Tom Tao

Associate Product Development Director @ Danone

About

Innovation-driven leader with 10+ years of experience in product development, R&D, and cross-functional team leadership across global markets (China, Oceania, Singapore). Adept at driving business growth through strategic vision, dynamic problem-solving, and fostering collaborative environments. Proven track record in scaling teams, managing M&A integration, and delivering high-impact solutions under tight deadlines. **CORE COMPETENCIES** - Strategic Business & Innovation Leadership - End-to-End Product Development & Commercialization - Cross-Functional Team Building & Talent Development - Regulatory Compliance & Crisis Management - M&A Integration & CAPEX Optimization - Stakeholder Communication & Partnership Building

Country

China

City

Shanghai

Industry

Dairy

Skill

Food Technology, Dairy, Food Processing, Product Development, Food Science, Food Industry, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, HACCP, Food Safety, R&D, Food, Project Management, Nutrition, Forecasting, Food Packaging, Agribusiness, Data Analysis, Food & Beverage, CRM

Experience

Associate Product Development Director

Danone

2018-4 - Present · 8 yrs 6 mos

Pudongxin District, Shanghai, China

- Led R&D strategy for China’s infant nutrition market amid rapid regulatory shifts and market expansion - Built and mentored a 10+ member product development team, improving project delivery efficiency through streamlined workflows. - Spearheaded innovation initiatives resulting in 10+ product launches - Drove M&A integration of three factories, established the R&D system and procedures ensuring the successful transformation and innovation landing

Senior Product Development Technologist

Danone

2015-1 - 2018-4 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Auckland, New Zealand

- Pioneered cross-regional product development strategies across Oceania and Asia. - Led multiple innovation projects from concept to regulatory approval, accelerating launch timelines despite the complexity of China registration requirements. - Resolved a NZD 20M plus raw material crisis by establishing a cross-functional task force, preventing product shortages and preserving market share. - Successfully introduced premium Aptamil products to the Singapore market, expanding the brand's reach and enhancing market presence.

Development Technologist

Synlait Milk Limited

2013-9 - 2015-1 · 1 yr 5 mos

Dunsandel, Canterbury

Nutritional Milk Powder Development | Spray Drying Process Improvement | Project Management | Specification Management | Technical Support for Key Accounts & New Business