Carolyn Dirnfeld
About Carolyn Dirnfeld
Carolyn Dirnfeld is a Product Developer and Manager with extensive experience in the food industry, currently working at US Foods since 2020. She specializes in seafood product development and has a background in managing shelf-stable grocery products and frozen value-added items.
Current Role at US Foods
Carolyn Dirnfeld serves as a Product Developer and Manager at US Foods, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she focuses on the development of frozen value-added grocery products, including french fries, frozen entrees, and appetizers. Her responsibilities include managing product reformulations, overseeing cost reduction initiatives, and ensuring compliance with regulatory updates. She operates from Illinois, United States, contributing to the company's product innovation and development strategies.
Previous Experience at National Fish & Seafood, Inc.
Prior to her current role, Carolyn worked at National Fish & Seafood, Inc. as a Research & Development Supervisor from 2015 to 2018. During her three years there, she was involved in the development and maintenance of seafood products, focusing on both shellfish and finfish. Her work included product reformulations and cost reduction initiatives, which contributed to the company's product offerings.
Experience at US Foods as Associate Product Developer
From 2018 to 2020, Carolyn held the position of Associate Product Developer - Seafood at US Foods. In this role, she specialized in the development of seafood products, including managing shelf-stable grocery products such as sauces and condiments. Her experience in bulk and portion control packaging was instrumental in enhancing product efficiency and marketability.
Educational Background in Food Science
Carolyn Dirnfeld studied at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Food Science from 2011 to 2015. This educational foundation provided her with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in product development and food technology. Additionally, she completed her high school education at Freehold Township High School from 2007 to 2011.
Early Career at YMCA and Lightlife Foods, Inc.
Carolyn began her career as a Senior Camp Counselor at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, where she worked from 2009 to 2012. Following this role, she spent five months at Lightlife Foods, Inc. as an Associate Food Technologist in 2014. These early experiences contributed to her development in leadership and food technology, laying the groundwork for her future roles in product development.