Global Project & Program Manager Innovation – Interim at Unilever, Rotterdam
January 2020 — Present

Managing several high-profile global sustainable packaging programs. Project manager for Innovation and Portfolio Transformation projects at Unilever Foods & Refreshments. Waterfall, Agile and hybrid ways of working.

Owner  at SZ Innovation Management, Utrecht
January 2020 — Present

SZ Innovation Management provides support to businesses in the Food and Beverage industry with R&D, Innovation Strategy and Project Management. Specialising in NPD, blue sky innovation, sustainable packaging programmes and management of high performing multidisciplinary teams.

Head of Innovation at Nichols Plc (Vimto), Manchester, United Kingdom
January 2016 — August 2019

Nichols plc is an international beverage business operating in over 85 countries, selling premium A-brands across various categories. Revenue £147m (Group revenue, 2019).

Member of the leadership team. Setting up an Innovation team, including recruitment and talent assessment. Identifying future opportunities to build and manage the global Innovation strategy, as well as securing it’s short-mid term execution in the UK and International markets. Leading the Innovation team across head office and UK manufacturing sites, including all R&D activities.

Team development, portfolio management, breakthrough innovation, product and portfolio renovation, experience with business development tools.

Technical Project Leader R&D at Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Manchester, United Kingdom
October 2015 — January 2016

Heading up the R&D workstream of a major European brand repositioning project. Key user in a global business integration project, designing the roadmap for new ways of working.

R&D Project Leader  at Orangina Schweppes Intl, Amsterdam
January 2012 — October 2015

Managing multidisciplinary projects to ensure successful NPDs and complex product renovations, across the European, Russian and North American market. Responsible for an expert team, consisting of product developers and sensory specialists. Team work, project management, creativity and problem solving are key in this position.

R&D Officer at Orangina Schweppes Intl, Amsterdam
December 2009 — January 2012

Managing product launches in new and existing markets. Advisor on international food regulations. Member of the Dutch trade association (FWS) working group Sweeteners.

Internships, Mars Foods Europe and P&G Pet Care

August 2008 — November 2009

At Mars Foods Europe: Analysis of full ingredient portfolio to update and optimise the Food Material Risk Assessment.

At P&G Pet Care: Design and implement a HACCP system which resulted in the first HACCP certificate for P&G Pet Care worldwide.

Master Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research,

September 2006 — June 2009

Specialisation Nutrition in Health and Disease, Minor in Sport Psychology and Movement Sciences.

Master thesis: Dietary iron bioavailability among 6-12 year old Ecuadorian children in Guayamá community. Train and guide a class of Ecuadorian BSc students on the execution part of the study.

Bachelor Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research,

September 2003 — August 2006

Specialisation Physiology.

Bachelor thesis: Acute mountain sickness and the occurrence of high-altitude cerebral oedema: the risk of high altitudes.

VWO, Sintermeerten College, Heerlen

September 1997 — July 2003

Pre-University Diploma, equivalent to Grammar School. Specialisation Biology & Science.