Andrew Diaz Email & Phone Number

Elk Grove Village, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Developed and delivered shelf life evaluation protocols which resulted in average menu item shelf life increasing by 4x• Own and manage all internal sensory evaluation activities, from planning to execution in support of • New Product Development, QA/QC and Marketing• Develop and maintain research and testing protocols including recruitment, ballots, data collection, analysis and delivering key findings and recommendations to stakeholders and decision makers• Created a… Show more • Developed and delivered shelf life evaluation protocols which resulted in average menu item shelf life increasing by 4x• Own and manage all internal sensory evaluation activities, from planning to execution in support of • New Product Development, QA/QC and Marketing• Develop and maintain research and testing protocols including recruitment, ballots, data collection, analysis and delivering key findings and recommendations to stakeholders and decision makers• Created a standardized qualitative shelf life testing methodology that is reproducible and delivers real-time, actionable metrics while escalating issues efficiently for decision making• Regularly package insights into high-level presentations for leaders and able to effectively communicate data into actionable next steps • Orchestrated over 200 tasting panels from recruitment to delivery of results• Developed and maintain database organization model for new products, recipes, and other inventory Show less

Greater Chicago Area

• Manage research and development in new menu innovation and current menu reformulation• Analyze sales trends, customer insights and data on menu performance• Identify innovation opportunities and areas of optimization for current items• Develop, lead, and manage the product development innovation process• Create and manage development guidelines and goals for menu optimization• Manage the company’s assortment and merchandising strategy

Greater Chicago Area

Work with Project Managers and Advisory Team Members and responsible for assisting in the management of proprietary and multi-sponsor research studies within the entire foodservice industry.Primary Research • Clearly communicate with PM and Advisory about project timeline and status • Provide accurate and insightful project deliverables on time to PM • Participate in qualitative and quantitative research activities • Assist with survey and interview guide… Show more Work with Project Managers and Advisory Team Members and responsible for assisting in the management of proprietary and multi-sponsor research studies within the entire foodservice industry.Primary Research • Clearly communicate with PM and Advisory about project timeline and status • Provide accurate and insightful project deliverables on time to PM • Participate in qualitative and quantitative research activities • Assist with survey and interview guide design • Test online surveys prior to launch confirming accuracy and proper survey logic is in place • Recruit, schedule and complete qualitative interviews with industry professionals • Code open-end responses for analysis • Provide support on analysis and presentation of quantitative and qualitative research findings • Draft custom reports (PowerPoint presentations, white papers, infographics) from quantitative and qualitative data sources • Make data come to life by providing editorial content and assisting with the identification of trends, insights, implications, key recommendations and next steps for research projects • Provide follow-up on client questionsSecondary Research • Understand the clients business, products and services along with the broader industry • Have a good working knowledge of Technomic tools and research methodologies • Conduct project-specific online research • Analyze results of secondary research Show less

Greater Chicago Area

• Worked back of the house at distinguished local taqueria while obtaining culinary degree• Cooked across various kitchen stations including grill, plancha/griddle, and fryer.• Prepared sides, sauces and garnishes used in all menu items.• Performed mise en place, including breaking down and portioning of meats, fish and vegetables.

Greater Chicago Area

• Used primary and secondary sources to discover emerging food trends while identifying patterns between food and consumer demographic information to aid in decision making.• Researched current and emerging food trends using location-based tools, qualitative and quantitative data analysis in order to forecast changes in the food culture.• Worked directly with R&D chefs, assisting with concept ideation, development and marketing for multiple clients including restaurants, distributors… Show more • Used primary and secondary sources to discover emerging food trends while identifying patterns between food and consumer demographic information to aid in decision making.• Researched current and emerging food trends using location-based tools, qualitative and quantitative data analysis in order to forecast changes in the food culture.• Worked directly with R&D chefs, assisting with concept ideation, development and marketing for multiple clients including restaurants, distributors, manufacturers, operators, and commodity associations.• Recipe development with precise volume and weight measurements and data entry using Microsoft Excel• Presentation delivery using Microsoft PowerPoint• Wrote menus, procure and cater full meals for clients and visitors to the CSSI offices, and maintain kitchen inventory.• Performed food styling and photography of finished concepts for internal use and marketing purposes. Show less

Bengaluru Area, India

• Developed a toolkit to help cities implement Streets for All, an open street initiative, around India• These events enhance road safety, reduce pollution, boost the economy, and promote wellness• Researched how to plan, manage, and grow Streets for All at the grassroots level countrywide• Researched geospatial solutions in event planning, execution, and evaluation

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Research assistance for Health for All team• Participate in creating a directory of leading health innovators in Ashoka Fellowship• Support Collaborative Innovation Labs• Support information systems underlying Labs and Fellow initiatives• Searching for new ways to introduce a geospatial perspective to tackle health-related challenges worldwide

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Researched UN energy and sustainability policies for upcoming annual agenda• Assisted in crafting reports, briefing papers, and articles for the general public, media, NGOs, elected officials, and government agencies• Aided researchers with data collection, synthesis, and analysis• Researched emerging issues in support of F&WW campaigns• Wrote blogs to educate about F&WW's international campaigns

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Main GIS staff for data management and analytics for the municipal government of Hyattsville • Utilized and supervised use of Esri software and GPS hardware • Collected and maintained geospatial data in support of all city departments• Produced maps, reports, and web services for city departments, City Council, and the public• Trained and supervised interns and volunteers on GIS, cartography, and data collection skills• Assisted the department director in setting and… Show more • Main GIS staff for data management and analytics for the municipal government of Hyattsville • Utilized and supervised use of Esri software and GPS hardware • Collected and maintained geospatial data in support of all city departments• Produced maps, reports, and web services for city departments, City Council, and the public• Trained and supervised interns and volunteers on GIS, cartography, and data collection skills• Assisted the department director in setting and maintaining each fiscal year's GIS budget • Represented Hyattsville at events such as Esri's International User Conference in San Diego• Served as technical adviser during Hyattsville's redistricting process in 2012 and redrew ward boundaries using Esri Redistricting software Show less

• Assisted the city's GIS Analyst in the Department of Information Technology with projects supporting Emergency Services and Public Works• Created data layers for Laurel's Tandem Emergency Response Platform (TERP), a Flex-based application for fusing and analyzing data from multiple sources• Edited and georeferenced building and parcel data and geocoded new addresses• Performed QA/QC on existing geospatial data• Created metadata for all of the city's feature classes according… Show more • Assisted the city's GIS Analyst in the Department of Information Technology with projects supporting Emergency Services and Public Works• Created data layers for Laurel's Tandem Emergency Response Platform (TERP), a Flex-based application for fusing and analyzing data from multiple sources• Edited and georeferenced building and parcel data and geocoded new addresses• Performed QA/QC on existing geospatial data• Created metadata for all of the city's feature classes according to FGDC standards.• Participated in a demonstration of the city's GIS capabilities to former DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano in September 2009 Show less

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland Area

Certificate, Applied Sensory And Consumer Science

Certified in current and innovative methods in the area of sensory science and consumer testing

Bachelor'S Degree, Geographical Sciences

Minor, International Development and Conflict Management

Short Course, Principles Of Sensory Evaluation

One-week workshop addressing the basic principles of sensory science from discrimination and acceptance testing to good laboratory.

Associate'S Degree, Culinary Arts/Chef Training