Grimbergen, Flemish Region, Belgium
Professional Profile • PhD Microbiologist with 24 years of experience in technical leadership for product innovation of consumer goods. • Track record of building profitable businesses in close collaboration with marketing. • Personally led the development and successful market introductions for new products in Western, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. • Professional expertise comprises consumer research, technology development, product design, home sanitization, technical external relations, brand support as well as budget and staff administration. • Passion for building, coaching and managing diverse and multinational teams. • Believe in team work across functional boundaries, open innovation and continuous learning. Status: Looking for projects or positions that provide me with a new professional challenge. Particularly, I am interested in opportunities to leverage my expertise for emerging markets and my skills to build winning organizations.
Leader product research SWIFFER Wester Europe and Surface Care CEEMEA.
R&D program leader for Home Care in Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. After my appointment to this newly established position, the homecare business across CEEMEA doubled in size to >450 MM$ sales in less than 6 years and became a strategic investment area for P&G driven by a well-orchestrated plan of product innovation in established markets and brand expansions into new geographies. • Directly accountable to the Vice President for the regional innovation program of surface cleaner liquids, toilet cleaners, cleaning powders, disinfectants, dry and wet wipes, air care products and detergents for hand- and automatic dish washing in 50+ countries. • Led consumer research program to identify key consumer needs and business opportunities. • Shaped technical vision and initiative master plan and provided technical leadership to deliver consumer preferred products and archive growth objectives. • Built the required regional expertise and a multifunctional R&D organization of 30+ scientists / engineers supporting the business. • Managed budget and staffing.
R&D leader for global product design and technology of surface cleaner products. * Delivered formula upgrades: All Purpose Cleaners in Western Europe (MR. PROPER, FLASH, M.LIMPIO), North America (MR. CLEAN), Mexico (MR. PROPER) and Venezuela (LAVANSAN). Global cleaning wipes and Western Europe limescale removers (VIAKAL). * Market introduction of the VIAKAL toilet bowl cleaner. * 11/01 Consolidation of R&D capabilities at technical centre Brussels transfer. Design of new surface care lab facilities on site.
Dissertation at the "Institut für Biotechnologie der Kernforschungsanlage Jülich.