About
I am a transatlantic food science and technology professional; however, currently working as a taxi driver in Turku, Finland because I have to. I seek professional development and career advancement in management and consulting roles in the Food Industry. I am an effective team player with 6 years of multidomain experience in the Food Science field. I am an effective communicator and I excel at collaborating with cross-disciplinary team members to deliver prime quality results.
Transatlantic Food Science Expert.
- Personal and Professional Website: www.raphaelsamson.com
- Portfolio and Project Website: www.freshgroupglobal.com
- Phone Number: +358 (40) 664 7277
- Degree: Master of Science and Technology
- Personal Email: raphaelsamson110@gmail.com
- Email: raphael.samson@freshgroupglobal.com
- Freelance: Available
- Employee position offer: Available
I have interdisciplinary food science and technology expertise in the domain of food processing, food safety and food quality management systems, food chemistry and biochemistry, food microbiology, nutrition, sensory evaluation, food development and food engineering. My training has developed my expertise in several areas of food process technology, including and not limited to cereal technology, brewing, baking, winemaking, fruit juice development and manufacturing, dairy product development and manufacturing, quality control and preservation of agricultural produce.
I can apply knowledge from other engineering fields, including chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, process and engineering drawing, and mathematics in my endeavours. This makes me effective in working together with engineers in other fields in collaborative work and projects.
Skills
My skills highlighted here were earned from my educational background, pieces of training, work, and life experiences.
Resume
Food science and technology expert, currently working as a taxi driver in Turku, Finland. He skilled in the domain of food processing, food chemistry, food development, food quality and food safety management system, food engineering, food innovation research and development. Humble, reliable, creative, collaborative, and driven.
Summary
Raphael Samson
Raphael is an effective communicator and excel at collaborating with cross-functional team members to deliver prime quality results.
- Turku – Finland.
- Phone number: +358 (40) 664 7277.
- raphaelsamson110@gmail.com
- raphael.samson@freshgroupglobal.com
Education and training
Professional degree of Expertise in planning and launching business operations
2021
The Finnish Institute for Enterprise Management (In Finnish: Suomen Yrittäjäopisto Oy)
Master of Science & Technology in Food Development
2016 - 2018
University of Turku, Finland
Master's thesis title:The fundamental effect of ingredients on the pasting and retrogradation properties of tapioca and corn starch in excess and limited water solvation medium.
Please click to read short article on EuroFoodChem conference 2017
Please click to download and read published master's thesis work
Please click to download and read published master's thesis poster
Please click to read article on master's thesis
Bachelor of Science in Food Science & Technology
2010-2016
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
Bachelor's thesis title:The engineering properties of maize, millet and sorghum ogi.
- Developed an idea for elongating the shelf life of a well know and consumed staple food in west Africa-Nigeria, called Ogi, which was sold on wet basis.
- Carried out a proximate analysis of a different variety of Ogi samples.
- Compared different drying kinetics and I was able to conclude on the most suitable dehydration method for the types of Ogi samples investigated.
- Developed a standard unit operation flow aimed at industrialization of powdered maize, millet and sorghum Ogi. This serves as blueprint for the standard of operation for the industrial powdered Ogi production.
- The project made data available for predicting, designing and selecting appropriate equipment for industrialization and commercialization of different variety of powdered Ogi.
- Developed different recipes and created different flavours of maize, millet and sorghum Ogi.
West African Senior Secondary Certificate (WASSC)
National Examination Council (NECO)
2002 - 2008
Saint Gregory’s College Ikoyi Lagos State, Nigeria
Career related professional experience
TRANSATLANTIC FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY EXPERT | PORTFOLIO MANAGER | INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
June, 2022 - Present, 2024
Freshgroup - Company website : www.freshgroupglobal.com
Fresh Group is a private company established in Finland in June 2022. The main business activities of Fresh Group company are food quality and safety consultation service, Airbnb rental and taxi service.
- Managing the operations and projects of a company with a business value proposition of creating food safety and quality solutions. Partnering with food and beverage SMEs in Europe, Canada, Africa, and the United States of America with food quality and food safety compliance and due diligence.
- Developing operation and project plans with established timelines for project integral phases. Delegating tasks to appropriate team members. Managing workflow and project schedule to achieve timely milestone delivery.
- Overseeing food businesses’ food safety root cause analysis and gathering compliance requirements.
- Communicating with national and transnational food safety authorities, and food business networks.
- Conducting Global Food Safety Initiatives (GFSI) audits, as well as consulting for food businesses on GFSI standards.
- Consulting and performing food safety and quality Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audit.
- Consulting and helping food and beverage companies conduct food safety gap analysis.
- Consult, train, and coach client companies on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
- Helping companies develop their food safety plans by the requirement of the United States'Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
- Helping clients comply with self-monitoring, due diligence and HACCP requirements of the European Food Safety Legislation and the Finnish Food Safety Act.
- Working with client companies to resolve food safety complaints and prevent food safety recalls.
- Performing food safety traceability and recall plan.
- Consulting and conducting mock food safety recalls.
- Helping food and beverage establishments with expert witnessing in the court of law during legal actions and litigation.
- Delivering precise reports and maintaining strong customer communication and relationships.
PROJECT RESEARCHER
October 2019- December, 2022
Please watch project video
Food Chemistry and Food Development Unit, University of Turku, Finland
Macroalgae cultivation could facilitate nutrient uptake from the Baltic Sea and simultaneously produce sustainable raw materials while solving the problem of eutrophication. The Growing Algae Sustainably as Source of Food and Feed project (Acronym: GRASS project) was an EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region (BSR) program aimed at building capacity for unlocking the potential of using macroalgae as sustainable biomass for food, feed cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Collaborated with University professors, post-doctoral researchers, and other partners of the GRASS project consortium to convey the scope of work, milestones, deadlines, regulatory compliance, and potential challenges, as well as opportunities throughout the project timeline.
- Developed research plan for the creation of a novel methodology (research protocol) for phlorotannin (Polyphenol) research from selected Baltic Sea macroalgae species, Fucus vesiculosus.
- Managed Scientific laboratory experiments and achieved a reproducible breakthrough result in Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) experiment with over 86 % phlorotannin recovery.
- Produced technical activity reports for project partners.
- Co-authored and published work group research reports and policy papers.
The knowledge and capability developed from the GRASS project outputs are utilized in the development of an algae-based blue bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea Region, supporting economic growth for coastal municipals via sustainable aquaculture, as well as new food product development.
Food Safety Expert
November 2018- September, 2019
Nestlé Finland
- Managed the technical food safety internal audit and hazard analysis for the Turku baby food factory supply and production chain.
- Performed data analysis of companies’ customer complaints inputs to verify risk activities. Data analysis helped in fast-tracking the traceability of products and batches with quality deviations.
- Administered root cause investigation of mould-proliferated products/brands. The Lean Six Sigma methodology (DMAIC), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP) were utilized. The success of the food safety audit program involved collaboration with cross-functional colleagues.
- Utilized the European Food laws provided by the European Food Safety Authorities (EFSA) in deciding on the analytical measures required for plant food safety compliance and food safety management systems.
- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides European food safety information similar to that for the United States.
- Successfully managed projects where the results were an optimized production process, properly trained workers, effective & and effective implementation of corrective actions, better closed-loop learning process, 95% reduction in customer complaints and significantly saving Nestle Finland several millions of Euros in product loss and recall.
Project Lead
March 2018- November, 2018
Nestlé Finland
- Headed the research team responsible for carrying out scientific and technical investigations to understand the cause of textural organoleptic inconsistencies of finished puree-starch-based baby food products.
- Utilized Gas Chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) to quantify and analyse the sugars and acids of selected baby food products to prepare starch model solutions needed to simulate baby food cooking environment.
- Administered the investigation of pasting and retrogradation properties used in the production of selected baby food products with the aid of a rapid visco analyzer (RVA).
- Food quality deviations (quality problems) were corrected by the cooking models created (i.e., project results) that serve as the blueprint for the optimization of process operations and product development. The success of the project rebranded selected baby food products and generated over 15 million Euros in sales from the selected baby food product line in the year 2019.
Please click to download and read published master's thesis work
Please click to read article on thesis published on The professional and scientific journal of the Food Science Society
FUND RAISER AND TEAM LEADER
August 2017 - November 2018
UNICEF Finland
- Managed the Turku team in making pitches and presentations to raise emergency funds for UNICEF programmes around the world, both for the protection of children and for UNICEF's longer-term work.
- Orchestrated training, promotions programs and workshops for team members.
- Structured shift coordination and systematically supervised the team during working hours.
ASSISTANT PROJECT RESEARCHER
May 2017- August, 2017
University of Turku, Finland
- Contributed to laboratory experiments on biological tissues of healthy male Sprague Dawley rats that have undergone bioassay.
- Administered Lipid extraction, methylation and quantification and qualification with the aid of Gas Chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID).
- Engineered data analysis of experiment results from the GC-FID.
- Desseminated research outcomes in collaboration with University Professors, and other industry stakeholders. Research findings were presented at the Food Chemistry and Food Development science research seminar.
Please click to read published article from research project
Brewing Trainee
March- June, 2015
Heineken Breweries, Plc., Lagos brewery
- Trained in the operations and management of the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic malted beverages.
Testimonials
Raphael was attached to our brewing department where he was exposed to both theoretical and practical aspects of brewing operations. We found him to be diligent in his duties.
Marie Sebatigita
Human resource business partner
I had the privilege to work with Raphael in F2F Fundraising. Raphael was always enthusiastic, passioned about the cause, persistent and focused. Also, he was easy to work with as he learned quickly, followed all the instructions and was very respectful towards his colleagues and the potential donors. While Raphael took his work seriously, he didn’t lack sense of humour. Raphael is a kind, driven and intelligent person and I am sure he will be successful in every task he undertakes and wish him all the best for future endeavours.
Sirja Seppä
F2F Support and F2F Recruitment Coordinator, UNICEF Finland
I was impressed by Raphael’s ability to handle any situation calmly and patiently as a team leader, specifically when the fundraising team was underperforming. His natural skill of providing constructive criticism to advance individual performance was noteworthy. He also made sure that no one leaves the intense work session without a smile and such professional dedication of him is truly applause-worthy!
Najmus Sayeed
Former Coordinator at Suomen UNICEF,UNICEF Finland
Now Legal and Compliance Professional at Finnplay.
Raphael managed an incredible work performance with 24 fulfilled pledge donors, the highest in the entire campaign. From the office team we wish to extend a massive thank you to Raphael for his incredible work.
Joel Nelson
Finnish UNICEF Face to Face manager
Raphael was very hard working and proactive in all his duties. He was always keen to learn new things and increase his knowledge.
Raphael was also appointed to carry out an investigation as part of the mould reduction project. The work included data analysis, risk evaluation and identification of the possible issues. The DMAIC tool was applied in this work, which he utilized well to comprise the major subjects in baby food manufacturing process. Raphael showed great punctuality in project scheduling and systematic working skills to finalize the project in time. His observations were comprehensive and showed good ability in creative thinking.
Marko Silanterä
Production manager at Nestle Finland
Raphael is an asset to any team he belongs. As a student, he served in the student association diligently. He does not shy away from responsibilities. He served as an alumnus on the LOC for the 50th anniversary of the department. He was one of the few invited to serve. He was amazing in coordination, fundraising and getting things done. I see him going places in the future.
Kehinde Taiwo
Professor of Food Processing, Food and Agricultural Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University
Raphael conducted his thesis research in collaboration with Nestlé's production facility in Turku. His insights and contributions were invaluable in optimizing the production processes, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency in the commercial production of baby food.
Raphael is not only a skilled researcher, but also a great team player and communicator. He collaborated effectively with students, researchers, and industry partners during his thesis project. He always delivered his tasks on time and with high quality. He also presented his results clearly and convincingly to different audiences, both verbally and in writing. He has a passion for learning and innovation, and he possesses a rare natural curiosity to delve deeply into new subjects and acquire comprehensive knowledge.
Jani Trygg
Advanced Data Scientist
Research & Development at PAROC Group / Owens Corning
Raphael helped our Food Safety and Quality Management team to identify root causes for mould consumer complaints. He has finalised also his master thesis for us.
As a person Raphael is very positive and sunny and especially polite.
If you consider hiring Raphael as expert for Quality team or other similar kind of specialist or expert roles I can clearly recommend to do so. I believe he will deliver what is agreed always with a caring attitude.
Sari Miettinen-Rantala
Factory Manager at Nestlé Turku
I have had the distinct privilege of mentoring Raphael. His calm demeanour, self-motivation, and Midas touch of excellence make him a beacon of inspiration in the Food Science and Technology Industry. With little need for supervision, Raphael's innate ability to tackle seemingly impossible tasks ensures that deadlines are met, and objectives are exceeded.
Raphael's intelligence is unparalleled, complemented by impeccable analytical and communication skills that shine brightly. His command of the English language is exemplary, reflecting his passion for effective communication and knowledge sharing.
Approving Raphael is not just an acknowledgment of his accomplishments but an investment in a future marked by innovation, excellence, and compassion. With Raphael on your side, you are assured of nothing less than brilliance and transformation.
Olori Ademola
Operations Manager at UAC Foods Limited, Lagos Nigeria
Raphael's dedication to excellence and continuous professional development is evident through their pursuit of additional degree and certifications and ongoing participation in relevant conferences and seminars. His commitment to staying updated on the latest advancements and industry trends showcases his determination to excel in his field and contribute to the overall improvement of food safety practices. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Raphael at his Food Safety Consultation start-up. Throughout our professional collaboration, he has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of food safety regulations, standards, and best practices. He has displayed a remarkable ability to analyse complex food safety issues and devise practical and effective solutions. His attention to detail, analytical mindset, and commitment to excellence have made a significant impact on the success of our projects.
Ewaoluwa Ojo
Quality Manager at Dani Organic Foods Ltd., United Kingdom
Contact Us. Thank you.
Location:
Turku, Finland.
Personal Email:
Work Email:
Call:
+358 (40) 664-7277