Umar Abdullahi

Shelf Studies Assistant at Guelph Food Innovation Center

Assist with food product formulation and refinement for small and emerging food businesses; conduct pH, microbial, and shelf-life testing to support food safety, quality, and market readiness; support sensory evaluations and interpret feedback to guide product improvements; prepare detailed shelf-life and technical reports for clients and internal teams; collaborate with entrepreneurs, researchers, and staff to support product development from concept to implementation.

Production Co-ordinator at Maple Lodge Farms

Assisted in developing and updating SOPs for poultry processing equipment; shadowed operators and maintenance teams to gain knowledge of equipment operation, workstation setup, and plant organization; collaborated with operators and supervisors across departments to understand protocols and suggest process improvements; supported production scheduling and reinforced safety and quality standards on the plant floor.

Application Technologist at Ingredion East Africa

Developed and optimized formulations for new food products, including yogurts, juices, and sauces, enhancing product quality and meeting customer specifications; conducted sensory evaluations and collaborated with cross-functional teams to refine formulations and address customer feedback; documented technical work and communicated project results internally and externally; participated in Africa’s largest food exhibition, gaining insights and expanding professional networks; analyzed product development processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

International Recruitment and Admission Assistant at Admission Office, University of Guelph

Guided prospective international students through the application and admission processes, fostering relationships and supporting enrollment; managed data entry systems (Slate and Colleague) ensuring accurate documentation and efficient workflow; conducted outreach campaigns using applicant data to improve engagement and recruitment efforts; organized and managed high-volume application emails and outreach projects under tight deadlines.