Gordana Mandic
Trophy Club,TX
Summary
Experienced scientist with a strong background in research and analysis. Proficient in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation across various scientific disciplines. Demonstrated ability to contribute to impactful research projects and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Scientist
KEURIG DR PEPPER
Dallas, TX
09.2021 - Current
- Support projects that impact ingredients, such as new supplier requirement updates, cost savings initiatives, supply issues, or production challenges.
- Managing the complete approval process of bringing new suppliers for already existing materials.
- Support and work effectively with R&D (Product Development, Regulatory) and with broader external R&D partners (Supply Chain, Quality, and Procurement) to update ingredient information in an electronic database system and meet project timelines
- Provided technical support to other scientists within the organization as needed.
- Developed test strategies to evaluate product performance under various conditions.
- Work together effectively with Product Development and other functions of R&D, such as Sensory, Regulatory, Flavor Technology, Chemistry, and Microbiology.
- Executed experiments according to established protocols with a high degree of accuracy and precision.
- Maintained accurate records of all experimental data and results.
Document Management Specialist
ILLES SEASONINGS AND FLAVORS
Carrollton, TX
11.2020 - 10.2021
- Ingredients documentation request and updating in internal software systems (TraceGains)
- Review and ensure that raw material documentation (Product Specification, Nutritional Information, Allergen Statement, GMO, Kosher, Halal, BE Statement, 3rd Party Audit and HACCP documents, etc.) Are accurate and up to date.
- Create, update, and review all finished product's technical documentation to accurately reflect changes in product or process, including Product Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, Nutritional Statement, Kosher Certificates, Allergen Statements, and others.
- Work closely with R&D, FSQA, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Sales departments to assist and manage the various types of supporting documentation required for raw materials and in the commercialization of finished products.
- Assist senior scientists in the product development process from project initiation/assignment, through bench-top experiments, developing prototypes for product tasting, production runs, and commercialization.
- Created and maintained document control systems for tracking, organizing, storing, and retrieving documents.
- Manage raw material and formula workflow launches and routes with the aim to satisfy all customer requirements.
- Create new formula, sub-formula, and semi-finished formula in the company specification system.
Consultant - Advisor
FINS - Institute of Food Technology
Novi Sad, Serbia
09.2016 - 03.2017
- As a part of the research team, I provided expertise and applied knowledge for the duration of the R&D project.
- Duties included: Initial discussions for project identification, development of project phases and execution plan, writing reports, and communication structure.
- Conducted research and analysis of market trends, customer behaviors, and competitive landscape.
- Analyzed complex information from multiple sources to identify patterns or trends that could be used as a basis for decision-making.
- Provided advice on operational processes, business development initiatives, organizational changes and other areas of improvement.
FS/QA Laboratory Analyst
ILLES SEASONINGS AND FLAVORS
Carrollton, TX
01.2016 - 09.2016
- Sensory testing of incoming ingredients, final products, and environmental sanitation conditions in the industrial environment.
- Maintain raw material and product inventories in lab, refrigerated/frozen storage.
- Perform physical and chemical analysis od final product (Viscosity, Salt, pH, Titratable Acidity, Water activity- Aw, Moisture content, Color, Density)
- Perform shelf life study on final products.
- Preparing quality control reports.
- Analyzed samples using various analytical techniques, including chromatography, spectroscopy and microscopy.
Food Scientist (Contractor Assignment)
INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS AND FRAGRANCES
Carrollton, TX
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Designing and managing an independent ingredient research project in order to evaluate internal and external raw materials, to improve sensory quality of existing products while reducing manufacturing costs, and to achieve a better position in the food marketplace.
- Communication to project executives was constant and effective in the form of reports and presentations.
- Conduct internal product review (preparing and conducting employee acceptance tests)
- Conduct consumer affective tests (preparing samples and questionnaires for consumer studies)
- Conduct reverse engineering (matching) through laboratory testing and analysis.
- Performed research on food products, including nutritional value, shelf life, and flavor profiles.
Assistant Professor
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD, Faculty of Technology
Novi Sad, Serbia
10.2010 - 01.2014
- Performed duties as an assistant professor while working on my PhD research and studies.
- Lecturing on two engineering courses for undergraduate students in the Department of Food Technology Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
- Leading lab courses about the practical application of theoretical knowledge in a simulated working environment.
- Mentoring the undergraduate students.
- Mentoring a students during lab and pilot plant work within Bachelor and Master thesis (design of the lab experiments for their thesis)
- Coauthor of the Manual (in Serbian language): Lević, Lj., Kuljanin, T., Koprivica, G., Mišljenović, N
- 2010
- Design of Technological Process - technological and chemical calculations, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technology, ISBN 978-86-80995-79-3.
Research Scientist
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD, Faculty of Technology
Novi Sad, Serbia
02.2008 - 01.2014
- Collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders to create innovative food products for the domestic market
- Devised two original strategies to tackle the economic and environmental implications of excessive residual diluted molasses generated during osmotic dehydration of fruits and vegetables: implementation of bioethanol production and utilization in producing wheat feed pellets.
- Involved in designing of pilot plant for osmotic dehydration of food, which was a direct result of years of scientific research in the field of osmotic dehydration principles.
- Participated in many international and domestic scientific symposiums, presenting the results of the project's R&D process.
- Published scientific papers in international and domestic scientific journals.
Education
PhD in Technology Engineering (Major in Food Technology and Biotechnology) -
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD
Serbia09.2013
Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology (major in Food Preservation Technology) -
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD
Serbia10.2007
Skills
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio), Product Vision, ROSS Aptean, TraceGains, ReposiTrak, FoodLogiQ and Optiva
- Seasoning and flavor application
- Laboratory analysis (Salt, Titratable Acid, Aw- Water Activity, Brix, Viscosity, Color, Texture)
- Research
- Research management
- Lab experiments
- Electronic lab notebook documentation
- Application of scientific principles
- Standard operating procedure development
- Safety processes and procedures
Languages
English
Full Professional
Serbian/Croatian
Native/ Bilingual
Accomplishments
- 1998. - Gold medal in National Junior Volleyball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1998., 1999. and 2000. – Gold medals in National Senior Volleyball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Associate Scientist
KEURIG DR PEPPER
09.2021 - Current
Document Management Specialist
ILLES SEASONINGS AND FLAVORS
11.2020 - 10.2021
Consultant - Advisor
FINS - Institute of Food Technology
09.2016 - 03.2017
FS/QA Laboratory Analyst
ILLES SEASONINGS AND FLAVORS
01.2016 - 09.2016
Food Scientist (Contractor Assignment)
INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS AND FRAGRANCES
01.2015 - 12.2015
Assistant Professor
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD, Faculty of Technology
10.2010 - 01.2014
Research Scientist
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD, Faculty of Technology
02.2008 - 01.2014
PhD in Technology Engineering (Major in Food Technology and Biotechnology) -
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD
Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology (major in Food Preservation Technology) -
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD
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