Dr Jessica Goble

As a People Leader (Principal Scientist I) for a team of 8 Development Scientists, I played a critical role in supporting the growth and performance of the team through coaching, mentorship and servant leadership. I worked as part of a leadership team that managed the Sequencing Assay Development group in Cape Town in terms of strategy, resource management and day-to-day operations. I was also involved in project work in a Scrum Master capacity, applying Agile methodologies, to continuously strive to improve project team performance, so that new products could be delivered to market on time.

I reported directly to the Sub-Chapter Lead (Director) for the Sequencing Assay Development group. The Development team supports Roche Diagnostics' Sequencing portfolio through the development and maintenance of library preparation products for next generation sequencing (NGS).

As a People Leader, I delivered value to the organization by:

• Supporting a team of Development Scientists in delivering on their responsibilities and in their professional development through coaching and mentorship.
• Creating and fostering a high-performance team environment within project teams through coaching and mentorship, in a Scrum Mater capacity.
• Bringing a passion for people leadership and a growth mindset to the role.
• Providing matrix leadership consistent with the Roche values and operating principles.
• Contributing as a management professional and a member of the Development management team member to strategy, planning and day-to-day management of the Development group.

From the knowledge and interactions that I fostered in the food sector, I established my own small business enterprise due to Covid closing the doors of my previous employer. This small business supported food manufacturers with product development and technical expertise, with a key focus on improving nutritional content of low–cost meals, while offering the customer an attractive return on investment. The main source of revenue came through consulting services, as we as through the sale of functional ingredients.

Services that were offered included:

• Supply of food ingredients, specifically highly functional ingredients that offered a proven return on investment. With customers, we were able to journey with the customer through product development (or product reformulation), all the way to commercialization; and everything in between.
• Consulting services, for any specialist projects that required an out–the–box approach that may pose a technical challenge were our expertise. Other project facets that may have required our assistance included product development, including flavour pack formulations that become the Customer's own intellectual property; Quality Management Systems (QMS) development for audit-readiness; microbiological problem–solving, trending, and reporting; food manufacturing efficiencies; to name a few.
• Through collaboration, we offered microbiological and chemical testing services that went beyond a page of results. In addition to microbiological testing, we strived to provide our customer with quantitative and qualitative sensory analysis (organoleptic analysis); shelf–life analysis and trending, including accelerated shelf life; TME (total meat equivalent), both calculated and actual; food safety consultation; and more.

My position involved shaping the organization's technical strategy, leading the technical team in the development, compliance, and evolution of customer–specific products. Responsibilities included overseeing hygiene, housekeeping, and food handling processes; compliance to food safety standards; managing food safety quality management system; advising on nutritional, food quality and packaging regulations; and liaising directly with customers on any technical matters or concerns. I was also responsible for leading innovation and concept creation designed to build alignment and unifying visions for the company's work on key product developments.

As a Technical Director, I was primarily responsible for:

• Overseeing the company's R&D Department as well as Quality Control and Quality Assurance, ensuring that the business strategy aligned with the objectives of the various departments.
• Driving accountability, consistency, quality, and process standardization across all phases of research and development, as well as design transfer to Manufacturing.
• In accordance with company, objectives, develop and monitor research plans and budgets for R&D projects, ensuring projects were completed on time and within cost.
• Drive adherence to good health and safety practices and compliance with applicable health and safety regulations.
• Development and oversight of budgets, policies, and procedures to support the functional infrastructure of the various departments.

The best part of this position was bringing new highly scientific technologies to the business, and in so doing moving the needle of the bottom line. My work involved managing high profile special projects that had a large impact on the business financially. I designed and implemented new product development strategies from the research and development phase all the way to commercialization, with a focus on attaining financial benefits through technology. My work was aimed at technology transfer, working at the interface between R&D and Marketing, offering an opportunity to bring ideas to market.

Major responsibilities included:

• Leading major research projects and coordinating activities of other research workers
• Project management, of about around 10 high profile special projects that have a large impact on the business financially, including designing and implementing new product development strategies from the research and development phase to commercialization
• Interpreting results of research projects and recommending associated product development and meat block innovations
• Provide advice on research and development options available to the organisation, as well as executing and implementing highly scientific meat processing technologies
• Drive the business processing and quality assurance compliance with specifications through regular engagement with SHEQ and Processing management, providing technical expertise and insight

My work involved undertaking research projects in flavour–based fermentation. I designed and implemented a product development strategy from the research and development phase toward commercialization. I was also involved in numerous other projects around snack dustings, mayonnaise, sauces, and fat spread development, savoury applications, as well as meat technology. I also project–managed the origination of the Kerry EMEA Innovation Centre of Excellence.

Major responsibilities included:

• Management of a 2–year research project in flavour–based fermentation, designing and implementing a product development strategy from the research and development phase toward commercialization
• Project management, of about around 5 projects at any given time for various customers as well as internal product development in numerous applications including: snack dustings, mayonnaise development, sauces and fat spread development, savoury applications, as well as meat technology
• New product development in meat technology for customers, including spice pack and functional ingredients development as well as meat block recipe development
• Project management of the origination of the Kerry Regional Development and Application Centre of Excellence, including laboratory equipment sourcing and purchasing, purchasing of smalls, coordination of contractors, purchasing of furniture, budgeting, and planning
• Execution of routine lab work including moisture, protein, and fat analyses, HPLC, GC, salt titration, texture analysis

I spent half my time at Buckman working as a technical specialist, coordinating about 10 projects at any given time for various clients, in a wide multiplicity of applications including pulp and paper, water treatment, petrochemical, food and beverage, among others. Remaining time was spent at customer sites performing a sales–related function. This bilateral work profile allowed me to explore both the research and corporate sectors of science, on an industrial platform.

Major responsibilities included:

• Project management, of about 10 projects at any given time for various customers, in a wide multiplicity of applications including pulp and paper; water treatment; petrochemical; food and beverage; among others
• Contribute to the assessment, development, reformulation, quality, maintenance, and enhancement of products strategies relating to planning, executing, and analysis of experiments with clear and accurate results
• Provide a full range of chemical and process technical support for customers, and internal projects and initiatives, including problem solving solutions to technical problems, product or process related
• Engaging with other technical groups and academic institutions to share knowledge and for joint venture research and projects
• Execution of routine lab work including evaluation of flocculants for clarification of raw water, effluent, and various process applications; evaluation of scale and corrosion control agents; evaluation of dispersants; deposit and water analysis; and assistance in trial monitoring