New General Manager Crop & Food Research

New General Manager, Food Solutions, at Crop & Food Research

Delivering Crop & Food Research’s innovative food developments to the marketplace is the role of the company’s new General Manager Food Solutions, Chris Buddle.

Crop & Food Research’s chief executive, Mark Ward, says the new management position is vital to Crop & Food Research being recognised as New Zealand’s foremost food innovation centre.

He says, “Chris’s knowledge of the food industry and his understanding of retail and consumer behaviour will enhance the ‘market pull’ factor for research undertaken particularly in the areas of functional foods and ingredients for health, convenience and quality.”

Mr Buddle heads the Food Solutions science & technology platform that includes food and ingredients research, product development, industry training and one of the best nutrition and health capabilities in the country.

He says, “New Zealand is well-known for its wealth of natural resources and, with its sound agrarian heritage, has a platform to build its reputation for quality food and beverages. Fonterra, Zespri and the wine industry are all good examples of how this country can enhance this positioning in order to be successful in the global food market.

“We are also passionate about working with smaller companies that are on a growth path fuelled by product innovation and science-based marketing, and we can point to a number of very successful clients. I believe the heightened awareness of the link between good health and nutrition will continue to provide opportunities where we can take the latest scientific findings to consumers in products that we will enjoy eating and will benefit from.”

Mr Buddle brings to the role 20 years experience working in general management and marketing roles in the food industries of New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Companies he has worked for include: Goodman Fielder NZ, New Zealand Sugar Company and Griffins Foods. He will be based at Palmerston North.

ENDS

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