Sinan Imer Email & Phone Number

Santa Barbara County, California, United States

I started my role at Kate Farms as the project manager to build an innovation center that consists of a Pilot Plant, a Product Development lab and an Analytical lab. After identifying the location, I managed the build project from design to construction, working together with architects, contractors as well as vendors for equipment needed for the pilot plant operations. With the completion of the build, I hired individuals that have team first mindset, trained them, as well as managed the start-up of all the all the new equipment including equipment supplying utilities. I implemented procedures to manage day to day Pilot Plant operations including, scheduling, inventory management, trials and maintenance. ✓ Managed the build project for an innovation center with a budget of $6.5M.✓ Directed engineering projects for the equipment needed to have an outstanding pilot plant.✓ Hired technicians and created high functioning team which has team work and problem solving at the core. ✓ Implemented procedures to manage schedule, inventory and pilot trials.✓ Created a PM program and spare parts inventory to reduce unplanned downtime.✓ Managed CAPEX projects for additional equipment.

Bakersfield, California

In my role as Pilot Plant Operations Manager, I oversaw daily pilot plant operations while identifying gaps and developing strategies to streamline overall operations. I developed an autonomous team and set them up for success towards next career move. I analyzed food safety gaps and executed procedures and ready the center for internal and external audits. Implemented zoning in the pilot plant to identify and mitigate food safety risks. I assessed project sustainability ratings and shared learnings from other centers with NPTC network for an informed decision making. I performed Loop Operations and brought sellable product capabilities to pilot plant. I attended weekly follow up and planning activities with Loopstore.com team. I managed the implementation of 5S in the center by leading gate readiness, trainings, standard creations and audits. I supported product developers on trial management system to trace pilot plant trials, analytical and dispatch requests and inventory management.✓ Established top performing teams that increased pilot plant daily scheduled attainment from 80% to over 97%.✓ Implemented 5S in the Pilot Plant as well as the development labs.✓ Led project to start production of sellable units coming out of pilot plant by implementing new programs and ensuring regulatory and food safety compliance.✓ Identified the need of skills improvement and delivered effective training and mentoring to pilot plant technicians with a focus on improving overall productivity.

Bakersfield, California Area

In my previous role as Senior Product Developer / Project Manager, I developed and implemented new technologies and products in frozen snacks and ice-cream categories by managing prototype creations for ice-cream conferences to showcase new ideas to different global markets in collaboration with Global Strategic Business Unit. I launched new products and led cross-functional teams to deliver to the needs of the business as efficiency and cost reduction. I delivered technical assistance to technical applications groups in North and South America to accelerate business by bringing uniqueness to their product categories with innovation, including Gelato recipe implementation and added sugar reduction in ice-cream mixes in Chile. I also communicated progress with the Sugar and sweetener network. Following were key accomplishments that I attained: ✓ Led Skinny Cow Clean Label initiative that reduced 21 ingredients to 11 on the label for the Skinny Cow Business of NNS over $95M.✓ Developed recipes with fruit as first ingredient while reducing added sugars in Outshine Fruit Bars (NNS $83M in 2016).✓ Developed Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars with 100% yogurt. Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars had a NNS of $42M in 2015.

Bakersfield, California Area

✓ Worked as the product developer of more than 50 unique concepts from bench top to commercialization which several of have been launched internationally.✓ Reformulated super-premium, soft serve, frozen yogurt and low-fat ice cream mixes to improve processing, functionality, nutritional foundation and cost effectiveness bringing more than $7MM in 2010 alone.✓ Developed and renovated frozen snacks and super-premium ice-cream formulations which include push-ups, bars, cones, sandwiches and pints as a part of a cross-functional business team of marketing, operations, purchasing, regulatory and pilot plant.✓ Lead chocolate coating formulation and renovation projects.✓ Gained extensive operations experience during line trials and start ups at 6 different Nestle manufacturing locations and 4 co-manufacturers around the country.✓ Provided technical support as a part of a cross-functional team and organized creative problem solving sessions.✓ Lead and mentored interns.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Food Science

Developed a method for increasing water holding capacity of muscle foods using proteins which helps with better texture after cooking.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Chemistry