Andy Cooper Email & Phone Number

Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Through delivery of a portfolio of science projects I am accountable for implementing and leading the Science Plan Objective; Minimised Resource Loss.The role is to identify, current and future science opportunities that will maxmise value and optimise resource use across secondary Agri-food and bio-based value chains, delivering technologies, with a focus on integration of circular bio-economy concepts.

Lincoln, Christchurch, New Zealand

Currently employed in a leadership role, responsible for growing our stakeholder base, understanding current and future stakeholder / sector needs, identifying opportunities for new research projects, connecting appropriate science teams and stakeholders, identifying funding options, and responsibility for contracting projects, by working with the legal and commercialisation teams. I am also Programme Manager for the Integrated Wool Science programme with a budget of NZ$2.0m, and project manager for a number of smaller projects funded via commercial clients or other funds such as kiwinet / AgResearch pre-seed.Project manager for MFAT funded project seeking biocontrol for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Trained Programme Logic facilitator and other monitoring and evaluation skills associated with project design and delivery.Other AgResearch teams currently involved with are the Maori Agribusiness team, around value chain optimisation projects, and the Adoption and Practice change team, around innovation brokering.During my time as a Science Impact leader I have bought stability to the teams I am involved with by helping secure 5 years SSIF funding, grown commercial revenue and increased our profile domestically and internationally.Go here to see our teams and more info on our capability: www.agresearch.co.nz/people/

Specialist in conception and managment of product innovation projects, delivering mainly engineering and chemical solutions, through industry and government funded projects, with budgets ranging from $20/k to $1.5m.Project manage long and short term development projects,undertake funding proposals, client management and development.Main area of expertise is in carpet and yarn manufacturing processes, but excellent knowledge of all areas of textile production to retail.Used by industry as an expert witness in product complaints.

Auckland, New Zealand

Uk

Responsible for the initial and ongoing client engagement with HR Directors and Senior Managers across all industry sectors.The role covered all aspects of the sales and delivery process, from understanding business requirements to the development of proposals containing deliverables, costs and scheduling to clients and final contracting.Oversaw projects to completion by working closely with technical staff, ensuring client expectations were met within time, scope and budget.Developing monthly client engagement plans.Working with an account manager to ensure open and ongoing communication with clients.Comprehensive sales training.

Uk

Start-up company in IT recruitment.Developed business from nothing through sheer effort, an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to pay the bills!Very steep learning curve in the aspects of the do's, the don'ts and frustrations of making a sale and running your own business.This and the next two years at Networx were probably the most educational years of business life in "the real world".

Responsible for developing and maintaining clients in the USA and Australasian wool carpet markets.The role was to engage clients in product development projects.I developed excellent relationships within the industry from small manufacturers to the likes of Shaw carpets in Australia (now Godfrey Hirst), building trusting relationships that resulted in a number of projects being taken through to commercial release.Responsible for development of new product design and construction, client relationship and management of the whole product development process.Also responsible for managing the production of the Annual Trend Collection, an internationally acclaimed and anticipated release of innovative textile developments. This involved liaising with in house and external manufacturing, international offices and various marketing departments to ensure all production and international trade fair deadlines were met.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Working from a small office in Christchurch, I developed and maintained close relationships with carpet and yarn manufacturers in New Zealand and Australia.This was done through understanding the market and the needs of the client, which then led to selling the services of myself as a product development technologist and a small pilot plant based in Christchurch ( which I sub contracted). For larger projects co-ordinated with the plants in the UK. During this period I also worked with architects and commercial specifiers on larger commercial projects, mainly in a technical advisory role.

During this time I gained a wide range of textiles knowledge spending time in a cross section of departments. I liaised with Western European manufacturers on a wide range of projects learning much about the industry.

Bsc (Hons), Textile Technology

BSc.(Hons) Textile Technology

Bsc Hons Textile, Technology

Education record