On demand Virtual Panel

Innovative strategies for product development and portfolio management

Effective portfolio management is crucial for any business, encompassing both internal strategies and external factors. Internally, it involves the meticulous evaluation and adaptation of existing products within the portfolio. For instance, consider a meal company aiming to cater to the growing demand for vegan options.

Moreover, external events play a pivotal role in shaping portfolio decisions, whether to maintain a competitive edge or comply with new regulations, particularly in the realm of ecological sustainability. This necessitates constant vigilance and proactive adjustments in ingredients and raw materials to align with evolving market trends and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, changes in customer requirements, especially in cases where products are manufactured for intermediaries rather than end consumers, must be promptly addressed to ensure continued satisfaction and loyalty.

In essence, effective portfolio management, grounded in both internal strategies and external insights, is indispensable for businesses striving to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By embracing innovation, sustainability, and technology, companies can navigate market complexities with confidence and ensure sustained relevance and success.

Key Learnings

  • Regulations are changing quicker than you are used to.
  • Sustainability footprint is more and more important, and how to make sure you are compliant.
  • Reduce time-to-market for changes in product of 20 to 40%
  • How to handle change management on raw material and ingredients with the right tool (olive oil example)
  • Guarantee your packaging complies with customer expectations

Speakers:

Elvira Domingo, Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) Programme Manager at EIT Food

A dynamic and passionate ecosystem developer, leader in food innovation and business development, as Impact Portfolio Manager at EIT Food, she collaborates with visionary entrepreneurs, leading higher education institutions, research centers, top-tier startups, corporates and SMEs to drive transformative change and shape the future of sustainable food production, fostering partnerships and strategic programmes across Europe.

Elvira’s extensive experience includes managing multimarket R&D projects at PepsiCo, where she led successful product innovation across different categories globally.

Elvira holds an MSc in Biotechnology and Food Safety from the University of Ghent and a BSc in Biotechnology and Food Security from the University of Burgos and PDD Executive Education at IESE Business School.

Daniela Quintero Director of Design and Product Development at Luker Chocolate

Daniela Quintero leads Luker’s Design and Product Development. Daniela is a chemical engineer with more than 8 years of experience in research & development for several industries. She has broad knowledge and skills in product design, food & sensory science, nutrition and manufacturing production and processes. Before joining Luker Chocolate, Daniela worked as a product designer for savoury & snacks and as a lab scientist for Halliburton.

Deborah Wallen, Head of Innovation at Community Foods.

With over 25 years of experience in the food industry across Retail, Manufacturing, QSR and Catering such as M&S, Tesco, Sainsburys, Bakkavor, 2 Sisters, Pret, Wasabi& Sodexho Prestige  to name just a few! Debbie has built a reputation for excellence in Culinary Innovation and Food Management systems.

She has successfully launched numerous food products that have won industry awards. Her strategic approach to food management has significantly improved quality, operational efficiencies and profit. Her leadership style is collaborative and inclusive fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within her teams.

Philip Wassenaar, Senior Account Executive at Aptean

Philip Wassenaar, has 25 years of experience in IT, implementing and selling solutions for consumer packaged goods (CPG) customers in Europe. Throughout his career, he has focused on enterprise resource planning (ERP) and financial solutions. Currently, he focuses on bringing the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution to market for both the food and cosmetic markets in Europe.

 

Register now to watch this virtual panel on demand.