Process Development Technologist & NPD Technologist – Dawn Meats (2009 – 2012)
Initially I joined the team at Dawn Meats as a NPD technologist primarily working on one of their key retailer accounts for added value (raw and cooked) meat products but supporting activity across a wide customer base including many of the leading retailers, food service and business to business customers. With responsibility for the development of new products, led by both customer brief and blue sky initiative, key activities included everything from creating NPD samples, benchmarking and identifying product trends, conducting factory trials, writing factory and finished product specifications, artwork review, cooking guideline verification(even BBQ cooking guidelines undertaken in the snow!) and approval and management of the development process from concept to launch within a client facing role.
During my time with the business I was part of the new business team responsible for the development and introduction of a new business structure to introduce a specific process development team – focus in this role involved taking approved NPD concepts to factory trial and successful product launch phase with emphasis on communication between the various business departments including product development, technical and production to aid the successful introduction and transition of new product lines into the business.
New Product Development Technologist – Sunjuice Limited (2008 – 2009)
Working as part of the new product development team, responsible for developing fruit juices, juice drinks and smoothies for major UK retailer customers. Activities included recipe calculations and costings, concept recipe development and product benchmarking, sample creation and customer presentations, product trials, artwork reviews and on-line retailer specification completions. Management of the product development process for key retail customers from concept to launch.
Technical Manager – Paninis Ltd (2006 – 2008)
Time in this role involved overseeing all technical, food safety and quality operations on site for the SME Chilled RTE food businesses supplying NHS vulnerable groups and a wide range of independent retail and food service outlets. Manage and lead all QMS activity including BRC 3rd party audits, 2nd party audits and the routine EHO/TSO inspections. Responsibility for the routine verification of the food safety systems on site – HACCP team leader, management of microbiological sampling, raw material / supplier approval and supplier audits. Leading on internal staff food safety and quality training, performance monitoring and compliance audits. Design and management of the factory food safety and operational improvement targets with regular communications with the site director/owners and customers as appropriate, reporting on site non-conformance including customer complaints management and implementing corrective actions as applicable.
KTP Associate UWIC & Paninis Ltd (2004 – 2006)
Working with the business on a KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership program) in partnership with the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) the main focus of my time spent in this role was writing and implementing a structured BRC (Issue 3 and later 4) compliant Quality Management System and HACCP plan taking the company through their first BRC audit experience and continued certification over a number of years. I had sole responsibility for the technical and food safety operations of the business introducing s structured traceability system, focus on product labelling compliance and also the development of the product range specifically looking at products intended for allergen sensitive consumers.
2002 – 2003 – Undergraduate NPD Technologist – Dairy Crest, Added Value Cheese Division
I spent my placement year working with the NPD and innovation team at Dairy Crest primarily within the added value cheese division. Working on both branded products such as Cathedral City and Frijj Milkshake, along with retailer own label dairy products this was a great insight into the some of the leading products in the dairy category. The role involved customer focus groups and market research lead activity, NPD production trials, product shelf-life analysis including on-site lab testing and organoleptic analysis, creating product history files and following the retailer gate process from concept to launch. Much of my time was spent conducting NPD trials based at the Stilton factory in Derbyshire – a PGI regional requirement for the production of Stilton – a cheese lover's dream!
Postgraduate Certificate in Education – PCET - Preparing to Teach.
Train the Trainer Certificate
BRC Third Party Auditor Certificate – BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 4 & 6
Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 7 – Conversion exam for auditors issue 6-7.
Level 4 Award in HACCP Principles
Intermediate HACCP Auditing
RIPH Intermediate certificate in Nutrition
BSc (Hons) Food Production, Development & Retail
