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Innovation, Product Development, R&D

Location:
Brea, CA
Salary:
Negotiable
Posted:
November 18, 2020

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Resume:

Research and Development Executive

Accomplished research and development (R&D) executive with 15+ years’ experience in the food, nutrition, and supplement sectors, with an entrepreneurial spirit dedicated to creating innovative products which help people and planet. Innovative and tenacious leader with unsurpassed fervor for ideation, development, and execution of novel products to drive enhancements to consumers’ health and habits. Demonstrated success in mutually beneficial collaboration to successfully and efficiently deliver new products to market. Strong aptitude for defining and launching best practices to reduce costs and optimize performance, resulting in increased market share and profitability. Areas of Expertise

Professional Experience

Upshoot, Costa Mesa, CA October 2018 - May 2020

Vice President, Product Development and Innovation Executive leadership for startup, striving for accessible plant-based nutrition for all. Charged with product lifecycle management (PLM) including ideation and innovation, quality assurance, regulatory com- pliance, co-packer identification and relations, packaging, global sourcing, sensory, and product strategy. Established and fostered partner network, leveraging external expertise and accelerated development process. Executed robust and flawless marketing and operational strategies, and product launches. Designed and implemented rapid prototyping and groundbreaking testing programs for new ideas, formulas, and formats.

Strengthened marketing position by creating effective and ambitious product strategy based on nutritional science and operational and financial goals.

Investigated consumer trends to identify opportunities, creating innovative products using advanced tech- nologies and adhering to pricing and cost targets.

Oversaw $600K product development and R&D budget, coming in 10% under budget during first year of opera- tion.

Launched products within six months, including creation of cutting-edge concepts, product development, and gathering consumer insights.

MedMen, Culver City, CA May 2018 - October 2018

Vice President, Research and Development

Imaginative developer of science-based products for a premium cannabis retailer. Explored and researched available technologies to provide more efficient onset and consistent experience of edibles. Partnered with leadership to align and prioritize strategies, and create prototypes for feasibility studies and opportuni- ties. Teamed with Vice Presidents of Processing, Marketing, Operations, Regulatory, and Agriculture teams to streamline and implement vertical integration strategy, emphasizing supply chain regulation and availability for new products. Implemented efficient model processes for cannabis-infused gummies, shelf-stable beverages, mixable effervescent drinks, and vape pens. Leveraged external partners to recruit consumer test panels for evaluation and feedback. Con- sulted with contracts to design novel and first-class laboratory for R&D, product development, and consumer testing. Managed $1M budget.

Successful development and launch of first [Statemade] branded product for Las Vegas, NV locations.

Created strategy and process for material balance assessment of materials to ensure component availability, resulting in $500K savings.

Created rapid prototyping strategy and process to quickly assess feasibility, internal, and consumer interest. Scott C. Harris Brea, CA 98281 714-***-****

adhyml@r.postjobfree.com linkedin.com/in/scottcharris1

• Product Development • Product Lifecycle Management

• Research & Design

• Food & Nutrition • Marketing & Operations

• Quality Assurance

• Consumer Health • Product & Brand Launch

• Strategic Leadership

continued…

Scott C. Harris Page 2

Herbalife Nutrition, Torrance, CA September 2012 - May 2018 Senior Director, R&D Product Formulation

Global direct selling leader in weight management, healthy meals and snacks, sports and fitness, energy and targeted nu- tritional products.

Cultivated and managed Core Nutrition line (foods) and Outer Nutrition line (cosmetics and skincare). Charged with corporate governance related to global formula approval. Inspired and led team to explore 50+ new concepts and Clean Label initiatives for F1. Served as subject matter expert and team lead for strategic discussions for new F1 Select Product line (non-GMO, clean label, alternate protein). Liaised with and led cross-functional and interdepartmental teams to customize and institutionalize R&D best practices. Ensured business continuity and onboarding processes for home office and global R&D new leaders. Pioneered oversight, investigation, and recommendations of Europe, the Mid- dle East and Africa (EMEA) R&D and contract manufacturing support. Identified unallocated resources at co-manufac- turer. Implemented tracking, metrics, and process controls to better leverage EMEA R&D and co-manufacture support.

Achieved $110M in new revenue through cost savings and cost avoidance in regulatory compliance in 2015.

Generated strategy for renovation of Formula One (F1) and Herbal Tea Concentrate Global formula nutrition- al standardization and optimization, streamlining global communications and eliminating 100+ raw materials, resulting in improved efficiencies of $50M+.

Explored and investigated new PLM software options for full integration with existing Oracle Agile system.

Oversaw creation and first introduction of University partnership to expand innovation program and introduce new product ideas.

Aligned corporate and global enhancements in sensory program with consumer packaged goods (CPG) best practices.

Herbalife Nutrition, Torrance, CA

Director, R&D Foods

Directed and mentored team of 13 professionals at all levels, leveraging skillsets, passions, and growth opportunities. Charged with effective and efficient management of internal resources to execute on global strategic initiatives.

Responsible for approximately 65% of revenue totaling $3.2B comprised of F1 protein shakes, tea concen- trates, and snack portfolio, overseeing technical and formula aspects.

Championed global harmonization of F1 formulas to ensure compliance, unify marketing, and enhance internal manufacturing efficiencies, resulting in 50% reduction of discrete formulas in key regions.

Orchestrated home office global expansion of R&D to Shanghai, China via construction of new lab. Nellson Nutraceuticals, Irwindale, CA September 2009 - September 2012 Director, R&D Product Development

Transformed product formats and ingredient formulations for customization to consumer needs (athletic, energy- boosting, restrictive diets, and medical nutrition). Oversaw R&D and product development for contract nutritional bar division at two North American locations (Irwin- dale, California and Montreal, Canada). Supervised and facilitated activities of 12 direct reports. Prioritized and coor- dinated 50+ competing consumer- and internally-driven projects. Envisioned and incorporated strategic vision for en- tire R&D team.

Delivered incremental sales revenue over 20% of total sales revenue in 2011 via product introductions.

Streamlined product development cycle, resulting in flawless execution of product launches and record num- ber of commercialization trials in 2011.

Nellson Nutraceuticals, Irwindale, CA

Senior Manager, R&D Product Development

Completed and disseminated root cause analysis and problem-prevention skills in response to formulation and process improvement opportunities. Developed and implemented processes and programs to effectively and efficiently assess new opportunities, and quickly execute prototypes and cost estimates for customer approvals. Led and directed team of technical professionals for rapid implementation of new processes, and created forum for team to generate and present new process and product ideas.

Implemented program for seamless commercialization of nutritional bar formulas from benchtop to full produc- tion, resulting in increased consistency and yields in commercialization cycle, saving $1M+ in 2010. continued…

Scott C. Harris Page 3

Pharmavite (division of Otsuka Pharmaceuticals), Valencia, CA January 2004 – September 2009 Manager, R&D Product Development

Manufacturer and retailer of Nature Made brand, a leader in vitamin and supplement category. Oversaw R&D and product development for Nature Made brand including Nature Made Letter Vitamins, Nature Made Multi- Vitamins, Herbal, and Combination products, totaling $370M in gross sales. Served as key member of Nature Made and In- novation Development business teams accountable for strategic direction of brand. Teamed with cross-functional teams

(marketing, manufacturing, packaging, production planning, procurement, regulatory, finance) and lead science and tech- nology to ensure all launch timelines were maintained. Implemented systemized product development process to ensure tablet formulation robustness at commercialization.

Led and mentored product development team to 40+ new product introductions including Rx Essentials, Vit- aminID, and Nature Made Sleep.

Ideated and led team to implement multi-tip tooling, resulting in 12% increase in production capacity, tripling production speeds in compressing, and delivering an annual savings in excess of $500K.

Improved speed to market introductions through process and system enhancements. ConAgra Foods, Irvine, CA March 1992 - January 2004 Group Manager, Product Development, Family Meals and Venture Business Units Premier CPG manufacturer and retailer of processed and packaged foods. Responsible for retail branded items including Banquet Homestyle Bakes, Healthy Choice Soups, Rosarita Brands, Wolf Chili, Dennison’s Chili, Van Camp’s Beans, Luck’s Brand, Libby’s, Butterball, and Manwich. Supervised and directed five product development professionals and two technicians. Effectively managed two business units, Family Meals and Venture, totaling combined annual gross sale of $880M. Orchestrated and led cross-functional teams comprised of marketing, packaging en- gineering, contract operations, plant operations, logistics, thermal process authority, package design, culinary services, consumer insights, regulatory, legal counsel, and documentation.

Served as Product Development Group Manager for one of the largest, most successful new product launches in ConAgra’s recent history, Banquet Homestyle Bakes. First year of national launch exceeded $160M gross sales as one of top three most successful new products in 2001.

Increased gross margins on Banquet Homestyle Bakes by 50% from 2001 through 2003.

Championed 50% reduction in consumer complaints by implementing new manufacturing process to control protein variation in Homestyle Bakes and other canned products.

Qualified alternate production facilities of Banquet Homestyle Bakes to meet volumes requirements twice that of original forecast.

ConAgra Foods, Irvine, CA

Manager, Product Development, Venture Business Unit Spearheaded International Home Foods (IHF) ConAgra Foods R&D integration products, such as consolidations, co-packer repatriation, product, and ingredient specification harmonization.

Pioneered product development for successful relocation and start-up of Rosarita and private-label refried bean operation. Optimization resulted in savings of $250K annually. Gilroy Foods (a ConAgra Foods Co.), Santa Ana, CA

Director, Capsicum Technologies

Headed capsicum product and process development with annual sales of $85M and annual budget of $350K.

Launched H2Oleoresin water dispersible oleoresin products and implemented modified atmosphere packaging

(MAP) system for capsicum products.

Education

Bachelor California of State Science, University, Food Science Long Beach, and Nutrition CA minor in Chemistry



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