I’ve had the opportunity to work with best-in-class teams across formulation, regulatory affairs, consumer insights, packaging, and beyond.
From them, I’ve learned a great deal. Here, I’ve summarised the key areas where I feel confident not only contributing — but also teaching others.
Formulation and development of:
Newtonian and non-newtonian fluids, anhidrous pastes, free flowing powders, tablets and emulsions. All this in the context of Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Laundry, with a short excursus in the Make Up realm.
As a technical project leader
I lead more than 100 projects in strict collaboration with brand development.
From bench to factory new active ingredients, to fast and tactical relaunches, I had the opportunity of spanning from long term to short term innovation.
Industrialization of the above formats and formulations:
- In over 15 factories globally
- Resulting in 4 patents in collaboration with machine producers
- With improvement of OE and reduction of waste dynamics
- For Personal Care, Home Care and Make up
Regulatory working knowledge in:
- Detergency (European norms such as 648/2004, CLP, PPWD, Ecodesign, DPP; Anvisa and south cone registrations)
- Personal Care (1223/2009; FDA; Indian Cosmetic Rules)
- Make up (Prop 65; NYSDEC; possible Beauty Justice Act)
Quality assurance & Medical devices knowledge:
- Implemented a quality system for MD class 2A twice in 2002 and in 2013.
- Implemented ISO9000 twice in 2000 and in 2021
Packaging and plastics intermediate knowledge acquired through:
- Developing toothbrushes in collaboration with world leading manufacturers
- Managing blow moulds/hot and cold injections installations
- Working on compatibility of active formulation and PCR packaging
Usability and ergonomics
I am not a plastic expert – I am a formulator, but I have had the opportunity of learning much more than how compatibility works. The concepts of usability and ergonomics I applied with innovating the toothbrush portfolio are paramount now that eco-design permeates everything we do.
Sensory and consumer understanding, clinical trials, performances:
- Contributed to the design and implementation of performance tests for Personal Care and Home Care, instrumental, robotic and through domestic appliances. Written and reviewed more than 200 claim support documents – and had my share of discussion with authorities, clearcast and competitors.
- Set up of sensory laboratories twice, working knowledge of several sensory tests (such as pair comparison, Triangle test)
- More than 100 consumer & trade visits in the last ten years (Europe, Brazil, India)
- Collaborated at the definition of best practice Home Use Tests and Co-creation activities with consumers
- Contributed to the design and the interpretation of more than 50 clinical trials for Oral Care products
I am proud of the structured processes I have learnt at Unilever and of the flexibility I developed when working at Fareva. At Reckitt I enjoy the entrepreneurial spirit and “doer” mindset . Wherever I am, my focus is to connect the dots and drive efficiency. To me beauty lies in simplicity with a good dose of human touch as cherry on the cake.
Open Innovation:
The modern way of doing innovation must rely on an Extended R&D Network that expands outside our company boundaries. Human interaction, trust and common goals are at the base of successful open innovation activities
I am an expert
I managed dozens of open innovation projects inside and outside of frame contracts with Fragrance Houses, Raw Materials suppliers, Turn Key operators and and even with machine suppliers.
Long term innovation and product strategy:
Long term innovation ideas theoretically spark from consumer unmet needs, but today I am fascinated by the possibility of finding opportunities in challenges. Cross function contamination, intentional shelf design and claim roadmaps are then fuel to real, compelling innovation.
I am an expert
I have hosted disruptive innovation workshop, lead 3-5 years pipelines and my latest patents – related to a disruptive and sustainable product, were the outcome of a collaboration with an external partner.
Program and Project Management:
I have served as project manager and as program manager for global/virtual teams, I am skilled in the definition of metrics, decision making under uncertainty systems and organizational excellence set up. From very process oriented giants to smaller more entrepreneurial realities, all players need to rely on numbers to take decisions.
Product Lifecycle Management:
I have participated to at least three PLM set up in three different companies and I am well aware of the challenges and opportunities of such a task. Knowing in which details the devil is going to hide is paramount and often it is not a matter of how many decades one has spent in the company, but it has to do with the ability to connect with the right people at all levels, with humility and empathy and being willing to listen.
I am an expert
Although Innovation is my bread and butter I am very aware that any company needs fuel for growth and a solid baseline. Between 2017 and 2018, for example, I led a program that saved over 20 mio Euros, working on product logic, supply chain practices and bringing our relationship with strategic Raw Materials suppliers to the next level.
Risk assessment:
When innovating within short and medium horizons a proper analysis of risks is mandatory. Not only to understand the liability of the activity underway, but to be able to cut time in a mostly competitive environment in an educated way. War Games, innovation workshop with external partners or through internal management are at the base of a thorough visualization of risks and opportunities.
