Irene Luna Guzman

About Irene Luna Guzman

Senior food scientist with broad expertise in R&D, intellectual property management, and open innovation supporting short and long-term innovation goals. An effective leader and collaborator in matrix organizations, I enjoy working with cross-functional executional and leadership teams.Representative achievements,• Consulted on IP Strategy and Freedom to Operate Best Practices to R&D, Procurement and Innovation leaders in Fortune 100 companies• Led a cross-functional start-up team to create a business plan, winning second place in CSULB’s Innovation Challenge • Directed a global team to manage Mars Food IP program via patent filings, trade secret capture and/or contracts, supporting internal and open innovation, protecting global and local brands, achieving 25% budget savings per year• Elevated Mars Food global IP program from tactical to strategic, by embedding it in the stage gate process resulting in aligned IP, technology and business strategies, protecting intangible assets of a $2B business• As member of Mars Food\'s Scientific Advisory Committee, I advised on strategic direction with respect to IP, scientific research and technology landscapes on long term research programs and technology platforms• Led development and implementation of 3 IP strategies on signature crop and technology platforms, enabling internal innovation strategy and open innovation programs• Advised Procurement, Marketing and Supply teams on technical aspects reducing risks in multiple contracts supporting R&D initiatives• Deployed and utilized open innovation tools in collaboration with global R&D leaders, internal stakeholders, academia and external partners, training and coaching associates.• Developed and/or commercialized almost 100 new products and line extensions from concept to national launch• Launched a 3-year Learning and Development strategy delivering 21 courses for R&D associatesAREAS OF EXPERTISEIP Management | Research and Development | Open Innovation | Competitive Intelligence | Technology Scouting and Deep DivesLEADERSHIP SKILLSStrategy Development and Implementation | Remote Management | Cross-functional collaboration | Talent Development | MentoringCORE TECHNICAL EXPERTISEShelf-stable foods | Cereal processing | Fruit and vegetable processing | Post-harvest technology

Experience

1. Science and Technology Commercialization Manager

   Mars

   May 2023 — Present

Education

• University of California, Davis

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Food Science emphasis

• Centro Universitario Anglo Mexicano (CUAM)

  Highschool

• University of California, Davis

  Master of Science (M.S.), Food Science

• Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana

  B.S., Food Engineering (Ingeniería de los Alimentos)

Skills

• Strategy
• Leadership
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Intellectual Property Management
• Intellectual Asset Management
• Fmcg
• Food Industry
• Food Science
• Food Processing
• R&D
• Product Innovation
• Product Development
• Food Manufacturing
• Sensory Evaluation
• Food Safety
• Management
• Food Technology
• Continuous Improvement
• Manufacturing
• Customer Insight
• Consumer Products
• Quality Assurance
• Haccp
• Food
• Sharepoint
• Microsoft Office
• Gmp
• Patbase
• Project Management
• Program Management
• Strategic Planning
• Microsoft Excel
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Customer Service
• Competitive Analysis
• Research
• Process Improvement
• Ingredients
• Research and Development (R&D)
• Learning and Development