JENNIFER WURZER
Pinckney,MI
Summary
Accomplished leader in product development and technical sales, with a proven track record. Expert in scale-up and commercialization, blending innovation with cross-functional collaboration to drive market leadership. Skilled in ingredient sourcing and team development, achieving significant revenue growth and product excellence. Demonstrates adaptability and strategic project management, enhancing competitive market advantage.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Product Development/Technical Sales
Lyons Magnus
Fresno, CA
08.2023 - Current
- Lead foodservice team in the development and commercialization of new beverage syrups and sauces
- Work in pilot plant, kitchen, laboratory, and plant environments to develop, commercialize, or optimize products
- Apply sound culinary and scientific techniques to design products that incorporate attributes valued by consumers and customers.
- Manage and maintain accurate records related to formulations, manufacturing processes, and product specifications to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Ensure security and confidentiality of product formulas, intellectual property, and related information
- Establish professional relationships with fellow scientists, and team members of our customers and suppliers.
- Partner with commercial team to build customer presentations, ensuring trend and business objective alignment
- Utilize sensory panels in product development and improvement, shelf-life studies, and competitive testing
- Research, qualify, and approve new raw materials for cost optimization and resiliency
- Build partnerships to leverage technical expertise of ingredient suppliers to resolve challenges and drive product innovation
- Travel to manufacturing sites to oversee plant trials and commercialization of critical products
- Update internal departments with project details, timelines, and customer requirements
Senior R&D Food Scientist
Lyons Magnus
Fresno, CA
10.2021 - 07.2023
- Led custom formulation development and optimization projects that align with company's business strategy
- Commercialized aseptic and hot-fill products, ensuring adherence to regulatory compliance, S.O.P. and specifications
- Provided technical leadership focusing on food safety, stabilization, flavoring, processing, and packaging
- Designed, planned, and executed experiments in the laboratory or plant setting and prepared results for review
- Efficiently and effectively manage multiple priorities, projects, and timelines concurrently
- Communicated project progress to R&D VP, cross-functional partners, suppliers, and customers
- Collaborated with suppliers and industry experts to identify opportunities for improving quality and reducing costs
- Responded to incoming field/manufacturing/customer questions with detailed technical research-based data
- Conducted trials and shelf-life testing of products as well as developed finished products and processing specifications
- Maintained accurate, complete records and reported findings via technical documents, presentations, and S.O.P
- Proficiently used analytical equipment including pH meter, Brookfield viscometer, water activity, and titration (salt and acid)
R&D Director, Wet Ingredients
Dawn Foods
Jackson, MI
04.2019 - 05.2021
- Led a team of 9 food scientists in the development of new products and product improvements
- Managed the strategic development process cross-functionally to set priorities and drive projects forward
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Delivered innovative ideas for the development of new products for use domestically and internationally
- Formulated new products from benchtop through commercialization and led ideation sessions for new products
- Supported commissioning of new equipment through trials and validations and development of specifications
- Conducted new product evaluations for quality, costs, ease of use while maintaining food safety standards
- Led project teams to expand Dawn capabilities and drive market innovation to grow market share
- Developed relationships with ingredient suppliers to expand knowledge and awareness of new technologies
- Designed and executed lab and plant-level experiments, tracked results, analyzed data, and prepared reports
Senior Director, National Technical Sales
Dawn Foods
Jackson, MI
01.2015 - 03.2019
- Collaborated with key account sales teams to provide the right expertise to address customer needs
- Developed strategic plans with regional leadership team to drive growth with key customers and prospects
- Utilized CRM systems and forecasting tools for efficient account management and reporting
- Maximized Dawn's overall sales potential in the territory including IL, MN, WI, MI, OH, KY, IN, Western PA, and VA
- Managed a team of 10 technical sales reps (professional bakers) in providing customer presentations
- Held direct account responsibility for key accounts including MJay's Specialty Baked Goods, Sheila G's, and UDF
- Assisted customers with developing and implementing new products and ideas using Dawn products as the foundation
- Won new business of $1.1 MM and $1.5 MM with Wesco and UDF through co-development of new products.
- Demonstrated new products and provided technical support at customer's manufacturing facilities
Regional Technical Sales Manager/B2B Sales
Dawn Foods
Jackson, MI
12.2012 - 12.2014
- Developed a $50M sales territory in MI, OH, KY, IN, PA, and VA with customers such as Meijer and SpartanNash
- Built a portfolio of customers to exceed sales and margin targets while providing on-site consultation and expertise
- Cultivate relationships with customers to ensure satisfaction and awareness of new product offerings
- Maintained profitable sales through prospecting leads, penetrating existing accounts, and minimizing lost business
- Managed 4 technical sales representatives to present products and services to customers to meet their needs
- Developed and maintained relationships with baking industry customers and decision maker across territory
- Identified and pursued new business leads to expand customer base
- Calculated margins, negotiated terms, and prepared estimates and bids using pricing models to meet customer needs
- Built strong relationships with Dawn-owned Distribution and partners to grow sales
Senior Business Manager, Marketing
Dawn Foods
Jackson, MI
10.2011 - 11.2012
Business Manager, Marketing
Dawn Foods
Jackson, MI
06.2005 - 09.2011
Market Development Manager, Marketing
Dawn Foods
Denver, CO
01.2002 - 01.2005
Product Manager, Dry Ingredients
Dawn Foods
Denver, CO
01.1999 - 01.2002
Food Scientist
Dawn Foods
Denver, CO
01.1997 - 01.1999
Product Development
Lyons Magnus
Fresno, CA
01.1995 - 01.1997
Education
Bachelor of Science - Food Science
University of California Polytechnic
San Luis ObispoSkills
- Product Development and Improvement
- Scale-Up & Commercialization
- Ingredient Sourcing and Evaluation
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Adaptability in Dynamic Environments
- Technical Leadership & Team Development
- Innovation & Problem Solving
- Project Management
- TraceGains & Genesis Software
- Excellent Verbal & Written Communication
- Data-driven decision-making
- Salesforce
Continuing Education
- Better Process School, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
- Coffee, Tea and Creamers: The Science and Art of Milk in Beverages, Chapman University, Orange, CA
Affiliations
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Member
Websites
Timeline
Director of Product Development/Technical Sales
Lyons Magnus
08.2023 - Current
Senior R&D Food Scientist
Lyons Magnus
10.2021 - 07.2023
R&D Director, Wet Ingredients
Dawn Foods
04.2019 - 05.2021
Senior Director, National Technical Sales
Dawn Foods
01.2015 - 03.2019
Regional Technical Sales Manager/B2B Sales
Dawn Foods
12.2012 - 12.2014
Senior Business Manager, Marketing
Dawn Foods
10.2011 - 11.2012
Business Manager, Marketing
Dawn Foods
06.2005 - 09.2011
Market Development Manager, Marketing
Dawn Foods
01.2002 - 01.2005
Product Manager, Dry Ingredients
Dawn Foods
01.1999 - 01.2002
Food Scientist
Dawn Foods
01.1997 - 01.1999
Product Development
Lyons Magnus
01.1995 - 01.1997
Bachelor of Science - Food Science
University of California Polytechnic
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