DANIEL SHAFIABADY
Orland Park
Summary
Results-driven food professional with a focus on innovation and collaboration. Leads cross-functional teams to develop market-responsive food solutions, enhancing project success rates and profitability. Fosters a culture of communication and recognition, ensuring efficient processes and positive team dynamics.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of GF US R&D
Griffith Foods
Alsip
03.2023 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative food solutions for QSR, retail, protein processors, and food manufacturers, collaborating with clients to align projects with market trends and needs, enhancing project hit rate.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to maximize organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability. New ways of working for team members
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on new product launches, equipping team with knowledge to effectively support product introduction.
- Fostered collaboration among staff through regular communication and feedback, rebuilding and expanding intern program to enhance team engagement and development.
Director of R&D Protein and Retail Segments
GRIFFITH FOODS
Alsip
03.2023 - Current
- Direct and build CapEx expansion and strategy for the protein team.
- Define project scope to support innovation growth & commercialization.
- Developed strategies to align team to rebuild key customer accounts and trust in Griffith Foods.
- Increase communication cross functionally to improve processes that support the LRP strategies.
- Cultivated team atmosphere to enhance support and productivity.
Associate Director of Innovation R&D
TYSON FOODS
Downers Grove
04.2022 - 03.2023
- Launched first plant protein sandwich for Jimmy Dean Delights.
- Commercialized retail frozen innovations under strict formula cost guidelines, driving margin increase, repeat purchase growth, and reduced cannibalization rates.
- Delivered YOY innovations for Jimmy Dean and Jimmy Dean Delights.
- Negotiated technology priorities for Tyson retail brands with marketing insights and innovation, aligning a three-year focus on ROI and margin growth.
- Refrigerated Innovation Pipeline expansion (with expected supply chain shelf life requirements) delivered in 2023 for national launch.
- Partnered with cross-functional management teams to support strategic priorities, delivering technical counsel and streamlining processes to accelerate speed to market.
- Optimized the concept review process prior to BASES testing to increase success rate and planning after BASES.
- Achieved CCS Culinary Certificate from RCA through course training and passing the culinary test with the required score.
Sr. Manager Innovation Research and Development
TYSON FOODS
Downers Grove
04.2019 - 04.2022
- Liaised with marketing, R&D leadership, and customers to develop roadmap for new concepts, ensuring alignment with market needs.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to gain alignment and move initiatives from product ideas to commercialization.
- Developed project timelines and schedules, prioritizing tasks for entire team of scientists performing innovation tasks.
- Collaborated with sales, strategy, and new business development to identify product opportunities and effectively manage project portfolio.
- Trained and mentored team on best practices, fostering implementation of innovative solutions.
- Partnered across R&D organization to maintain development process, champion technical rigor and expand technical capabilities.
- Broke down technical information for non-technical people.
- Launched retail egg-based breadless sandwiches to align with Keto and low carb trends, executing a national rollout in 2018.
- Led national launch of breakfast burritos and high protein breakfast wraps in 2019, managing a $4MM investment.
- Implemented new line of USDA high protein breakfast roll-ups in 2018, introducing three SKUs to the market.
- Executed national launch of breakfast casserole bites in 2020, introducing three new SKUs to the market.
- Launched breakfast nuggets in resealable pouches in 2020, introducing two SKUs for consumer convenience.
- Executed national launch of frozen egg bites in 2022, offering two SKUs for market availability.
Sr. Scientist I
HILLSHIRE BRANDS
Downers Grove
05.2014 - 04.2019
- Launched Breakfast Frittatas - 4 SKUs more than $4MM net sales year 1 and expanded the brand's penetration and share growth.
- Launched first gluten-free breakfast sandwich (Egg' wich) for Jimmy Dean Delights - still on market after 5 years with millions in sales.
- Delivered innovation for Jimmy Dean and Jimmy Dean Delights pipeline from idea to launch within stage gate process, enhancing product offerings.
- Club store launches - Breakfast sandwich - Natural sausage claim with large whole cracked egg sandwich- 2016 LTO.
- Retail margin enhancement on English muffins and breakfast frittatas - 2017 - Still on market.
- Club store breakfast omelets - 2017 & 2018 LTOs.
- Supported development of project timelines, schedules, priorities, and tasks for innovation scientists and marketing team to streamline project execution.
- Communicated project progress to clients monthly, ensuring alignment and transparency throughout development phases.
- Mentored on processes and procedures relevant to tasks at hand to newly hired employees.
- Led the engagement team to improve team culture.
Senior Application Scientist
TATE AND LYLE
Sycamore
03.2011 - 04.2014
- Drove expansion of customized bakery blends to meet market demand.
- Facilitated launch of gluten free blends, enhancing product offerings for distributors.
- Collaborated with marketing and cross-functional teams to define strategic direction for new product pipeline.
- Utilized knowledge of the Tate and Lyle starches and ingredients to deliver new bakery blends.
- Assembled a small baking lab for testing applications.
- Maintained accurate records for trials being performed.
- Prepared trial samples of products for shelf-life testing and organoleptic assessment.
- Worked closely with team members to deliver project requirements, meet deadlines and develop optimized solutions on specific equipment.
- Supported sales team members on bakery visits and calls.
- Visited and worked internationally with R&D teams to share knowledge.
Scientist II
SARA LEE BAKERY
Downers Grove
09.2007 - 03.2011
- Transfat reformulation team: Our team converted over 400 SKUs in less than 1 year including reformulation work, plant trials, and validation through passing sensory discrimination and triangle tests.
- Optimized specifications and manufacturing instructions to enhance product consistency and efficiency.
- Conducted quality control procedures from raw material stage to finished product.
- Evaluated cooking and packaging processes, leading to improvements in product quality and consumer satisfaction.
- Conducted sensory cuttings and validation testing, ensuring product alignment with sensory standards.
- Maintained adherence to labeling and packaging requirements.
- Analyzed raw materials and manufacturing costs to support product pricing for profitability.
- Supported Ideations for both optimization and innovation categories.
- Expanded bread carriers for the Jimmy Dean Retail Business.
- Joined fresh bread, buns, rolls, and bagel team to enhance product offerings.
- Reduced $/lb for bakery sweet goods team and delivered more than $500K.
R&D Lab Manager
ELGIN DAIRY FOODS
Chicago
06.1999 - 09.2007
- Combined sales, strategy, and new business development to identify product opportunities and manage pilot plant projects and specialized bakery portfolio focused on emulsions.
- Delivered on implementation of a new whipped topping branded products domestically and internationally.
- Developed automated pre-whipped frosting line to enhance production efficiency and product consistency.
- Maintained high internal customer satisfaction by supporting and integrating marketing, insights, co-manufacturing, and R&D initiatives.
- Provided technical sales support for customer product cuttings and production opportunities domestically and internationally.
- Performed product testing on customized processing equipment to validate specifications and functionality.
- Quality focus on McD's McFlurry formula's including testing and microbial plating.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints through effective communication and problem-solving.
Education
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL05-1999
Skills
- Innovation Commercialization & Management
- Protein categories
- Bakery reformulation categories
- Sauce and Gravy development/reformulation
- Ingredients
- Equipment processing
- Microsoft Office
- Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
- Leadership, Teamwork and Collaboration
- Technical collaboration
- Mentorship development
- Team building and motivation
- Cultural transformation
- Conflict resolution
- People/Team Skills
Personal Accomplishments
- CCS courses at Tyson Foods completed in 2019
- Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion training
- President of Food Science Club
Affiliations
- Head Coach and Player Development for Naz United FC since 2010
Timeline
Senior Director of GF US R&D
Griffith Foods
03.2023 - Current
Director of R&D Protein and Retail Segments
GRIFFITH FOODS
03.2023 - Current
Associate Director of Innovation R&D
TYSON FOODS
04.2022 - 03.2023
Sr. Manager Innovation Research and Development
TYSON FOODS
04.2019 - 04.2022
Sr. Scientist I
HILLSHIRE BRANDS
05.2014 - 04.2019
Senior Application Scientist
TATE AND LYLE
03.2011 - 04.2014
Scientist II
SARA LEE BAKERY
09.2007 - 03.2011
R&D Lab Manager
ELGIN DAIRY FOODS
06.1999 - 09.2007
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign