James Hughes
Cypress,TX
Summary
Dynamic, results-driven professional with a solid foundation in specialized tasks, consistently delivering outcomes through targeted initiatives. Expertise in implementing effective strategies that enhance operational efficiency while aligning with team objectives. Recognized for exceptional problem-solving skills and a proven track record in project management, successfully driving projects to completion. Committed to fostering collaboration and innovation to achieve organizational goals.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Creative Lead / R&D Sale
MPF
06.2024 - Current
- Led creative projects from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with brand strategy.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative marketing campaigns.
- Enhanced brand identity by developing innovative and visually compelling design concepts.
- Created cohesive visual storytelling across multiple platforms, strengthening brand consistency.
- Developed engaging content strategies that increased audience reach and social media engagement rates.
GM, Director of R&D and Process Improvement
WG Provisions
06.2021 - 05.2022
- Implemented performance metrics to monitor team productivity and optimize resource allocation.
- Developed and executed comprehensive training programs to empower staff across departments.
- Cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders to align operational goals with organizational strategy.
- Streamlined processes, reducing turnaround time and improving service delivery standards.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on key projects and initiatives.
- Led operational strategy to enhance productivity and streamline processes across multiple departments.
Director of Operations and Culinary Innovations / Plant General Manager
WG Provisions
06.2021 - 05.2022
- Develop plant staff on operations to increase productivity in all facets of manufacturing production.
- Developed new platforms through redevelopment of current products, while increasing production throughput and profitability.
- Keys to our successes have been Food Quality, Cost Efficiency, and Food Safety with the implementation of culinary excellence and setting of Gold Standards through all facets of production.
- A premier meat processing plant of fresh and frozen proteins products. WG sells fully cooked or naturally smoked using a special blend of hickory, mesquite and pecan hardwoods. Core business profiles are, co-pack and foodservice customers, with a heavy focus on co-pack.
Director of Product Development and Culinary Innovation
Better Meat Co
02.2020 - 06.2021
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative plant-based products, enhancing market competitiveness.
- Oversaw product lifecycle management from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Conducted extensive market research to identify consumer trends and inform product development strategies.
- Collaborated with R&D to optimize formulations, enhancing nutritional profiles and sustainability of offerings.
- Implemented agile methodologies to streamline development processes, reducing time-to-market for new products.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering professional growth and promoting a culture of innovation within the department.
- Established key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Engaged with stakeholders across the organization to align product vision with overall business objectives and customer needs.
- Oversaw product design and roadmap and coordinated aspects of development and rollout.
- Worked collaboratively with developers, senior-level stakeholders and partners to collect data on deficiencies and provide solutions to long-standing issues.
- Met strict deadlines, coordinating moving parts in product team and orchestrating well-designed flow.
- Negotiated with vendors to secure cost-effective materials and services, improving profitability while maintaining quality standards.
- Evaluated competitor offerings to identify opportunities for differentiation and capitalize on market trends.
- Developed innovative products for the market, leading to increased revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Mentored junior team members to foster skill development and promote career growth within the organization.
Director of R&D
RR Brand Foods Inc.
05.2018 - 12.2018
- Developed new platforms through redevelopment of current products, while increasing production throughput and profitability.
- Keys to our successes have been Food Quality, Cost Efficiency, and Food Safety with the implementation of culinary excellence and setting of Gold Standards through all facets of production.
- Launched new line of Holmes smoked sausage slices, developed new products, process and worked directly with packaging and labeling teams to finalize finished concepts.
- Launched new line of ABF chicken sausage for HEB.
- Developed new sausage and pulled meats platforms for Branded Retail.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative food products aligned with market trends.
- Managed R&D budget, optimizing resource allocation for maximum product output.
- Established quality control protocols, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Collaborated with marketing to launch successful product lines, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement.
- Mentored junior scientists, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Spearheaded process improvements that reduced time-to-market for new products significantly.
- Conducted extensive market research to inform product development strategies and identify emerging opportunities.
- Implemented advanced testing methodologies, resulting in improved product formulations and performance consistency.
- Contributed to revenue growth by identifying new market opportunities through comprehensive analysis of industry trends and competitor activities.
- Fostered a positive work environment through open communication channels allowing employees to voice concerns thereby reducing turnover rates.
- Collaborated closely with marketing and sales teams to align R&D efforts with customer needs and market trends.
Director of R&D
Eddy Packing Company Inc.
10.2015 - 05.2018
- Developing new and exciting products and retooling current products to increase product awareness through (Natural, Clean Label and Organic Platforms).
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative food products aligned with market trends.
- Managed R&D budget, optimizing resource allocation for maximum product output.
- Established quality control protocols, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Collaborated with marketing to launch successful product lines, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement.
- Mentored junior scientists, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Spearheaded process improvements that reduced time-to-market for new products significantly.
- Implemented advanced testing methodologies, resulting in improved product formulations and performance consistency.
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal resource allocation for critical projects and initiatives.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project execution, resulting in improved product quality and reduced time to market.
- Identified potential risks in product development cycles early on, implementing mitigation strategies to prevent delays or setbacks.
- Contributed to revenue growth by identifying new market opportunities through comprehensive analysis of industry trends and competitor activities.
- Fostered a positive work environment through open communication channels allowing employees to voice concerns thereby reducing turnover rates.
- Championed a culture of innovation by encouraging creative problem-solving among team members, leading to breakthrough technological advancements.
- Secured intellectual property protection for key inventions with timely patent filings and thorough documentation.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
R&D Manager / Corporate Research Chef
Hardee's Food Systems (Corporate Office)
08.2007 - 10.2015
- Worked closely with key department professionals in QA, Operations and Brand Marketing and the development of meaningful products directly with key manufacturing partners.
- During this process my main focus was Food Quality, Cost Efficiency, and Food Safety with the implementation of culinary excellence and setting of Gold Standards through all facets of production.
- Created new burgers for successful dual branded LTO promotions including the following (Memphis Thickburger, Mile High Bacon Thickburger, Jim Beam Bourbon Thickburger) etc.
- Developed LRT's and LTO's for four different platforms Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner, Desserts/Drinks, and Red Burrito Mexican concept. My major focus was proteins for the different dayparts.
- Developed new products with a focus on current menu platforms and restaurant efficiencies.
- Worked directly with large manufacturers (Cargill Meat, Advance Pierre Foods, and Flowers Baking, etc.) in the development of new items for LRT, LTO and system offerings to include sauces, sides, spreads, new seasoning blends, bread, accompaniments, cheeses, protein based items and vegetable combinations for products, low sodium products, healthy sandwiches and clean label menu items.
- Writing of detailed process specification, operational procedures manuals, costing sheets, master formulations and, detailed yield studies with emphasis on quality assurance and public safety.
- Implementation of training guides with a strong focus around key operational needs.
- Support operations, purchasing and marketing departments through manufacturing development, culinary expertise, and scientific technical support.
- Trained and supervised at pilot production runs with appropriate personnel.
- Developed vendor and client relationships to help aid in the R&D process and company goal of adding the best possible product for the fairest market price.
- Culinary and manufacturing lead for product matching.
- During my time with Hardee's company continued to grow even during poor economic times, through the development and implementation of new and exciting products with the AUV (Average unit Volume) growing from $850mm to $1.250mm annually with the largest growth coming from the Lunch/Dinner category.
- American held QSR hamburger chain with over 5,800 units worldwide and owned by parent company CKE Restaurants (Carl's Jr.'s). Company decided to move their corporate offices in late 2015 to Franklin, Tennessee.
- Conducted research and analysis to identify opportunities for product improvement and cost reduction.
Education
AOS - Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park, NY11-1993
Skills
- Customer relations
- Expert problem solving
- Analytical thinking
- Documentation management
- Quality assurance
- Management collaboration
- Advanced communication
- Root-cause analysis
- Supply management
- Resource allocation
- Team collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Technical troubleshooting
- Continuous improvement
Timeline
Creative Lead / R&D Sale
MPF
06.2024 - Current
GM, Director of R&D and Process Improvement
WG Provisions
06.2021 - 05.2022
Director of Operations and Culinary Innovations / Plant General Manager
WG Provisions
06.2021 - 05.2022
Director of Product Development and Culinary Innovation
Better Meat Co
02.2020 - 06.2021
Director of R&D
RR Brand Foods Inc.
05.2018 - 12.2018
Director of R&D
Eddy Packing Company Inc.
10.2015 - 05.2018
R&D Manager / Corporate Research Chef
Hardee's Food Systems (Corporate Office)
08.2007 - 10.2015
AOS - Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America