Years of professional experience
Cindy Thys
Head of Research and Develoment
Abu Dhabi
Summary
Food scientist with 20 years experience in FMCG industry specializing in fermented dairy and food product development.
Experienced and self motivated to deliver nutritious and healthy products to consumers.
I have dedicated my career to research and development bringing forth valuable industry experience and a passion for innovation and operational process functioning.
Innovative and hard working with experience in achieving tangible results by working in cross functional team collaborations.
Managing the fermented dairy category of the biggest dairy manufacturers in the world, Lactalis South Africa and upper Africa regions. Focusing on process optimization and recipe innovation and renovation for various factory operations across the African regions. The improved recipe formulations and consumer sensory analysis resulted in volume growth and market share increase for the organization.
Since joining National dairy in 2020 i have successfully developed the portfolio for the brand Hayatna a diverse dairy portfolio of NPD projects running concurrently which required good project management.
My roles requires ensuring regulatory compliance to ensure food products are within legislation for sales listing and launch.
Award winning product accolades have been achieved some being product of the Year Ethnic range and first organic juice certified manufacturer in the UAE.
Overview
20
20
Work History
Head of Research & Development
National Dairy, Hayatna
12.2020 - Current
- Successfully formulated recipes and process parameters for a new start up dairy brand launched in the UAE.
- NPD project management process used to ensure all deadlines for launch are achieved.
- Developed recipes for organic juice range and certified the first organic locally produced manufacturing line in the UAE.
- Developed traditional product profiles based on Ethnicity for the Hayatna brand like Masala chaas and Lassi.
- Developed recipe and packaging for sustainability claims such as clay pot yoghurt.
- Managed innovation and renovations projects to meet marketing and operational requirements.
- Identified local co packing companies for outsourced products
- Developed high protein greek yoghurts, high protein milk and lactose free milk on ultrafiltration process line. Resulting in clean label claims for products with no E-numbers.
- Developed a fresh and long life portfolio of over 100 plus new SKU's for Hayatna band portfolio.
- Monitor product trends, competitor product development activities and food industry technology developments.
- Understand the factory process flows and capabilities to develop formulations which can be successfully produced.
- Create, review and approve technical documents: i.e. Master batch records, Specifications, Ingredient Statements and Cost Formulas in preparation for company budget.
- Support Consumer Insights, Global Consumer Care and other relevant functions to understand consumer insights to ensure product quality meet consumer expectations.
- Worked closely with operations, marketing, sales and finance functions to ensure that appropriate product requirements are established and implemented throughout development process.
- Ensure all formulations are within the legislation guidelines across all categories.
- Ensure new products launched are analyzed and within regulatory specifications for municipality approval.
- Arrange products for listing purposes for sales and marketing team.
- Work cross functionally with raw material suppliers and equipment engineers locally and internally to achieve project objectives.
- Identify plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives by setting realistic timelines and checkpoints.
- Set processes in place to ensure smooth transition from concept to commercialization.
- Lead the communication of development, production and quality problem notification and resolution to the Brand.
- Develop process improvement initiatives and analyzed problems to create corrective action strategy.
- Support R&D, production, and quality control in determining effectiveness of new products/processes in applications.
- Manage and grow a R&D team to successfully implement recipes and process flows for factory optimization and operations.
- Implement R&D standard operating procedure and process for NPD as well as new product development manuals per product category.
- Establish a sensory panel and sensory guideline to monitor deviation and consistency parameters internally and bench-marking competitors.
- Prepared product costing structure for NPD recipes and packaging.
- Identify all raw materials for over 100 different products and packaging.
- Understanding the competitor segment and technical capabilities strengths and weakness.
- Robust formulations to ensure chemical and microbiological standards are not compromised.
Research and Development Manager
Lactalis South Africa
11.2010 - 08.2020
- Managed the fermented dairy and ice cream category for Lactalis South Africa and upper Africa regions. Focus on market share growth by optimizing formulations and process flows of the category.
- Supported collaborative projects and worked closely with technical partners to deliver against portfolio roadmaps.
- Liaised with key stakeholders to understand business requirements and expectations and develop strategic direction to R&D performance materials.
- Used multiple sources of information and broader stakeholder views to develop solutions and recommendations.
- Worked with global cross-functional teams to gain alignment and move initiatives from product ideas to commercialization.
- Developed and implemented plans to qualify alternate suppliers or new materials for manufacturing.
- Coordinated with purchasing department to identify new materials and technology.
- Created process recipes and conducted statistical analysis to define specifications and determine equipment capabilities.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Leveraged data and insights to inform conclusions and support decision-making.
- Coordinated with purchasing department to identify new materials and technology.
- Used multiple sources of information and broader stakeholder views to develop solutions and recommendations.
- Created process recipes and conducted statistical analysis to define specifications and determine equipment capabilities.
- Developed and implemented plans to qualify alternate suppliers or new materials for manufacturing.
- Liaised with key stakeholders to understand business requirements and expectations and develop strategic direction to R&D performance materials.
- Worked with global cross-functional teams to gain alignment and move initiatives from product ideas to commercialization.
- Supported collaborative projects and worked closely with technical partners to deliver against portfolio roadmaps.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
- Controlled resources and assets for department activities to comply with industry standards and government regulations.
- Manage and co-ordinate innovation and line extension projects.
- Investigate technical feasibility, design optimization and production constraints.
- Identify ingredients that improve product quality and sensor aspects.
- Continuous market insight and consumer focus groups and surveys
- Collaborative function with suppliers on market trends and sensory work on flavour development and raw material functionality.
- Work well independently and on a team to solve problems.
- Responded to problems with excellent troubleshooting abilities.
- Capex project involvement with industrial teams to drive innovation by buying new fillers and processing equipment
- Problem solving and out the box strategizing within a cross functional environment.
- Legal and regulatory compliance on all new product launches as well as understanding legal jargon for application.
- Transfer pilot trials into industrial scale by training staff and providing NPD documentation as guidelines.
- Shelf life stability studies including microbiological and chemical components.
- Assigned tasks are executed and results are delivered as per deadlines and clearly communicated to all role players.
- Project management process through 5 stage gate plan.
- Brief and guide fruit preparation suppliers with new product launches.
- Manage and provide development support of fruit preparation companies supplying Lactalis.
- Ensure chemical and ingredient selection of secondary raw materials are in accordance to HACCP and food safety regulations.
- Raw material specification criteria are adhered to in accordance to the best quality practices.
- Plan and develop samples for blue sky presentations to marketing and sales teams based on local and international insight.
- Assist factories with problem solving of non conformance quality issued of yogurt, drinking yogurt, maas or ice cream.
- Utilize tools such as Mintel and product tracker for sales to track volume growth
- Liaise with consumer groups and attend taste sessions for bench-marking.
- Develops and performs bench top product development as well as manufacturing trials /pilot, scale-up, and commercialization
- Work within the Lab information management system / LIMS’ to document maintenance, repairs and calibration of equipment.
- Understand and execute complex work instructions for project success.
Education
National Dimploma - Food Sciences And Technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
South AfricaSensory Analysis Training
Food Speciality Service
07.2023
Internal Auditor - Manufacturing
FSSC
06.2023
Manufacturing
HACCP 22000
06.2023
Skills
- Leadership and team work
- Product Knowledge
- Raw Materials specification selection
- Process optimization
- Project management
- SAP system implementation
- Award winning product launches
- Quality control
- Regulatory and legislation knowledge
- Sensory Analysis
Timeline
Head of Research & Development
National Dairy, Hayatna
12.2020 - Current
Research and Development Manager
Lactalis South Africa
11.2010 - 08.2020
National Dimploma - Food Sciences And Technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Sensory Analysis Training
Food Speciality Service
Internal Auditor - Manufacturing
FSSC
Manufacturing
HACCP 22000