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PETER TRAVES

Mobile: 0752 389 6723  Tel: 01295 252265

PeterTraves@thefoodspecialist.co.uk       www.TheFoodSpecialist.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW:

Interim Technical Manager/Director with a highly professional approach. A problem solver with vision and positive energy who challenges the team and raises performance. With an eye for detail whilst quickly grasping underlying issues. Delivers robust technical solutions - improving profitability and moving the business forward.

Previous roles include Technical Director, Head of Technical, Technical Manager, BRC Auditor, and Tesco Technologist. Commercially and operationally astute with substantial complimentary perspective as General Manager, Sales Director and Cranfield qualified in Continuous Improvement and Lean techniques.

HEADLINE QUALIFIERS:

Wide product experience – Cooked & Raw Meats, Pizza, Ready Meals, Pasta, Cake, Soup, Desserts, Sauces, Dips, Sandwiches, Poultry, Fresh Produce, Chocolate, Vegetarian, Fish

Supplied every major UK retailer, also foodservice and food manufacturers

‘Heavyweight’ technical specialist, bringing independent perspective, fresh insight and positive approach to lead and support the site teams in achieving goals

BRC Trained Auditor, with the knowledge of what will satisfy auditors

Former Tesco Technologist – experienced in managing major customer expectations

30 years in the food industry, including 18 years as Director

Multi-site experience and complex/difficult situations successfully dealt with

Qualified mentor & coach – Cranfield use example of leading staff through change

CAREER SUMMARY:

INTERIM HEAD OF TECHNICAL: Laurens Patisserie – Bakkavor Sep 2012 to Present

Chilled high risk cream cakes, trifle, desserts, doughnuts and custard tarts for Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s. Largest Bakkavor site - 21 production lines 1,700 staff, £168m sales.

 Retained BRC A grade and confident in retaining PIU Green in a way that is sustainable

 Led investigations to achieve breakthrough in micro results by “hands on” challenging - providing solutions to key problem machines, methods, processes.. Now coach staff in this approach.

 Introduced successful plan to avoid repeat of historical Christmas quality issues.

 Overhauled Policy Manual and HACCP to meet requirements of BRC, TFMS etc.

 Gained ‘Green status’ for first time in history of Laurens Patisseries from Bakkavor Central Technical

 Seamless transfer to permanent Head of Technical; retained due to senior value added

INTERIM TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Industrie Rolli Alimentari spa. Mar 2012 to Aug 2012

Pizza, ready meals, pasta, and prepared vegetables for Asda, Morrisons and leading European retailers. 2 large sites 125,000 m2, 750 staff. Largest frozen food producer in Italy.

 Introduced UK technical standards and guided cultural change to achieve significant improvement in audit ratings and reduce business exposure to technical risks

 Coached and mentored local Technical Manager to succeed as Technical Director

INTERIM TECHNICAL MANAGER: RH Amar & Co UK Ltd. Feb 2012 to Mar 2012

Importer & distributor of branded (Bertoli, Sacla, Cirio etc.) and own label (JS, Asda, Morrisons)

INTERIM TECHNICAL MANAGER: Finlays Fresh Produce UK Ltd. Sept 2011 to Jan 2012

Premium and prepared fresh vegetables for Tesco, Sainsbury, M&S, and Morrisons. 24/7  packhouse operation with £80m sales, 320 staff. Largest operation of its type

 Managed technical matters following loss of both Technical Manager and Technologist

 Safeguarded service & relationship with largest customer;  Tesco with £1m sales per week

 Hosted Tesco PIU audit, successfully retaining ‘Green’ status

INTERIM HEAD of TECHNICAL/TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: TSC Foods Ltd. May 2010 to Jul 2011

Formerly 'The Sauce Company'. Award winning high risk chilled & frozen soups, sauces and dips to retail & foodservice sectors. 24/7 operation. £45m sales. 320 staff.

 Joined as Interim to overcome  series of serious technical difficulties and deliver successful BRC audit result; within 7 weeks gained best BRC result in history of TSC

 Successfully created and shaped strategy, and delivered operational excellence

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: Hain Celestial UK Ltd. Dec 2007 to Jan 2008:

Manufacturer of M&S sandwiches, Linda McCartney vegetarian products & ready-meals

 Developed strategy for business turnaround of Linda McCartney factory (15,000 m2)

 Worked to reduce start-up delays, and increase output of key lines by up to 100%

GENERAL MANAGER: Fabulous Bakin’ Boys Manufacturing Ltd. Dec 2001 to Nov 2007:

Manufacturer of baked goods to retailers, coffee chains and dessert manufacturers. 24/7 operation. £25m turnover. 150 staff.

 Led design and delivery of innovative growth strategies including identifying and targeting new markets and strengthening existing relationships to grow business 300% in 5 years

 Delivered full manufacturing capabilities from high volume to premium craft operations

INTERIM SITE MANAGER: Ackermans Ltd, London  Nov 2000 to Dec 2001:

Chocolate confectionery manufacturer, by Royal Appointment. 130 staff.

 Achieved over 100% business growth whilst leading business turnaround

 Defined, planned and implemented innovative re-layout of production and packing to increase throughput of required products by 400%

 Developed competent, flexible, motivated & disciplined team enabling halving headcount

Watchbell Ltd. Nov 1990 to Jan 2000:

Chilled/frozen high risk cooked meats as ingredients to pizzas, ready meals, baby food.

SALES & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR  Mar 1995 to Jan 2000

 Responsible for Food Safety, Quality, Sales and Laboratory for 2 sites

 Focused on technical nature of the business to achieve commercial success

TECHNICAL MANAGER  Nov 1990 to Mar 1995

Responsible for developing a reputation for technical excellence with customers.

Preceded by 10 years solid experience with 'blue chip' companies, including:-

 Ashmount Foods (Glanbia) – Technical Manager - Responsible for 6 sites involving 'high risk' cooked meats, cooked poultry, sandwiches, raw meats

 Tesco Technologist - Working with virtually all food types; promoted to manage high risk

 Buxted Poultry – Factory Quality Controller – Largest UK frozen whole chicken site

 Birds Eye - Development Assistant - Fish & vegetables

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

Accredited Associate of Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (ACIEH)

Associate Member of the Institute of Quality Assurance (AMIQA)

Cranfield Fellowship in Manufacturing Management (FMM)

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

Food Safety Advanced (level 4) with Merit    2012  Campden BRI

Food & Drink Labelling                               2011  Campden BRI

BRC Auditor Issue 5                                  2009  BRC

Business Mentoring & Coaching: Year 1        2009  University of Northampton

HACCP Intermediate with Honours               2002  Royal Institute of Public Health

Fellowship in Manufacturing Management      2001  Cranfield University

General Management                                 1999  Cranfield School of Management

HND Food Technology with Distinction          1983  Grimsby