Available to hire
Innovation & Formulation Technician and Master Chocolatier with extensive R&D experience from idea to MVP across dairy and plant-based products, upcycled ingredients, baby food, and high-protein chocolate and confectionery. Known for leading teams, rapid prototyping, and technical tastings with high quality and reliability.
Founded and scaled a successful chocolate start-up recognized with multiple gold medals and major awards, while also building an internal “Creative Kitchen” with HACCP and participating in major certifications. Experienced in workshop facilitation, consumer/trend analysis, and structured innovation processes delivering international products.
Skills
Language
German
Fluent
English
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner
French
Beginner
Work Experience
Innovation & Formulation Technician R&D at Nestlé, NPTC Konolfingen
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2025Supported R&D and new product development from ideation to MVP using rapid prototyping and technical tastings. Developed concepts across dairy and plant-based products, upcycled ingredients, baby food, and high-protein chocolate/confectionery. Set up and managed a “Creative Kitchen” for demonstrations and VIP catering, including HACCP hygiene/quality/safety procedures, and contributed to certifications (FSSC 22000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001). Performed competitive/consumer insights benchmarking and translated findings into concept directions for global innovation pipelines.
Self-Employed
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020Published 3 chocolate art books; worked independently on content creation and chocolate-related creative output.
Senior Confiseur R&D at The Chocolate Centre of Excellence, Nestlé
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2018Led R&D activities focused on chocolate development and technical refinement, contributing to innovation work and prototyping activities within Nestlé’s chocolate excellence environment.
Head Chocolatier / Pastry Consultant at Zokoko, Australia
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2013Provided pastry leadership and consulting; supported product/service development and high-level chocolatier craftsmanship in client and internal contexts.
Co-Founder / Chocolate Consultant at Edible Art Consulting
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2010Co-founded and consulted in chocolate and specialty projects.
Various Pastry Consultant and Chef positions (Chief of Production, Divan Hotel and Pastries) at MS Europa; Raffles Hotel (SG); Palace Hotel (Gstaad); Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island); Divan Hotel and Pastries (Istanbul)
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 2009Held multiple chef/pastry consultant roles across hospitality and cruise settings. In Istanbul, served as Chief of Production for hotel divisions and pastries, overseeing production operations, recipes, and team delivery.
Confectioner Stagiaire at Confiserie Sprüngli, Zurich
January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1995Apprenticeship/stage as a confectioner in a premium Swiss chocolate and confectionery environment.
Education
Master’s degree of Art & Design (with diploma) at Polytechnic Institute Ortwein (HTL), Austria
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2005Entrepreneurial Exam (Highest grade) at Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WIFI), Austria
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2002Master’s degree of Pastries and Confiserie at Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WIFI), Austria
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1994Teaching Credential for Apprentices at Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WIFI), Austria
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1994Qualifications
Food Safety Manager Certification (FSMC)
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2010WACS Global Master Chef Certification
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2000The Accelerator Approach (Nestlé)
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Growth Hacking and Digital Experimentation (Global R&D) (Nestlé)
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Food Technology & Material Sciences (Global R&D) (Nestlé)
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023The Ultimate Pitch (Nestlé)
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023DNTC - Dairy, Nutrition and Technology Course with Diploma (Nestlé)
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022Understanding Customer needs (Harvard Business School)
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022Leading Innovation (Stanford Business School)
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021Industry Experience
Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Education, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality, Other
Skills
Hire a Product Designer
We have the best product designer experts on Twine. Hire a product designer in Vevey today.