Dynamic innovation professional with over 12 years of experience in food product development and plant-based solutions for the industry.
Gavyn Pedley
DK 
IE 
ES 
Bio
How I Work
Experience
Arla Foods Amba
Arla is a global dairy cooperative with 21,000 employees and 7,999 farmer-owners. Committed to sustainability, it reduces its carbon footprint while promoting healthy nutrition. Through innovation and partnerships, Arla drives growth and delivers quality dairy products worldwide under brands like Arla, Lurpak, Castello, and Puck, sold in 120+ countries.
My role as the Global Commercial Innovation Manager for plant-based products at Arla involved managing innovation projects for plant-based options for all Arla brands. I worked on a broad range of consumer products aimed at four core markets, the UK, Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. As Global Commercial Innovation Manager I was responsible for all centrally lead projects, working with large teams in innovation, NPD, supply chain, commercial and brand management. I worked directly with the brand management teams in each market to ensure market buy-in and accurate forecasting, smooth product roll-outs and proper product/market fit.
Global Commercial Innovation Manager, Plant-Based
- Led innovation projects for plant-based products across multiple markets (UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden).
- Directed cross-functional teams to ensure smooth product rollouts and market alignment.
- Conducted consumer research to build a 5-year innovation pipeline for new product development.
- Initiated manufacturing audits to enhance production agility and optimize costs.
Tirlán(Formerly Glanbia)
Utilising the company’s core grain assets, I built the innovation pipeline and took end-to-end ownership of the plant-based portfolio through the stage gate innovation forum. By April 2021, I had gated 12 projects, reduced department spending, developed expected revenue of €15 million, launched a plant-based Oat cheese a hydrolysed Oat flour, introduced the company to new markets, onboarded manufacturing partners and dramatically increased the pace of product development within Glanbia by an average of 4 months.
During Q1:
Plant Hub Business Manager
- Plant Hub charter, design strategy, team onboarding and official presentation of the Plant Hub initiative to the board of directors within 6 weeks
During Q2:
- 4 projects successfully gated
- The first co-manufacturing contracts and samples were received, tested and approved
- 4 new project business plans were created and reviewed
- Sustainability, Bio-purification and design thinking initiatives introduced
During Q3:
- 4 additional projects successfully gated, one 2 months early and one into implementation phase
- I developed and launched an initiative to improve the speed of co-manufacturer onboarding, reducing project times by 4 months
During Q4:
- 4 additional projects successfully gated
- First project to reach implementation completed manufacturing trials successfully, confirming manufacturing guidelines
- 2 new co-manufacturers onboarded for projects in Quinoa
During Q1 2021:
- Contract with external manufacturer on cheese project signed and full production commenced
- Department integration and handover to project teams completed
- Project handover to operations for launched products completed
Vbites UK Ltd
I led change management projects, improving sales team performance, implementing project management systems and rebuilding pricing structures. I managed high-value clients worth £2.7M annually and added £9.4M to the sales pipeline in 3 months. My role entailed the following:
Director of Sales, Finance and Sales
- Collaborate with high value customers to generate new innovations tailored to their core requirements, technological and operational needs
- EBITDA increased from 6% to 20% through detailed profitability analysis
- Costs of manufacturing reduced through redesigned manufacturing protocols
- Redesigned weekly management reports to include sales team performance, product sales and portfolio profitability
- Upgraded sales team reports, adding previous sales analysis, Monthly KPIs and market research
- Instituted new quarterly reporting on product performance
- Streamlined product catalogue by delisting underperforming items
- 80% reduction in line cleaning times by transitioning key accounts to bulk purchasing
- Developed a simplified platform for stock and manufacturing management, optimizing visibility in a complex multi-stage system
- Reduced logistics costs and expanded capability by engaging alternative companies during the COVID-19 pandemic
General fruit Iberia
Consultant, Plant-based Market Expert
- Project manage the introduction of plant-based range from UK to Spanish market
- Provide market fit analysis and forecasted sales for newly sourced products
- Host tasting session for company’s management and top customers
- Portfolio onboarding and initial pitch per product delivered
Red Colo S.L. (Trading as Barcelona Cocktail Company)
Management Consultant
- Delivered investor ready business plan, financial plan and projections
- Built the financial planning and analysis reporting framework, providing rich visualised data on performance to management weekly
- Negotiated and secured primary contract with European distributor (Dumilco) for sole rights for Spain (worth €7.5 Million)
- Implemented inventory systems and control in a complex environment with multiple sites and individual workflows
- Introduction of new Whiskey clients to Dumilco’s Spanish office with logistics model and pitch deck
- Led procurement meeting with Braeburn whisky with the aim to offer Dumilco clients access to custom bottles of high end whisky\
- Advised on investment strategy based on forecasted expected value of portfolios
Dublin Grooming Company Ltd
Dublin Grooming Co manufactures high end men’s grooming products, ranging from shave oils and razors to beard care products. Dublin grooming Co now enjoys international distribution, a return customer rate of 49% and profit margin of 30%.
My role entailed the following:
Head of Product
- Concept-market fit confirmed through initial market research project
- Core range and specialist products developed by utilising user centred design principles
- Product-market fit achieved via consumer testing
- EU compliance, safety, shelf life and stability testing achieved and approved for launch
- Technical specifications delivered in line with customer requirements
- External manufacturing partner onboarded, including site vetting, logging of documentation and creation of a product specific contract with production standards
- High level business plan developed, including initial financial forecasts, customer acquisition strategies and assistance for sales and marketing in designing branding
- Oversaw development of logistics infrastructure, onboarding external drop shipping partnerships
Moodley Manor Ltd.
Moodley Manor Ltd was founded in 2014 and built Ireland’s first Meat alternatives production plant, developing a core range of bacon, burgers, sausages, sauces, mayonnaise, sliced meats and chicken alternatives. The company traded internationally and enjoyed a primary position within its home market.
My role entailed the following:
Director, Chief of Operations
- I developed and led the company towards its strategic goal of international sales by aligning product development to the company’s strategy, overseeing the company’s NPD and liaising with sales, logistics, manufacturing, marketing and legal
- I lead the development of the underlying technical processes for large scale production of wheat and soy based meat alternatives using bakery and patisserie equipment and processes
- I hired and led the innovation team in developing new recipes for launch each year
- I designed and project managed the internal fit out of the production facility, overseeing production and management systems including compliance, QC, logistics and manufacturing
- I lead the negotiations for all supplier and client contracts including those with Tesco, SuperValu and Dunnes along with multiple international customers