Thean Hai Ying
Summary
Experienced Senior PPD Technologist with over five years of experience in chocolate confectionery industry. Excellent reputation for resolving problems and improving customer satisfaction. Collaborated closely with key account customers to support on new product launch in timely manner. Recognized by the company for commercializing several new products yearly generating optimal contribution margin, in addition to strengthening customer relationship and creating new business opportunities.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Product & Process Development Technologist
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate
2024.06 - Current
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative food products that met consumer needs and market trends.
- Collaborated with sales and to provide pre-sales technical support during client presentations, contributing toward new business opportunities.
- Partnered with marketing teams to support new product launches, providing technical expertise on product attributes and unique selling points.
- Mentored junior team members to enhance their technical skills and improve overall team productivity.
- Resolved customer complaints by identifying root causes of product issues and implementing corrective actions promptly.
- Coordinated inventory supplies and equipment to maximize team productivity.
- Reduced downtime for production through logical and timely troubleshooting.
- Conducted comprehensive system analysis to identify areas for improvement, leading to more streamlined operations and reduced costs.
- Managed continuous improvement projects from conception to completion, ensuring on-time delivery within budget constraints.
- Proactively identified opportunities for process improvements which led to substantial time savings within the organization.
- Streamlined workflow efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and improving overall processes.
- Managed the day-to-day operations of the chocolate manufacturing pilot plant, ensuring the production process runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Oversaw the development and implementation of pilot-scale manufacturing processes for chocolate and compound products.
- Led a team of four including technicians and operators, providing guidance, training, and support to ensure production goals and project timeline were met.
- Monitored and maintained pilot plant machinery and lab equipment to ensure optimal performance and adherence to food safety and EHS standards.
Product & Process Development Technologist
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate
2023.06 - 2024.05
- Provided technical knowledge to project teams and functions and offered technical guidance and scientific insight for new product and process improvements.
- Ensured projects proceed according to plan and results were documented and communicated with other stakeholders.
- Performed evaluations of external processes, manufacturing technologies or facilities.
- Identified and addressed new process or product opportunities that created distinct value and enabled business growth.
- Provided technical support to customers by maintaining relationship with customers, responding to opportunities, provided product recommendations and develop formulations for the purposes of customer product approval.
- Actively coached and mentored team members to drive project approval and commercialization.
- Established project monitoring list to support project management review and reported monthly departmental activity dashboard to higher level management group.
- Improved overall R&D operations by standardizing reporting methods and data management systems.
- Acted as interim manager during manager's hospitalization leave, overseeing team operations and providing leadership and guidance.
Technical Services Specialist
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate
2022.10 - 2023.05
- Responsible for key account projects and successfully commercialized products.
- Converted developed formulas into production formulas to prepare for manufacturing facilities.
- Involved in raw material synergy project by matching existing cocoa ingredient with Cargill's cocoa ingredients.
- Provided technical support to sales and customer to create business opportunities.
- Provided technical guidance to production and quality department during product up-scaling.
- Tested new, alternative raw materials through analysis, sourcing and trials.
- Preparation of ISO documents for customer approved prototype.
- Facilitated cost reduction through product improvements.
- Traveled to customer locations to analyze technical challenges, create dynamic strategies and rapidly implement troubleshooting solutions.
- Provided exceptional product knowledge, leading to increased trust from customers and create more business opportunities.
Senior Product Development Executive
Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd
2022.01 - 2022.09
- Established a strong track record of successful product releases by creating comprehensive project plans and effectively managing resources.
- Managed weekly project monitoring update for all on-going projects.
- Built strong relationships with key stakeholders across departments, fostering collaboration toward shared project goals.
- Led effective product development meetings to ensure clear communication of goals, milestones, and progress.
- Troubleshot production related issues to ensure positive released of finished products.
- Tested new, alternative raw materials through analysis, sourcing and trials.
- Mentored junior team members in best practices surrounding Product Development Executive roles.
- Ensured regulatory compliance throughout the entire product lifecycle by staying informed on industry standards and legal requirements.
- Operated and maintained pilot plant machines (roll refiners & conch) and laboratory equipment to produce prototype.
Product Development Executive
Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd
2019.08 - 2021.12
- Developed new product concept and introduced to sales to expand new business opportunities.
- Developed innovative products by collaborating with cross-functional teams and conducting thorough market research.
- Launched successful products by identifying customer needs and translating them into product features.
- Conducted post-launch evaluations to assess the success of each product release, identifying areas for improvement where necessary.
- Conducted process related research to minimize the gap between R&D and Production.
- Prepared existing portfolio chocolate and compound samples for existing or new potential customer. Including tempering, piping and moulding of chocolate samples.
- Established inventory monitoring log sheet to manage the stock in sample storeroom.
- Conducted bi-monthly stock take for the department warehouse, ensure the inventory status was up to date.
Quality Assurance Intern
Yeo Hiap Seng (M) Berhad
2019.01 - 2019.05
- Ensured that food hygiene and food safety guidelines were followed strictly by the establishment.
- Conducted physio-chemical and microbiological analysis on raw materials, intermediate and finished products from each production line accurately as daily routine.
- Assisted QA manager to resolve quality issue of canned soybean beverages during commercial run effectively within timeline given.
- Observed internal audit practices and ensure the manufacturing complied with HACCP manual, assisted in issuing Corrective Action Report (CAR) to department that failed to comply standards.
- Attended training on Environmental Hygiene Monitoring organized by 3M Company proven with certificate of attendance.
Junior Baker Intern
Multiple Rewards Sdn Bhd
2018.01 - 2018.03
- Operated and maintained bakery equipment, including mixers, proofers and ovens.
- Maintained a safe work environment by strictly adhering to sanitation guidelines and addressing potential hazards promptly.
- Increased production efficiency through effective time management and multitasking during busy periods.
- Facilitated communication among team members to ensure smooth operations during peak hours.
- Ensured product freshness by implementing proper storage techniques and regularly rotating stock.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Culinology
Taylor's University
Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia04.2019
Skills
- Project Management
- Product Development
- Process Optimization
- Leadership and Team Management
- Problem Solving
- Sensory Analysis
- Chocolate Processing
- Raw Material Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Customer Technical Support
- Microsoft Dynamics AX
Accomplishments
- Launched new seasonal ice cream product with MNC customer each year, with an average contribution margin of 750,000 USD per annum.
- Successfully integrated Cargill cocoa ingredients as the primary cocoa supplier.
- Conducted joint production trial with bakery customer in Bangladesh and successfully commercialized bake-stable filling with annual volume of 240MT/year.
- Conducted in-house shelf-life testing of commercialized products, including physicochemical analysis and microbiological analysis.
- Established project monitoring layout to support project management review and reported monthly departmental activity dashboard to higher level management group.
- Troubleshot internal quality issue, such as improved the white chocolate mouthfeel by adjusting the process parameters, to meet customer’s requirement.
- Collaboratively worked together with ice cream manufacturing customer to troubleshoot ice cream coating granules issues, proposed process improvement solution by introducing high shear set up in line.
- Organized production coordination meeting involving various stakeholders to pre-discuss new/revised formulation.
- Set up the procedure of new pilot plant equipment such as 3-roll refiner to produce lab scale prototype.
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Chinese (Mandarin)
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Malay
Upper intermediate (B2)
Timeline
Senior Product & Process Development Technologist
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate
2024.06 - Current
Product & Process Development Technologist
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate
2023.06 - 2024.05
Technical Services Specialist
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate
2022.10 - 2023.05
Senior Product Development Executive
Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd
2022.01 - 2022.09
Product Development Executive
Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd
2019.08 - 2021.12
Quality Assurance Intern
Yeo Hiap Seng (M) Berhad
2019.01 - 2019.05
Junior Baker Intern
Multiple Rewards Sdn Bhd
2018.01 - 2018.03
Bachelor of Science - Culinology
Taylor's University
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