A day in the life of a technical accounts lead

Name

Mehdi Adjiri

Age​

42

Job title

Group head of technical accounts (in-house)

Company and location

The Compleat Food Group, London

Education

MSc in Food Science

Favourite food/drink

Sushi and coffee

What inspired you to enter F&B?

My parents were both university lecturers in agronomy and I was immersed very early on in the universe of life sciences. I knew I wanted to make a career in a field related to life sciences, but I was not entirely sure what that would be. I was lucky enough that the university I went to offer a first term that mixes food science and agronomy/agricultural sciences. That enabled me to make up my mind and choose my path as a food scientist. I was very interested in the process and microbiology sides of food manufacturing.

Tell us about your role

I am responsible for the day-to-day technical management of my nominated retailers accounts. I support the various UK sites to deliver the business and technical strategies, whilst driving compliance with food safety and quality standards through a collaborative approach. I interact with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally. I help drive continuous improvement through action plans involving all key actors throughout the supply chain – growers/farms, supply base, factories and customers.

What does a typical day look like?

At the risk of sound cheeky, there is no such a thing as a typical day! However, there is a certain routine around which I build my activities:

• Various meetings to track progress on action plans, delivery of NPD/EPD, regular touchpoints with internal stakeholders and customers
• Writing and answering emails, phone calls etc…
• Factory visits
• Meeting with customers at their offices
• Working on short-, medium- and long-term objectives delivery and re-alignment based on progress or new challenges

How did you get to where you are today?

I would say it is a combination of the indefectible support from my wife and family, hard work and commitment, great managers and mentors, detailed career-planning, having a good network in the industry and a bit of luck.

I believe having set myself clear milestones to achieve in my career helped map out my path and what I needed to learn to get there. Having supportive people in my personal life and at work has been a great enabler for my achieving a rather successful career – if may say so myself!

When you’re having a bad day, what cheers you up?

My son always brings a smile to my face: either seeing him or thinking about him. Spending time with my wife and just having a coffee and a chat is a great way for me to cheer up. Some leisurely activities also help me decompress and chill out like watching TV (I love police procedurals), reading or some gaming (I am an avid Playstation fan!).

What’s your favourite part about the food sector?

The best part is the people, across the supply chain and at all levels. I am always amazed at the complexity of our industry and how we manage to run such an efficient, compliant sector that keeps people fed and happy! I thought Covid was the great defining moment of our generation where people from all walks of life got to see what critical a role everyone in the industry, from farm to the shop, plays in delivering safe, great quality food at affordable prices.

If you could change one thing about the F&B sector what would it be?

I would change the negative perception that consumers tend to have of our sector and recognise that we do an excellent job at providing safe, good quality and affordable food that is always on the shelf when the consumer needs it. I feel our industry tends to be often demonised and misrepresented by the media that oversimplify some very complex topics and dynamics: ultra-processed foods are the latest one!

What’s next for you/what’s the dream?

Retire next year in Southern France or Tuscany! Until then, I see my next step as reaching a technical director role where I could truly shape a company’s technical strategy and be a key player in steering and influencing the technical dynamics and priorities in our industry.