Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
Timeline
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Robert Murdock

Ilkeston,UK

Summary

Well rounded professional in the food industry with a broad range of knowledge and ability, supported by a PhD in novel food product development. Currently specialising in project management with a technical focus. Proficiency in the majority of specification platforms. Familiar with the compliance requirements of most major retailers. Committed to advancing food quality standards and ensuring legal compliance within the industry.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Specifications & Compliance Technologist

mpo Global Trade
Burton on Trent, Staffordshire
2023.12 - 2026.04
  • Project managed a high-profile launch of 12 products with a multi-million-pound value to the company into Morrisons retail from initial concept to delivery. This was a new retailer for the company, requiring a high degree of due diligence to ensure a smooth launch.
  • Conducted solo technical and compliance audits of suppliers and service providers to ensure adherence to quality and safety standards.
  • Acted as the sole technical representative for a period of 6 months at the start of employment.
  • Compiled and refined a comprehensive legal labelling checklist, covering over 200 specific regulatory requirements.
  • Reviewed and verified legality of labels and artwork for products of animal origin imported from diverse regions, focusing on regulatory compliance and accuracy in presentation.
  • Supported the NPD / EPD process to ensure that all proposed products and suppliers align with customer codes of practice.
  • Created and updated detailed specifications and compliance documents for a diverse range of products across Farmfoods, Iceland, Aldi, and Morrisons, as well as large-scale food service / B2B operations like Whitbread & Pilgrims food group.
  • Developed and enforced a new organoleptic and laboratory testing regimen to maintain strict quality control of stock including management of life extensions.
  • Handling complaints & customer requests which are often complex and highly variable.
  • Acted as the UK customer facing technical representative for a major well-known branded product.
  • Worked with the technical manager to develop and enforce a major overhaul to the internal quality management systems ultimately securing an improvement to the IFS grading as a result.
  • Collaborated with members of NPD, supply chain and sales teams to optimise internal processes, enhancing long-term technical functionality of the business.

Development Consultant

Various clients
Ilkeston, UK
2022.10 - 2026.04
  • Led multiple confidential development projects across food, drink, confectionery, and supplement sectors. Engaged with clients to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions. Facilitated successful project outcomes that exceeded client expectations and secured progression to next phase.

Specifications Technologist

Freshcut Foods
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
2022.09 - 2023.12
  • Worked as part of the specifications team supporting large B2B customers, retail and food service using their bespoke systems including Orbcpod, NTAssure/Smart Supplier, Arcus, Hamilton Grant, Foods Connected, Sassi, Arcus, Authenticate & ETQ.
  • Trusted with technical decision making and problem solving in the absence of more senior staff at weekends above and beyond the typical scope of this role.
  • Handled all aspects of technical work including risk assessments, customer complaints, testing procedures, management of laboratory results, customer KPI's, raw material approvals, supplier approvals, management of certifications and ethical standards.
  • Gathered scattered information to build a comprehensive defect sheet which reduced company losses and customer rejections by providing information on standard vegetable defects to customers up front during the development phase.
  • Optimised the NPD process by developing a comprehensive pack of standard customer requirements, ensuring product development aligned with those requirements from the initial kitchen sample.
  • Prepared documentation for external auditors (customers and BRC) and successfully presented the specifications section of the audits.
  • Food Safety level 3 course (Distinction – 02/11/22)
  • HACCP level 3 (16/11/22)
  • COSHH trained

Technical Assistant

Freshcut Foods
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
2021.06 - 2022.09
  • Enhanced technical documentation and updated staff briefings to elevate productivity and ensure adherence to factory procedures.
  • Trained new hires in quality control and supervised the QA team in the absence of management.
  • Ensuring quality standards for a diverse range of bespoke vegetable products are adhered to.
  • Technical analysis and documentation to ensure CCP’s are in working order.
  • Worked with the NPD and Process departments covering factory trials and the development of associated documentation such as customer quality standards and internal specifications.
  • Gained several work based qualifications: HACCP level 2, Internal auditing, Diversity in the workplace.

Research & Development

Bingham and Jones
Preston, Lancashire
2021.04 - 2021.06
  • Produced the primary product specifications for the Crackd vegan egg product which was used by all major retailers including Tesco and M&S.
  • Gathered and organised nutrition, safety and commercial data required by new customers of the brand.
  • Worked with multi-national B2B customers to achieve their production goals through further understanding of the process requirements of Crackd.
  • Executed extensive testing of over 100 iterations of the recipe to perfect an improved formulation due to expanding requirements of the customer base.

Food Product Developer

Monkfield Nutrition
Ely
2019.11 - 2020.08
  • Formulated insect-based food products incorporating nutritional analysis, flavour optimisation, and market trends to achieve compliance with commercial standards.
  • Completed all associated paperwork including legal, technical, quality specifications & process flow for production including HACCP.
  • Successfully negotiated the manufacture of one of these products with a major UK retailer and arranged the supply chain of complex products.
  • Presented the case for capital expenditure as a means to produce the products in house at a reasonable cost while minimising necessary labour expenses.

Trend Advisor

Bingham and Jones
Preston, Lancashire
2017.01 - 2020.05
  • Performed food trend research and analysis to inform client strategies and enhance market positioning.
  • Compiled comprehensive food trend reports, detailing insights on seasonal flavours, dietary shifts, and industry innovations.
  • Utilised technical expertise to develop detailed responses for client queries, ensuring accurate and timely information delivery.

R&D Project Leader

Bingham and Jones
Sutton Bonington
2015.10 - 2017.12
  • Researched and formulated high-quality products from sustainable ingredients, utilising advanced techniques in product development.
  • Authored numerous technical and opinionated articles that advanced business development initiatives.
  • Conducted comprehensive trend analysis for large food manufacturer to identify market opportunities and inform strategic decision-making.
  • Designed a taught course focussing on translating research into practical applications.

Science Writer

New Food Innovation
Sutton Bonington
2014.04 - 2015.12
  • Researched and analysed literature on waste valorisation, liquorice phytochemicals, and novel flavour ingredient development, utilising analytical skills to identify emerging trends and applications in food science.
  • Designed innovation prompts focussing on corporate social responsibility, frozen food, waste and social media use.

Food Science assistant

Bingham and Jones
Sutton Bonington
2014.07 - 2015.09
  • Employed advanced nutritional estimation software to streamline product optimisation for prominent brands and retailers, effectively aligning ingredient choices with health and nutrition claims. Ultimately providing significant cost savings over current lines.
  • Developed databases for product comparison and market research.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver successful product development contracts for leading brands and retailers, ensuring alignment with client objectives and market demands.
  • Executed sensory trials on a new salt replacement ingredient to assess its potential for enhancing culinary applications.
  • Analysed consumer trends and competitor landscape while performing feasibility study for potential new insect protein brand, identifying critical factors influencing market entry.

Chef

Various
2008.01 - 2012.09
  • Varying periods of high-quality culinary work at restaurants such as The Freemasons Arms, Northcote Manor, Simpsons, Cliveden House and Swinton Park.

Education

PhD - Food Science and Nutritional Sciences

University of Nottingham
Nottingham
2016.01 - 2023.01

BSc (Hons) - Food Science

University of Nottingham
Nottingham
2012.01 - 2016.01

Skills

  • PhD in product development
  • Project management
  • Nutrition expertise
  • Specifications
  • Retailer compliance
  • Trend analysis
  • Market and competitor analysis

Certification

  • Level 3 HACCP
  • Level 2 TACCP/VACCP
  • Level 3 Food safety
  • Legal labelling compliance
  • Level 3 Effective auditing
  • NVQ Level 2 Professional Cookery
  • Smeta 7.0 trained
  • Poultry Welfare Officer
  • Kerry Prize for Product Development
  • Intermediate level Sensory Evaluation
  • COSHH
  • Food Allergens certification
  • Multiple certifications related to sustainability

Affiliations

  • • I am a keen cook and really enjoy eating out, in particular; trying new foods or new methods of preparation that can act as a continuous source of inspiration. I have a growing food library that acts as a constant source of inspiration.
  • I am also an avid gamer and tabletop role-player in my free time.

Timeline

Specifications & Compliance Technologist

mpo Global Trade
2023.12 - 2026.04

Development Consultant

Various clients
2022.10 - 2026.04

Specifications Technologist

Freshcut Foods
2022.09 - 2023.12

Technical Assistant

Freshcut Foods
2021.06 - 2022.09

Research & Development

Bingham and Jones
2021.04 - 2021.06

Food Product Developer

Monkfield Nutrition
2019.11 - 2020.08

Trend Advisor

Bingham and Jones
2017.01 - 2020.05

PhD - Food Science and Nutritional Sciences

University of Nottingham
2016.01 - 2023.01

R&D Project Leader

Bingham and Jones
2015.10 - 2017.12

Food Science assistant

Bingham and Jones
2014.07 - 2015.09

Science Writer

New Food Innovation
2014.04 - 2015.12

BSc (Hons) - Food Science

University of Nottingham
2012.01 - 2016.01

Chef

Various
2008.01 - 2012.09

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Robert Murdock