IN MARKET TELLING OUR STORY INDUSTRY INSIDER X Hungry for innovation When it comes to the Here, he talks to Feedback abouthow this new role is delivering perfect match, Michael Lee value through the supply chain, right back to the farm gate. (pictured) reckons you can’t go past pairing innovation Q: Q: with food. He’s always on the lookout for How did you end up working What does your role involve? opportunities for the Australian red with MLA? I lead a team who live and breathe meat industry to satisfy the appetite ofI’ve been firmly in the meat game fornew technologies. consumers, retailers and producers foralmost 25 years. It all started during myEssentially, we look at the entire food the next ‘food frontiers’. third year studying food technology,supply chain, from farm to fork, to when I completed work experience inidentify areas where innovation can Michael recently stepped into the roleWoolworths’ Quality Assurance team. of MLA’s Group Manager – Science I worked across their abattoir and bridge gaps and respond to consumer and Innovation. smallgoods sites, where I got a tastedemands through higher-value for the meat processing sector. products and services. We’re also on Michael Lee the lookout for technologies which E: mlee@mla.com.au With a food technology degree and will increase productivity and market a post-grad qualification in food access for red meat producers. Some packaging under my belt, I went on of these technologies are mentioned to work for the Woolworths Group forin ‘Red meat joins the war on waste’ eight years, followed by positions ason pages 37–38. Research and Development Manager for Hans Continental Smallgoods and Q: Commercial Manager at JBS Australia. In 2012 I joined the MLA team as a Why is your job important? Science and Technology Manager, Ultimately, we need to determine looking after value-added meats. I whether research and development then moved into a program manager investments grow demand for red meat role, leading the High Value Food and productivity for our producers. Frontiers program. My team unearth many ideas, trends Earlier this year I started an excitingand technologies but we must first new role as the Group Manager – ask, ‘should we do this’, not ‘can we Science and Innovation within do this’? MLA’s Research, Development and Adoption team. Q: What is your favourite red meat dish? Since I love my food, I’ll give you my favourite red meat dishes for different types of meals: • lunch – pulled beef brisket and gravy on a roll with dry slaw • dinner – classic roast lamb leg, mint sauce and baked vegetables • snacks – crunchy meat chips or bone broth collagen beauty bites (keep your eye out for these snacks, supported by MLA Donor Company, Above: MLA has worked with companies to develop products which value‑add red meat, such as petwhich will be hitting the supermarket treats, beef jerky, beauty creams and even 3D‑printed beef. shelves soon). ■ 46