Ashleigh Graham
Perth
Summary
As Head of Technical, entrusted with shaping the future of the Technical function and driving the company's Technical and quality strategy. This pivotal role involves developing the business and ensuring the company meets its strategic objectives, while also influencing daily operations and performance. Building high-performing relationships across the business is a proven strength, collaborating closely with Heads of Departments, Directors, and operatives in all departments. Simultaneously, effectively managing own team and responsibilities. In this role, first-class Technical management, strong leadership, and exceptional people skills are essential. Committed to leading by example, demonstrating boundless energy and enthusiasm. Keen attention to detail and proactive approach to identifying necessary changes enable engagement at all levels of the business, as well as with Customers and Suppliers. Additionally, flexible and versatile nature allows considering and addressing the needs of other departments. Gravitas, persuasion, and negotiation skills successfully integrate initiatives as a core part of the business.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Technical
Daily Chef Ltd
09.2023 - Current
- Startup business, responsible for Quality and Product Development
- Launched 13 products to date with a further 15 in October
- Delivering Technical and quality strategy throughout Daily Chef
- Implementing customer manufacturing requirements
- Training and implementing procedures
- Feasibility trials, product costings, specification writing and compliance
- Built high performing relationship with major retailer
- Strong leadership and people skills
- Proactive to resolve problems
New Product Development Manager
Vesco Foods
01.2018 - 09.2023
- Leading Vesco's New Product Development department on marketing leading brands such as Lean Cuisine, Super Nature, On the Menu and Annabel Karmel using stage and gate process
- Creating and maintaining customer portals – Fusion, Sphere, APP
- Allocation of resources, cross-functional relationships, and strong project management ensure execution of product launches and improvements to plan
- Reviewed product development budgets, expenditures and research
- Identified opportunities for new products and improvements to existing products to increase sales
- Oversaw development of more than 50+ new products each year
- Managed product launches by creating plans and coordinating with internal teams to maximise success
- Created and executed strategies to drive development and success of products
- Maintained internal product knowledge database
- Directed product design, feature definitions.
Innovation Development Manager
Moy Park
06.2017 - 01.2018
- Successfully developed ready to eat snacks collaborating with Jack Links
- Achieved 30% fat reduction on fried product funded by Innovate UK
- Carried out concept trial work using new machinery, packaging and ingredients in line with pre gate zero process
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced environment
- Organised and detail-oriented with strong work ethic
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating ability to work collaboratively and effectively
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
New Product Development Technologist
Moy Park
11.2013 - 06.2017
- Managed and developed products that deliver attractive, profitable products
- Managed development projects for Moy Park by leading meetings and communicating progress to both internal and external teams
- Launched 21 products in 6 months for Morrisons
- Worked effectively with other functions such as commercial, operations, group technical, process, packaging, site technical to deliver new products and reformulations of existing products
- Focused on optimisation and continuous improvement where possible
- Working closely with other technologists / to agree objectives and create work plans to deliver projects successfully
- Applied all relevant laws and regulations along with company and customer policies and practices pertaining to food standards, preparation and hygiene
- Conduct factory trials to generate specifications, nutrition, shelf life, cooking instructions and customer samples
- Product Costings – generating recipe passports accurately for product to be costed by site accounts
- Travelling to other sites in England and Thailand for trials or customer visits
- Presentations at customer headquarters - Tesco, Sainsburys, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons and Aldi
- Organising and carrying out successful product launches
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Assistant Food Technologist
Moy Park
05.2007 - 11.2013
- Competitor analysis – carrying out benchmarking sessions regularly
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects
- Assisting technologists in their role with paperwork (Submission forms and theoretical nutrition calculations)
- Representing Moy Park at food events and customer presentations
- Carrying out factory trials at various sites in Northern Ireland and England
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments
- Demonstrated strong organisational and time management skills while managing multiple projects
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Education
PRINCE2 6th Edition Foundation -
ILX Group
Online01.2024
Master of Science - Food Nutrition and Health
University College Dublin
Dublin (Online)05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Food Manufacturing
Loughry College
Cookstown, Northern Ireland12.2015
Skills
- Product Development
- Food Regulations
- Project Management
- Specification Writing
- Budgeting and Allocation
- Product Costings
- Nutrition
- Ingredients
- Public Speaking
- Analytical Thinking
- Multitasking
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to Detail
- Project Planning
- Time Management
- Decision-Making
Additional Information
Dual Citizenship - British & Australian
Full Clean Driving License - British & Australian
Timeline
Head of Technical
Daily Chef Ltd
09.2023 - Current
New Product Development Manager
Vesco Foods
01.2018 - 09.2023
Innovation Development Manager
Moy Park
06.2017 - 01.2018
New Product Development Technologist
Moy Park
11.2013 - 06.2017
Assistant Food Technologist
Moy Park
05.2007 - 11.2013
PRINCE2 6th Edition Foundation -
ILX Group
Master of Science - Food Nutrition and Health
University College Dublin
Bachelor of Science - Food Manufacturing
Loughry College
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