Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Julian John Simpson

Peterlee,KSA

Summary

A seasoned professional with over 25 years of international expertise in the food industry across Saudi Arabia and the UK, specialising in brand enhancement, business development, and quality management. Demonstrates proven success in developing and implementing innovative products across diverse food sectors while maintaining high-quality standards. Skilled in driving projects and leading product development initiatives. Collaborates effectively with senior management, marketing teams, manufacturing units, and external suppliers to achieve strategic objectives. Possesses advanced IT proficiency, including Excel and database software such as Hamilton Grant for nutritional information management. Experienced in designing and implementing high-quality management systems with a strong ability to mentor and lead teams towards excellence.


Overview

35
35
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Group Quality Assurance Manager

Almarai Company
Riyadh
06.2017 - 03.2025
  • Developed comprehensive quality control procedures, ensuring optimal product manufacture.
  • Streamlined operational processes to enhance productivity without compromising on quality.
  • Facilitated collaborative working environment, improving communication between team members and departments.
  • Reviewed production processes, identifying areas for improvement.
  • Collaborated with other department heads, improving overall company operations and efficiency.
  • Led team training sessions for improved performance and understanding of quality standards and nutrition. Trained and supported the compliance of Hamilton Grant
  • Mitigated potential risks by carrying out thorough risk assessments regularly. Optimised use of resources for cost-effective operations whilst maintaining high-quality output. Nutrition, Sensory, and AIM (Almarai Innovation Gate process) roles reported to me.

Senior Development Manager, Dairy Innovation/Renovation

Almarai Company
Riyadh
01.2009 - 05.2017
  • Liaising with suppliers to receive high quality ingredients.
  • Successfully guiding new developments from concept through to launch.
  • Developing ideas, leading the manufacturing team with factory trials and on to launch.
  • Promoted knowledge sharing initiatives that boosted collective understanding within the organisation.
  • Oversaw the successful delivery of key projects, ensuring adherence to established timelines and budgets.
  • Working closely with other teams within the business to ensure successful product launches.
  • Fostered a highly collaborative team environment to optimise project outcomes.

Senior Product Development Technologist

Cranswick Convenience Foods
07.2007 - 11.2008
  • Company Overview: Cranswick Convenience Foods develops and supplies all major retailers with cooked, jointed, and sliced, pre-packed pork products.
  • Managing a small team, assigning them tasks, and motivating them to meet deadlines.
  • Established the development requirements of the retailer. Adhering to gateway strategies of development.
  • Successfully guiding new developments from concept through to launch.
  • Developing ideas, leading the manufacturing team with factory trials, and on to launch.

Senior Applications Development Technologist

Kerry Sweet Ingredients
09.2004 - 06.2007
  • Company Overview: Kerry Sweet Ingredients produced inclusions which were aimed at dairy, bakery, confectionery and retail sectors.
  • Pre trial productions on all new inclusions.
  • Shelflife testing of inclusions.
  • Control, problem solve and manage any processing issues.
  • Creation of food scenarios using developed and existing inclusions.
  • Presenting inclusion applications to customers.
  • Successfully designed, produced and implemented a development database which controlled suppliers, ingredients, projects, recipes and process improvements.
  • Successfully developed inclusions for major brands within the dairy and confectionery sector.
  • Launched and re-adjusted breakfast cereal clusters, improving shelf life and manufacturing capabilities.

Process Development Technologist

Westler Foods Ltd.
06.2003 - 08.2004
  • Company Overview: Westler Foods produces canned, pouched, and vacuum-packed meat products and sauces for both foodservice and retail.
  • Controlled the development of all meat products from concept through to launch.
  • Responsible for Heat Distribution Analysis on retorts and ovens.
  • Controlled Process Improvements.
  • HACCP Coordinator.
  • Successfully launched five new product developments within a month to prove Westler's capabilities and adaptability within development for foodservice.

Quality Manager

Burger and Sausage Manufacturer
Whitworth, Lancashire
01.1999 - 05.2003
  • Company Overview: Showman Foods produced Burgers and Sausages for foodservice requirements.
  • To implement and continuously improve all procedures.
  • Control buying, auditing, and stock rotation of ingredients and packaging.
  • Improving efficiencies in production.
  • Handling non-conformance complaints with suppliers and quality complaints with customers. Design and implementation of all HACCP, nutritional, and quality procedures.
  • Increased turnover by £250,000 in year two, by improving supplier raw materials standards and product consistency. Through in-house training and leadership.

Supply Controller

British Army-Royal Logistics Corps
, Norfolk
01.1990 - 01.1994
  • Trained supply controller of class 1.
  • Handling classified (confidential and secret) material.

Education

BSc (Hons) 2:2 - Food Industry Management

University of Salford
Manchester
01.1997 - 01.1999

HND - Food Industry Management

University of Salford
Manchester
01.1995 - 01.1997

Skills

  • Over 25 years of international experience and expertise in enhancing brands, creating new business opportunities, and working to maintain quality objectives within the food industry in Saudi Arabia and the UK
  • Proven success in developing and implementing innovative and renovated products throughout many different food sectors
  • Ability to identify new opportunities, implement, and drive new projects and product development
  • Collaborate well with senior management, marketing, and manufacturing
  • An excellent working relationship with outside suppliers
  • The ability to mentor and lead others
  • A self-motivated, high-skilled professional with a strong background in Information Technology, including Excel and Database Software, including Nutritional Information programmes, eg, Hamilton Grant
  • Within previous positions, I have designed and implemented high-quality management systems

Certification

  • Juran Global, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, 2017
  • AsureQuality Academy, Advanced HACCP Certificate. 2016
  • Royal Society of Health, Diploma in Food Hygiene Management 1999
  • Passed driving licence of HGV 2 standard (Currently Clean) 1990

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Group Quality Assurance Manager

Almarai Company
06.2017 - 03.2025

Senior Development Manager, Dairy Innovation/Renovation

Almarai Company
01.2009 - 05.2017

Senior Product Development Technologist

Cranswick Convenience Foods
07.2007 - 11.2008

Senior Applications Development Technologist

Kerry Sweet Ingredients
09.2004 - 06.2007

Process Development Technologist

Westler Foods Ltd.
06.2003 - 08.2004

Quality Manager

Burger and Sausage Manufacturer
01.1999 - 05.2003

BSc (Hons) 2:2 - Food Industry Management

University of Salford
01.1997 - 01.1999

HND - Food Industry Management

University of Salford
01.1995 - 01.1997

Supply Controller

British Army-Royal Logistics Corps
01.1990 - 01.1994

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Julian John Simpson