Meet Our Technical Team

To continue this week’s ‘Meet the Team’ series, we are introducing you to some of our incredible colleagues from the food safety and technical teams, giving you an insight into their career journey with The Compleat Food Group. Today, we are proud to introduce you to our final three team members.

Meet Paraskevi Karaiskou – Agronomist & Technical Account Manager

When did you join TCFG?

I joined TCFG over 7 years ago as an Agronomy Technologist. I was brought to the business due to my broad Agricultural background, holding more than 10 years of experience in the Continent on olives, vegetables, and perennial crops.

How long have you worked in Technical?

My Technical role was built and developed side by side with my Agronomy one, as an auditor of Organic and Agri-Food systems, including food processing sites, that helped me acquire an acute quality system understanding. In joining TCFG, I undertook the challenge of establishing an Agronomy role within the business, however I quickly got involved in different accounts as well (M&S, Ocado, Aldi, Lidl, Food Service).

What made you consider a career in Technical?

As an Agronomist I was more involved in primary production and the challenges it entails. However, my interest has always been in the entire food chain, from field to fork. I found it fascinating to delve into the various processing methods used to produce different food staff. As a Technical Manager in TCFG, I was further given the opportunity to upscale the manufacturing practices of the processing sites, to better adhere to retailers Codes of Practice (CoP).

What is so great about being in Technical at TCFG?

I have been lucky enough to be involved in diverse projects having a dual role. On one hand I am creating close ties with our ring-fenced grower network, developing new schemes where necessary, and managing project ideas to effectively support responsible sourcing and sustainable supply chains, thus ensuring contingency at the required standards. On the other hand, I am constantly developing skills whilst managing different accounts. One role is feeding into the other enabling me to grow and develop professionally in many ways.

What opportunities are there within TCFG for Technical?

From day one TCFG has given me plenty of opportunities, supporting me on the way and allowing me to find my own path and place within the business. My latest endeavour has been the development and implementation of the European Farm Partnership Standard for olives (EFP-O). The latter aims to align the olive grower network in the main olive producing counties to a high level, therefore placing TCFG in a unique position in the market. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and proud of this work.

Why should you consider a career with TCFG?

TCFG is a very diverse and dynamic workplace. Every person brings something unique to the business and together we are a very strong and knowledgeable workforce. A career with TCFG to me means endless opportunities and ways of development that may even lead to different paths than ever anticipated. That alone makes the journey challenging and interesting!

Describe an average day at TCFG.

No day is the same at TCFG, as my role is very dynamic. Having a lot of seasonal raw materials in our products there are a lot of supplier visits to be organised in different times of the year, alongside customer ones. Working with our supplier’s day to day on achieving new goals is always a priority, whilst supporting the Teams across the Group, when there are Agronomy challenges, retailer requirements and queries. As a Technical Manager, I need to be on top of my products in delivering product launches to specification and against critical path. This involves liaising with NPD and Commercial functions. Completing regular detailed customer performance/KPI reports, and quarterly reviews is also required, whilst preparing sites for customer audits and ensuring all audit findings are effectively documented and closed out.

Meet Abbe Wilcox – Food Safety and Quality Technologist

When did you join TCFG?

I have been at our Poole site for the past 34 years and have seen a few owners come and go but we have been TCFG for the last 4 years.

How long have you worked in Technical?

I have been with the company 34 years in various roles.

What made you consider a career in Technical?

I wanted to work in a laboratory so my first job at our Poole site was a Lab Technician. From there I became a Lab Manager and moved into our Technical function. I have held quite a few positions in technical ranging from administrator to QA Manager.

What is so great about being in Technical at TCFG?

There is a TCFG Manufacturing Standard that promotes Technical consistency between all sites. You can always contact Group Technical or other sites for advice on how to approach certain issues.

What opportunities are there within TCFG for Technical?

I always advise people to be flexible. There are lots of different roles within Technical. QA Technicians that conduct taste panels and carry out environmental monitoring to QA Managers responsible for auditing and driving technical compliance throughout the factory. This is all backed up with technical services responsible for customer complaints, factory documentation and reports.

Why should you consider a career with TCFG?

I have seen very positive changes since we became TCFG. There is a real focus on our culture from health & wellbeing to biodiversity. Training is encouraged and communication is good.

Describe an average day at TCFG.

I start by checking any actions for me from the previous night’s production. My day then consists of mid-morning taste panels to check product quality and approving product samples for sending to customers. I also run feasibility meetings for our HACCP responsibility and check the accuracy of proposed artwork for new products.

Meet Chantella Deans – Technical Operations Director

When did you join TCFG?

I joined the business in February 2020

How long have you worked in Technical?

I have 25 years’ experience in food manufacturing and hospitality, a combination in both technical and operations.

What made you consider a career in Technical?

I went back to university in 2008 as a mature student to study Food & Nutrition at Sheffield Hallam and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to join an ambient bakery for a year’s placement as a CI Leader. This gave me insight into all the functions in food manufacturing and I knew from the off that I was destined to work in technical and take the leap from operations. The variety of roles within technical and the ability to always use the ‘grey matter’ and think on my feet really attracted me into technical.

What is so great about being in Technical at TCFG?

I am really lucky to manage such a variety of products technically. I am responsible for all aspects relating to technical in the In-House manufacturing sites. There are very few businesses with such a wide range of product categories, this really gives us the edge! I work as part of a great team, not only in technical but a large part of the role is working cross functionally and directly with customers. No day is the same! Every day brings something new. As a business we all strive to do the right thing, which is absolutely at the heart of what technical is all about.

What opportunities are there within TCFG for Technical?

There are many opportunities for a career in technical at TCFG, with such a variety in roles from factory facing, site compliance, hygiene to broader group roles, either customer facing account management, compliance and quality.

Why should you consider a career with TCFG?

We are committed to developing our technical colleagues and are proud to nurture and promote from within as well as bring in new talent. One of the best parts of my role is developing people and seeing them progress.

Describe an average day at TCFG.

There is no average day in technical! Each day brings a different focus and opportunity. The key is to be agile and to support the sites where needed.