Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Charlie (Zhaohua) Qi

Carrum Downs

Summary

Specialized Nutritional Powder Technologist and Qualified Nutritionist with 8+ years of experience in the food manufacturing industry, including 7 years of expertise in infant milk powder and ingredients primarily within three major reputable companies, including Bellamy's Organic, Fonterra Darnum and Bega Tatura Milk Industry. Demonstrated proficiency in commercial product development, formulation, quality assurance, operations, and powder drying technology. Skilled in regulatory compliance and experienced in supplying global customers such as Bellamy's Organic, Bubs, Danone, Mead Johnson, Blackmores, and others. Broad site exposure across 4 Infant Milk Powder Wet Processing Plants and 3 Dry Blending/Canning Plants in Australia. Additionally, possess approximately 2.5 years of effective people management experience at Fonterra. Backed by 7+ years of tertiary education in applied industry chemistry, food science, food processing, nutrition, and dietetics, with a proven track record of fast learning and strong numerical skills, as evidenced by university awards.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Technical Manager - Infant Milk Formula

Bellamy's Organic
04.2022 - Current

Product Development:

  • Led the development of new products following the Stage Gate Process, from ideation to launch, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
  • Collaborated with marketing and sales teams to drive market-driven innovation, develop product concepts, and conduct consumer research.
  • Managed the assessment and development of new formulations, nutrition panels, and ingredient sourcing in compliance with regulations and organic standards.
  • Oversaw product trials, sensory evaluations, and shelf-life validation to finalize formulations and specifications.
  • Coordinated with third-party manufacturers and suppliers to ensure technical capabilities, on-time delivery, and budget compliance.
  • Provided technical expertise for packaging validation and approval.

Cost Optimization:

  • Developed relationships with third-party manufacturers and ingredient suppliers to drive cost optimization initiatives.
  • Led reformulation efforts and evaluated alternative suppliers to reduce costs.
  • Provided technical expertise for ingredient shelf-life evaluation to minimize waste.

Regulatory Compliance and Market Access:

  • Managed the SAMR GB-2 registration process and supported factory upgrades to meet regulatory requirements.
  • Facilitated China organic WIT certification process.

Market Analysis and Training:

  • Engaged with ingredient suppliers, Group R&D team, and regulatory bodies to stay updated on new ingredient trends.
  • Conducted product competitor reviews and provided recommendations for future innovation plans.
  • Provided product training to distributors and sales teams across different regions.

Major Achievements:

  • "Contributed to achieving FDA exemption for export to the USA, positioning the brand as the second infant formula brand in Australia to gain approval for a permanent access pathway.
  • Led the technical launch of Bellamy’s Gold+ infant product and Bellamy’s CBEC Kids Milk.
  • Spearheaded the technical development of new Bellamy’s Organic PRC Kids Milk Product and Bellamy’s Organic Australian infant formula upgrade.
  • Supported cost-saving initiatives, mitigating $7 million of ingredient waste associated with COVID stock buildup.

Formulation Technologist - Operation

Fonterra Darnum Australia
01.2020 - 04.2022

New Product and Process Development:

  • Successfully addressed Bellamy's ORG STG 1 & 2 , Bubs Organic S1 and S3 processing and drying challenges, ensuring commercialization readiness and alignment with Bega powder specifications, including powder bulk density and agglomerate strength.
  • Led operation trials for Fonterra Brand NZMP New Organic Nutritional Powder, meeting China GB2 standard requirements.
  • Supported Darnum capital project for manufacturing new low protein paediatric product, ensuring high-quality standards and functionality, including bulk density, solution appearance, wettability, free fat issues, amino acid fortification, sticky point calculation, concentrate viscosity measurement in collaboration with wider Australia and NZ technical team and Fonterra Research and Development Centre team in NZ

Project Leadership:

  • Managed commissioning of powder image analyser, viscometer, and advanced process control measure of exhaust RH monitoring program, new plate heat exchangers and new fines return configuration.
  • Spearheaded new packaging development and conducted plant trials for quality assessment.
  • Took the lead in solving product and processing issues such as NutriWhite lumping and stickiness in collaboration with R&D teams.

Process Optimization and Automation:

  • Develop program to monitor milk seasonal variation for optimisation of formulation and analyse differences between different regions in Victoria and how it compares to NZ Waitoa region.
  • Developed milk permeate calculator using VBA programming to streamline formulation processes.
  • Enhanced efficiency of campaign management processes, optimizing existing processing conditions.

Leadership and Department Management:

  • Managed dispensary operation and pilot plant assets, including pilot dryer, canning machine,
  • Overseeing dispensory staff training and skill enhancement initiatives.
  • Actively participated in rotating production leadership roles to address daily production challenges, including being a after hour production lead on call.

Product Development Technologist - Nutritionals

Tatura Milk Industries Ltd, Bega Cheese Ltd
04.2018 - 01.2020

Product Development and Formulation Maintenance:

  • Developed new products under stage gate process and maintained existing formulations across various categories including organic infant formula, organic A2 powder, Bubs goat's milk formula, elderly milk formula, children and pregnancy formula, Blackmores OPO powder, DHA powder, and lactoferrin powder.
  • Collaborated with the supply chain team to source raw materials and establish raw material specifications in compliance with FSANZ, Vendor Assurance QMS, and importing country requirements.
  • Created new product formulations, bill of materials, customer specifications, and manufacturing operating conditions.
  • Reviewed product, artwork, and packaging specifications adhering to regulations set by FSANZ, Codex Standard, and China GB standard.

Trial Management and Quality Assurance:

  • Held new product trial meetings with QA, laboratory, and production teams and supervised NPD trials.
  • Established product testing requirements with internal and external laboratories following DFSV, FSANZ, and Department of Agriculture export requirements.
  • Conducted finished product testing and shelf-life evaluations.
  • Conducted small-scale trials at the pilot plant and laboratory.

Major Achievements:

  • Led the NPD project for Bubs Goat's milk formula Step 1, 2 & 3, resulting in commercialization three months ahead of schedule in 2019.
  • Developed plant capability for storing low-volume goat's milk on-site and created the Goat's Milk Formulation Calculator using VBA programming language to automate formulation processes, increase yield, reduce waste, maximize country of origin percentage, and enable flexible supply chain management of niche ingredients.
  • Facilitated Bellamy's NPD trials, including organic A2, goat's milk, and OPO formula trials in 2018 and 2019.
  • Developed technical documents for SAMR new product registration in 2018.
  • Assisted the commercial team in saving approximately 1 million dollars in compliance with COFCC & WIT China organic regulatory requirements for Bega brand organic milk formula.

Dry Blending Formulator & QA Officer

Australian Natural Milk Association
09.2017 - 04.2018

Dry Blending Formulator:

  • Led new product trials in canning facilities, overseeing dry blending formulations.
  • Prepared CFDA (now SAMR) Registration technical documents for the China market.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

  • Implemented environmental monitoring programs, pest control measures, and routine GMP audits to ensure compliance.
  • Designed sampling plans and conducted quality tests for products and packaging, including sensory analysis and can seam tests.
  • Monitored and implemented cost-effective cleaning and sanitation programs, verifying effectiveness through hygiene evaluation tools.
  • Evaluated MSDS for cleaning disinfectants and chemicals to ensure food safety compliance.
  • Conducted trend analysis from testing results to drive quality and hygiene standard improvements.
  • Ensured adherence to quality policies and regulatory requirements at federal, state, local, and importing country levels.
  • Supported engineering improvement projects and warehouse service providers to maintain food safety and hygiene standards.
  • Managed quality documentation activities, including audits and calibration, and addressed non-compliance through Corrective Action Requests (CARs).

Training and Procurement Support:

  • Facilitated hygiene program, quality, and GMP training for plant personnel.
  • Supported procurement team through approved supplier process to ensure food quality and safety.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement:

  • Prepared quality compliance reports and investigated customer complaints.
  • Proactively improved product quality by monitoring specifications and driving corrective actions for non-compliant materials/products.
  • Developed recommendations for operating procedure improvements and collaborated with quality personnel for suggested enhancements.
  • Supported 5S activities for workplace organization and efficiency.

Nutrition Research Project Officer

Healthy Kids Association
01.2016 - 12.2016

Nutritional Public Health Research Officer:

  • Supported the implementation of the Healthy School Canteen Strategy 2017 for primary and secondary schools in New South Wales.
  • Analyzed the nutrition profile of food products sold in school canteens and calculated their Health Star Ratings using methods developed by the George Institute Global Research.


Regulatory Compliance and Evaluation:

  • Evaluated Front of Pack Labeling, Health Star Ratings, Country of Origin, and Raw Material Specifications according to Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) guidelines.
  • Reviewed product information forms for all registered canteen food products, ensuring compliance with nutritional standards.


Database Development and Method Establishment:

  • Established a quantitative method and food database to accurately assess nutritional value, incorporating factors such as dietary fiber, FVNL% (Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts, and Legumes), and concentrated vegetables and fruits for food products sold in NSW school canteens.

Student Clinical Dietitian

Sydney Hospitals
01.2016 - 12.2016

Student Clinical Dietitian:

  • Completed training in multiple specialized hospitals and clinics across Sydney.
  • Provided medical nutrition therapy as part of the allied health management team to improve the quality of life for patients with severe medical conditions.

Clinical Nutrition Therapy:

  • Provided medical nutrition therapy at Westmead Children's Hospital for 0-6 month infants with various medical conditions, including low birth weight, prematurity, metabolic diseases, and intestinal malformations.
  • Managed clinical infant formula products tailored to specific needs, such as low-sodium formula and predigested protein formula for infants allergic to cow's milk proteins.
  • Conducted individual case management for follow-on infants, toddlers, and young children transitioning to solid food diets from clinical formula.
  • Provided individual case management for food allergies and intolerances, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) at Sydney Prince Alfred Hospital.
  • Prescribed nutrition supplements and optimized nutrition for patients with diverse medical conditions at Concord Hospital and Royal Rehab in Sydney.

Food Safety Auditing and Clinical Research:

  • Audited food safety programs for food service at Balmain Hospital, Ryde Hospital, and Manly Hospital in Sydney.
  • Conducted clinical research on nutritional intake and body composition of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients and their risk of developing colorectal cancer in collaboration with a gastroenterologist.


Education

Master of Science - Nutrition And Dietetics

The University of Sydney
11.2016

Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition -

The University of Auckland
12.2014

Skills

  • Product Development
  • Dietitian & Nutritionist
  • Infant Nutrition Council
  • Quality assurance
  • People management
  • Microsoft Office Software
  • VBA programming knowledge
  • Bilingual (English & Chinese)
  • Food labelling and legislation
  • Hamilton Grant & Foodworks Formulation Software
  • Team Player
  • Dry blending & wet processing

Timeline

Technical Manager - Infant Milk Formula

Bellamy's Organic
04.2022 - Current

Formulation Technologist - Operation

Fonterra Darnum Australia
01.2020 - 04.2022

Product Development Technologist - Nutritionals

Tatura Milk Industries Ltd, Bega Cheese Ltd
04.2018 - 01.2020

Dry Blending Formulator & QA Officer

Australian Natural Milk Association
09.2017 - 04.2018

Nutrition Research Project Officer

Healthy Kids Association
01.2016 - 12.2016

Student Clinical Dietitian

Sydney Hospitals
01.2016 - 12.2016

Master of Science - Nutrition And Dietetics

The University of Sydney

Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition -

The University of Auckland
Charlie (Zhaohua) Qi