​​​​Marta Draper PhD

SENIOR R&D / QUALITY EXECUTIVE   ▪   SCIENTIST

 

Extensive and broad-based experience leading & transforming R&D teams in food, nutrition and biotech environments; built three complete R&D organizations.

 

PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry & Metabolism from MIT; BS, Nutrition Science & Chemistry.

 

History of cost-effective development, production and launch of multiple new,

innovative products  with significant commercial success.

 

Strong background developing & implementing market strategies resulting in competitive advantages.

 

Established team building/development/management abilities; successful history of developing

strong working relationships with Marketing, Supply Chain, and R&D functions.

 

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; able to lead, mentor and motivate people to come together,

reach a consensus, and achieve objectives of the organization.

 

Skill Sets

R&D Management  ▪  Quality Assurance  ▪  Food Processing  ▪  Strategic Planning/Development

Nutrition/Wellness  ▪  IP/Patents  ▪  Clinical Research Management  ▪  Product Innovation

Functional Foods/Bioactives  ▪  Regulatory Affairs  ▪  Product Development  ▪  International

 

Fluent in Spanish; some knowledge of Portuguese.

 

Select Professional Accomplishments

 

Transformed three R&D organizations, improved talent pools, established stage gate commercialization process, and successfully partnered with supply chain, marketing, quality, and R&D groups.

 

Successfully developed/launched the first instant flan in the Spanish Marketplace for Nabisco, Spain; gained 80% market share in the first year.

 

Formed the first International Scientific Advisory Board for Campbell Soup; members included scientists from leading food Science Universities in Japan, Germany, France and USA.

 

Created/developed/marketed an individual computerized health/wellness and lifestyle

assessment tool to improve overall wellness and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.

 

Filed four patent applications while with Hartz Mountain.

 

R&D team at ConAgra foods developed a line of Banquet Crock Pot Meals; year one sales exceeded $60MM.

 

 

 

EDUCATION

 

PhD, Nutritional Biochemistry & Metabolism, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 1973-1977

Research Fellow, Protein Chemistry & Structure, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge MA 1978

B.S., Nutrition Science & Chemistry, Simmons College, Boston, MA 1969-1973

 

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUT CORP- Winston-Salem, NC                                                                           

Dec 2013 - Dec2014                                                                                  

Vice President Global R&D and Quality                                                                               

• Senior management team member. Lead R&D/QA teams consisting of Product Development, Manufacturing Services, commercialization, Equipment Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Quality Assurance. QA/QC, oversight of 7 manufacturing commissaries, and one mix plant.  Budget $5MM. Three direct reports, 34 scientists

• Developed a One, Three, and Five year Strategic Plan for product innovation, and cost improvement

• Converted 74% of the product portfolio to all Natural Flavors

• Developed a fry oil that is Partially Hydrogenated Oil (PHO) free in accordance to the upcoming FDA final ruling of GRAS status of PHO.

• Developed a gluten free doughnut

 

HARTZ MOUNTAIN CORP – Secaucus, NJ                                                                                                  

July 2006 - Jan.2013                                                                                                             

Vice President R&D, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs

Chief Technical Officer

• Led R&D/QA teams including Product Development, Consumer Affairs & Scientific/Regulatory Affairs; 40+ scientists, 5 direct reports; managed budget of $8MM.

• Developed/implemented commercialization process including complete reorganization of R&D organization.

• Developed Quality Management System in compliance with FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.

• Implemented Annual Food Safety audits for third party manufacturing facilities in China.

• Managed Quality Control function of three manufacturing operations, including one in China.

• Completed dental studies of dogs/cats using HMP; resulted in 67% tartar reduction in cats & 47% in dogs.

• Filed four patent applications for animal & dental health, dietary supplements and meat treats.

• Reformulated all bird/small animal/aquatic diets; $1.8MM in cost savings.

 

MDLM Consulting, Inc. / Marta Draper Lifestyle Management, Inc. – Nyack, NY                              

2004 – 2006 / 1991 – 1998

Founder & President

• Consultant to major food company; recommended entire restructuring of global R&D operation.

• Worked with biotechnology company providing antibacterial solutions to food/cosmetic industries.

• Created computerized lifestyle management/improvement tool; leased to numerous health-related companies.

• Developed line of health & fitness-oriented foods.

 

ConAgra FOODS, Inc., Frozen Food Division– Omaha, NE                                                                                                   

2002 – 2004

Vice President Research, Product Development & Quality Assurance

Founder; Nutrition Center of Excellence (NCOE)

• Led R&D/QA teams consisting of Product Development, Packaging, Engineering, Nutrition & Scientific/Regulatory Affairs; 100+ scientists, 6 direct reports; budget responsibility of $17MM.

• Directed QA/QC for seven plants; worked with Sales/Marketing/Operations/Purchasing/Consumer Insights.

• Restructured Quality and R&D teams; increased net sales of new products from 3.9% to 12%.

 

ENDOMATRIX Inc.                                                                                                                                                                         

2001 – 2002

Chief Technical Officer

• Led effort to source patented bioactive compounds and demonstrate efficacy.

• Identified bioactive compound extracted from sea algae; ran studies; identified source/extract manufacturer.

• Developed two year strategic plan for product formulation to commercialization, resulting in successful launch.

 

WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL– Salt Lake City, UT                                                                                                            

1998 – 2001

Senior Vice President of Technology; Chief Technical Officer

• Directed all facets of dietary supplement product development for food, beverage, capsules & tablets.

• Managed regulatory & scientific affairs, analytical sciences, engineering, packaging, research contracts & consumer services; 45+ staff; five direct reports; managed $6MM budget.

• Implemented SPC; received National Natural Food Products Association (NNFA) GMP certification.

• Established a product standards group for GMP compliance of specifications.

• Implemented vendor certification program; $1.2MM annualized cost improvement.  Managed 40% RIF.

• Designed a new product development commercialization process; reduced timelines by 50%.

• Spearheaded launch of 10 unique, proprietary, efficacious products.

• Board member for Council for Responsible Nutrition; represented Weider’s position on nutritional regulatory issues such as ephedra & carbohydrate definition.

 

Earlier Professional Involvement

 

VP R&D and Quality Assurance International, Campbell Soup Company, NJ & London, England

Director & Manager Product Concept Development/Technical Services, Nabisco Brands, NJ, Spain

 

 

 

AFFILIATIONS

 

• Board member NPA (Natural Products Association)                                                                                             2000-2004           

 

• Board member CRN (Council for Responsible Nutrition)                                                                                      2000-2004

 

• Secretary IFIC (International Food Information Council)                                                                                        2004-2006

  • Member IFIC Functional Foods Committee

  • Member IFIC Obesity Committee

  • Member IFIC Sodium Committee

 

• Member GMA (Grocery Manufacturers of America) Food Labeling Committee                                                  2004-2006

 

• Member IFT (Institute of Food Technologists)                                                                                                         2013-2014

 

• Member WFF (Women in Food Service)                                                                                                                 2013-2024