishments underscores his commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. He developed and implemented an automation solution within Mettler Toledo’s pre-sales process, leveraging Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to streamline workflows and significantly improve order conversion rates.
“What makes this achievement particularly meaningful is that it serves as the foundation for an end-to-end automated workflow,” he says. “It’s helping to transform the quote-to-order-to-production process.”
What makes the success even more remarkable is that Olivera had minimal coding experience before taking on the project. Through collaboration with Mettler Toledo’s internal automation group, and with strong managerial support, he learned new technologies on the fly. The result was a scalable solution that not only optimizes sales processes but also sets the stage for broader digital transformation within the organization.
Olivera attributes much of his growth to a commitment to continuous learning and the mentorship he has sought along the way. “Many of the obstacles I faced were self-imposed, stemming from my own doubts or uncertainties,” he reflects. “I overcame them by staying committed to learning and seeking the right resources and guidance to build my confidence and skills.”
He encourages other emerging leaders to take a similar approach. “Break out of your shell, learn from others, and ask questions,” he advises. “Don’t be afraid to seek clarity and guidance—it’s essential for growth. Always put your best efforts forward, demonstrating dedication and resilience.”
For Olivera, the packaging industry is more than just an engineering field—it’s an ecosystem of innovation that connects technology with real-world impact. Looking ahead, he is focused on expanding his skill set and deepening his knowledge of industry trends—especially the growing importance of software integration, data connectivity, and regulatory compliance.
“Customers increasingly seek solutions that enable seamless tracking and data management,” he says. “The market is dynamic, and staying adaptable and responsive is key.”
