Meet Mhairi, Senior R&D Manager, Patisserie
22 Jan 2026
I joined Puratos in May 2025, excited by the opportunity to create delicious products, bring new ideas to life, and work with a brilliant team who share the same love for innovation. Every day brings something new—and usually something tasty!
R&D and NPD at heart
I’ve worked in the food industry for 11 years, and during that time I’ve been lucky enough to gain experience across several fantastic businesses, including PepsiCo, Rich Products, Lavazza, and Rowse. My focus has always been R&D, and those roles helped me build strong foundations in the full NPD process—from early concepts right through to launch.
A highlight for me has been working closely with customers such as Starbucks and Tesco, which taught me how to translate customer needs into successful, scalable products. I originally started my journey with a degree in Food Science, which gave me the technical grounding that still supports my work today.
Leading the world of Patisserie
At Puratos, I lead our Patisserie team, which covers both fillings and dry patisserie mixes. A key part of my role is managing NPD across customers, ensuring that our developments are innovative, reliable, and perfectly aligned with what both consumers and customers are looking for. I’m also passionate about creating a supportive, creative environment where my team can thrive—because great products always start with great people.
It's about the journey and the results
Whether it’s problem‑solving, scaling up new recipes, or brainstorming the next big trend, I love being part of the journey that helps our customers succeed. My role has a direct impact on bringing innovation to life for our customers. I help guide projects from first idea to full-scale production, making sure they are safe, consistent, and exciting. One of my aims is always to dazzle and delight customers with concepts that spark their enthusiasm and help them stand out in the market.
The future is delicious
Getting to create, test, and taste patisserie items on a daily basis never gets old! It’s a blend of creativity, science, and indulgence—and it’s endlessly rewarding. In 2026 I’m particularly excited about the process control we gain with our new line. It gives us even more confidence in consistency and quality while opening up fresh opportunities for innovation. It’s a huge step forward for what we can deliver.
Favourite Puratos Product
My personal favourite has to be Cremfil Almond - it’s a classic flavour and as a water based cream filling works perfectly in pastry, keeping the flaky texture while delivering rich indulgence.
