J. Emilio Villarreal
About J. Emilio Villarreal
J. Emilio Villarreal serves as the Director of Technical Services at Bragg Live Food Products, LLC, where he has worked since 2019. With a background in product development and quality assurance, he has held various roles in the food industry, including positions at Mars, DOLE Fresh Vegetables, and organicgirl.
Work at Bragg Live Food Products
J. Emilio Villarreal has served as the Director of Technical Services at Bragg Live Food Products, LLC since 2019. In this role, he manages a team of over five direct and indirect reports within the technical services department. His responsibilities include developing quality assurance programs to ensure product and packaging quality from all vendors. Villarreal plays a key role in market research for new formulas and products, collaborating with manufacturing partners to establish quality specifications and product parameters.
Previous Experience in Food Industry
Before joining Bragg Live Food Products, Villarreal held various positions in the food industry. He worked at Mars as a Production Manager in the Hard Candy Division for 11 months in 2002. He also spent several years at DOLE Fresh Vegetables, where he served as Product Development Manager from 2010 to 2012, Senior Product Development Manager from 2013 to 2015, and Product Development Scientist from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, he worked at organicgirl as Research and Development Director from 2015 to 2019.
Education and Expertise
J. Emilio Villarreal holds a Master of Science (MS) in Postharvest and Food Science and Technology from Texas A&M University, where he studied from 2003 to 2006. He also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Food Industry Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey, completing his studies from 1997 to 2002. His educational background supports his expertise in product development and quality assurance within the food industry.
Research and Development Experience
Villarreal's experience in research and development includes a role as a Research Assistant at Texas A&M University from 2003 to 2006. He has implemented organizational processes and tools to facilitate the introduction of new products to the market. His work involves conducting market research, including in-home usage tests (IHUTs) and consumer liking tests (CLTs), to inform product development strategies.