EFCO is a global ingredient supplier for top chain restaurants and industrial manufacturers with a product portfolio of shelf-stable dairy ingredients, bakery fillings and mixes, fruit-based beverage syrups, and functional ingredient solutions.Director of Business Development & Innovation:• Lead business development with top chain restaurants to achieve business and brand objectives• Implemented and oversee a new product development process based on consumer insights and analytics to validate new product platforms• Manage open innovation engagements with external resources, spanning a network of supplier partners, chef consultants, consumer research companies, and strategic advisors to ensure a robust pipeline of food innovations

• Led SKU Optimization project team responsible for streamlining restaurant operations and improving supply chain efficiencies in order to increase franchisee profitability and prepare for new menu launches• Managed consumer insight studies to uncover areas of high potential food innovation and craft informed, compelling points of view to help guide Subway’s culinary innovation priorities• Organized team cuttings and created internal tasting guides to present concept screener scores, itemized ingredient costs, and recommended menu pricing• Served as culinary innovation lead for non-traditional concepts such as Subway Café, Walmart, Mama DeLuca’s Pizza, Goodrich Ice Cream, Military Bases, and Grab-N-Go Kiosks

• Led R&D Department responsible for all product formulations, specifications, and documentation• Commercialized new menu items for top chain restaurants • Launched new menu items for 23 international markets of chain restaurants• Managed integration of new contract manufacturers to further expand product offerings• Member of strategic planning and budgeting team for ERP and SQF implementation, and led the implementation of Genesis nutritional software and a new sample management program

• Oversaw initial production batches, product specifications, and regulatory documents• Provided technical sales support through customer correspondence, presentations, and trade shows• Formulated product matches of competitor products and led clean label ingredient introductions• Reduced product deviations through formulation, processing instructions, and associate training

• Translated chef-inspired gold standards into manufacture ready frozen soup formulations• Led formulation development in matching a competitor’s refrigerated soup product• Received two “Make a Difference” awards for aiding product development with key customers

• Validated centrifuge method for testing liquid concentrates and generated internal protocol• Conducted artificial sweetener feasibility analysis and calculated productivity opportunities

• Assisted PepsiCo Executive Chefs with screening flavors for new product development• Produced gold standards to provide inspiration for innovation across the Frito-Lay portfolio