Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Publications
Timeline
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M. Michelle Reyes

Plainsboro,NJ

Summary

Experienced leader in consumer insights and product innovation with a strong track record of driving data-driven strategies to enhance customer engagement and shape brand positioning. Proven ability to lead global programs, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and synthesize complex data into actionable insights.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Sr. Manager, Sensory & Product Insights

Firmenich
07.2021 - Current
  • Led key consumer sensory & product testing initiatives for Firmenich Taste & Beyond to increase Win-Rate for large customer briefs
  • Translated consumer & market trends into actionable directions for developing & delivering innovative products across product categories
  • Trained external clients & internal employees in Firmenich technologies to expand business opportunities & better leverage organizational capabilities
  • Supervised and mentored a team of consumer scientists.

InnoTech Sweet Goods Manager

Firmenich
07.2017 - 06.2021
  • Established & lead a trained sensory panel to expand capabilities in the dairy alternative space
  • Conducted design of experiment studies to aid in the creation of a digital sugar reduction tool
  • Developed, coordinated, & lead customized technical application training for global innovation launches in the regions, including training on sugar reduction tools, sweetener & protein masking, & texturizing fibers
  • Represent Firmenich expertise to external clients by delivering innovation program portfolio presentations, pipeline presentations, & in regular customer interactions
  • Build technical partnerships with vendors, clients, & academic organizations to explore novel ingredients & processing capabilities
  • Monitor intellectual property landscape regularly for alternative proteins, sweeteners, & texturizing fibers as part of project & program planning.

Graduate Research Assistant

The Pennsylvania State University
08.2014 - 06.2017
  • Collaborated with Compusense to develop novel temporal methods, protocols, & statistical analysis techniques for use in natural & artificial sweeteners testing
  • Designed, analyzed, & interpreted consumer sensory studies to determine consumer attitudes toward sweeteners and flavored dairy products
  • Applied sensory & consumer data on sweeteners to the development of reduced sugar dairy products.

R&D Manager

YOR Health
04.2012 - 08.2014
  • Led company launch into the Australian market, collaborating with external agencies for successful product formulation
  • Audited and worked closely with contract manufacturers, suppliers, and third party laboratories.

Education

Ph.D. Food Science -

The Pennsylvania State University
08.2014 - 05.2017

M.S. Regulatory Science - undefined

University of Southern California

B.S. Nutritional Science & B.A. History - undefined

University of California, Berkeley

Publications

  • Evaluation of sweetener synergy in humans by isobole analyses, Reyes M. M., Gravina, S. A., & Hayes, J. E., Chemical senses, 44(8), 571-582, 2019
  • Characterizing Dynamic Sensory Properties of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners with Temporal Check-All-That-Apply, Reyes, M.M., Castura, J.C., & Hayes, J.E., Journal of sensory studies, 32 3, 2017

Timeline

Sr. Manager, Sensory & Product Insights

Firmenich
07.2021 - Current

InnoTech Sweet Goods Manager

Firmenich
07.2017 - 06.2021

Graduate Research Assistant

The Pennsylvania State University
08.2014 - 06.2017

Ph.D. Food Science -

The Pennsylvania State University
08.2014 - 05.2017

R&D Manager

YOR Health
04.2012 - 08.2014

M.S. Regulatory Science - undefined

University of Southern California

B.S. Nutritional Science & B.A. History - undefined

University of California, Berkeley

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M. Michelle Reyes