Thomas Horne Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il

Act as a trusted consultant and advisor across all R&D categories and verticals, with an emphasis on the beverage industry. Integrate in-demand market trends into new product initiatives, including natural and organic products, flavor applications, low-sugar/sugar-free formulas, protein enhancement, beverage concentrates, and other desirable characteristics. Collaborate with Flavor companies, researching and developing new applications for key ingredients. Work with a global corporation on salt reduction and sodium replacement technologies. Design and develop multiple product prototypes Provide hands-on leadership and direction in the areas of new product formulation, internal bench top prototypes, plant trials, co-processing partner relations, ingredient trends, and manufacturing processes. Collaborate with internal and external partners to execute complex technical projects within established budgets and time frames. Develop and implement comprehensive product development processes grounded in accurate, complete data sets. Align strategic innovation with established best practices to create and execute process improvements. Cultivate and leverage SME in the areas of co-processing partnerships, functional ingredients, industry trends, desirable sensory characteristics, and necessary shelf life. Design, develop, and optimize new products. Manage vendor relations, act as a liaison with operational teams, and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships with co-processing partners. Cultivate and leverage deep working knowledge of raw material development toolboxes, plant facilities, and supplier technology. Provide strategic and tactical oversight to R&D technical functions, including sensory programs, shelf-life testing, label legal claims, product specifications, packaging improvements, and nutritional labeling.

Developed and managed new and existing products across multiple production facilities, including store-brand carbonated beverages, iced tea, flavor- and vitamin/mineral-enhanced waters, dry mix powdered beverages, and coffees. Designed and built a beverage pilot plant for aseptic and retort applications. Produced dairy-based coffee items in the retort environment, and protein beverages in the aseptic environment. Provided R&D leadership and supervision to carbonated, still, aseptic, and retort product projects. Emphasized ideation, flavor application, and flavor masking technologies.

Downers Grove, Il

Reformulated refrigerated canned dough for product improvement purposes. Reduced trans-fats across multiple bakery items, in adherence with new regulatory guidelines. Developed new products, implemented cost savings, innovated flavor applications, and managed new product design for both retail and food service product lines.

Lisle, Il

Reformulated dry soup and sauce mixes in response to potentially contaminated dairy-based ingredients. Developed a broad range of oil-based dressings and mayonnaise spreads for a growing market. Enhanced savory flavor systems by developing flavor-masking technologies for dry and liquid dairy systems. Emphasized cost-saving measures while maintaining product quality and marketability.

Mundelien, Il

Provided comprehensive consulting to global food companies seeking product development and new customer development services. Emphasized aseptic, retort, medical foods, dairy, and RTD projects. Co-developed and patented multiple sugar-free, frozen carbonated beverages (Slurpees), as well as the flavor systems for Crystal Light branded Slurpees. Created multiple protein drinks for retail and medical food markets. Offered 45 distinct flavor types to an international gelato supplier. Implemented a unique flavor masking system and aseptic packaging. Developed multiple aseptically produced products, including coatings, batters, beverages, and sauces, for both retail and industrial markets.