Director of Product Development

• Jun 2023 - Present

Senior Product Development Manager

• Apr 2021 - Jun 2023

I perform hands-on bench work, applications testing, and contract manufacturer scale up for R&D and commercialization on innovation and product renovation projects. Identify raw materials and test formulas to fulfill product briefs, traceability, and sustainability requirements of the Ritual brand. Conceptualize best fit supplement form factors such as multi-nutrient gummy, powder concepts, and traditional capsules to deliver the optimum customer experience. Attend pilot runs to provide guidance and build strong relationships with contract manufacturers. Apply clinical, material, and analytical data to better understand active ingredient bioavailability in specific form factors and maximize nutritional benefit. Show less

Director Of Product Development

• Nov 2019 - Apr 2021

Managed the execution of a four state tablet production expansion including coordinating raw materials, relocating manufacturing equipment, scheduling six traveling production technicians, and organizing analytical testing. Revised six tablet formulas to improve binding properties while maintaining an extremely fast disintegration profile on an extremely tight timeline. Worked with a panel of scientists to study micro-dosing cannabinoids combined with clinically studied botanicals as relief for pain. Show less

Senior Scientist I, Applications and Technical Scientist, Human Nutrition

• Mar 2016 - Nov 2019

Advised and educated large dietary supplement customers on ingredient options and presented concepts for pipeline consideration.Ran an encapsulation technology study to prove optimal active vitamin stability in gummy premixes and finished goods.Consulted with Cornell University to explore new encapsulation technology designed to preserve Vitamin C and Folate in a high water activity environment.Developed formulas to highlight a new peptide rice protein product at trade shows.

Applications and Technical Scientist

• Nov 2013 - Mar 2016

Formulated novel concepts such as oral dissolving tablets, melt away stick packs, and fortified gummies while collaborating with the Consumer Health group to bridge the gap between nutrition and pharma ingredients. Managed lab technicians to create prototypes, support customers with analytical data, and develop new skills.

Food Technologist

• May 2008 - Oct 2013

• Improved formula and manufacturing process on frozen branded products resulting in more efficient processing and less loss of product and better shelf stability. • Launched new products including private label and branded frozen pretzel based items. Worked closely with marketing to develop new product concepts for fundraising and branded commercial AA line. • Owned all regulatory aspects of new product launches including nutrition paneling, ingredient labeling, and allergen information as well as maintaining and updating regulatory for all existing products. • Worked with creative and design teams to include nutrition information on menus in all AA stores in the US. • Styled food for retail and branded photo shoots on new and existing products at over 20 professional photo shoots and videos. • Acted as main contact and approver for international new product development for franchises in 25 countries. • Used statistical tools to analyze data for over 100 consumer and trained sensory panels. • Managed a project to formulate, pilot trial, and scale up a line of frozen commercial AA branded products for sale at Target, Wal-Mart, and Wegmans. Show less

Quality Assurance

• Nov 2007 - May 2008

• Performed analytics including fat extractions, moisture analysis, and microbiological testing for commercial manufacturing. • Oversaw production to ensure compliance with HACCP, SOP, and GMP programs. • Assessed daily quality of production and organized regular tasting of each item produced. • Checked compliance of raw materials and ran critical daily viscosity testing on each tanker load of liquid chocolate to ensure product met specification. • Completed kosher certification program for all products manufactured at the Reading, PA site. Brought hundreds of raw material documents up to date and ensured proper cold and dry storage of raw materials to meet compliance with kosher regulations. Show less

Food Scientist

• Aug 2006 - Aug 2007

• Developed ice cream bases, milk shake bases, ice cream pies, potato blends, pasta sauces, and compound butters commercial products for large customers by reverse engineering dairy formulations. • Managed pilot scale up of all formulations, from batch up of raw materials to the maintenance and cleaning of a tube in shell and HTST unit and two homogenizers. • Conducted lab analysis and QA sampling on all commodity products including buttermilk, whipped cream, whipping cream, heavy cream, and butter co-manufactured for Darifair. • Ran moisture, Aw, salt, fat, sugar, and sensory analysis on all lab formulations. Show less