Ana Macedo
Gent
Summary
Personal Care specialist with 12+ years of experience in multinational B2B environments, combining deep formulation expertise with product innovation, data analysis, and market-driven strategy. Strongly customer-driven and known for building close, trust-based relationships with global partners, including major FMCG (B2C) players. Passionate about translating technical insights into meaningful value for customers, ensuring customer satisfaction, while driving opportunities in collaboration with cross-functional teams such as Marketing, Sales, and Regulatory. Multilingual (Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, currently learning Dutch) and energized by international collaboration within the cosmetics industry.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Technical Services Manager - Personal Care
Eastman
Ghent
02.2021 - Current
- Lead technical support for Eastman's existing Personal Care portfolio, serving as the primary technical contact for global customers.
- Collaborate closely with Regulatory, Marketing, Business Development Managers, Sales, and distributors to ensure customer satisfaction and deliver integrated solutions.
- Conduct customer training sessions across regions to strengthen product understanding and application expertise.
- Deliver technical presentations to customers in partnership with Marketing and Sales teams.
- Represent Eastman at industry conferences and tradeshows, presenting product benefits, innovations, and application insights.
- Provide technical training internally to cross-functional teams and externally to distributors in EU, AP, and the Americas.
- Act as Technical Lead in internal innovation projects.
- Develop prototypes for multiple application areas, including hair care, hair styling, color cosmetics, and skin care. Create new formulations for key tradeshows and offer on-site technical support during events.
- Participate in strategic portfolio discussions to define pipeline priorities and long-term innovation direction.
- Support Sales in achieving commercial targets by contributing technical insights, managing opportunities, and participating in key customer engagements.
- Utilize CRM tools for call reports, opportunity tracking, and alignment with commercial teams.
- Track market trends and competitive activity using tools such as Mintel and Euromonitor.
- Recognized for a strong customer-driven mindset and passion for engaging directly with customers.
- Provided global technical support for the Personal Care portfolio across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.
R&D Senior Specialist
Cargill
Campinas
02.2020 - 12.2020
- Managed LATAM R&D tools and processes, executing data analysis and reporting while facilitating cross-team support for Food (B2B and B2C) and Personal Care (B2B) businesses.
- Successfully led the implementation of a global R&D (PLM) system in the LATAM region, meeting strict deadlines and coordinating deliverables across multiple teams, including R&D (Application and Product Development), Regulatory, EHS, Marketing, IT, and Business Leadership.
- Recognized by the global project leader as the region that exceeded expectations, delivering beyond the initial scope and demonstrating strong team engagement and hands-on execution.
- Enhanced LATAM data analysis reports by integrating information from project management tools and resource timesheets; collaborated with IT to automate data workflows using Power BI.
Personal Care Senior Application Specialist
Cargill
Campinas
05.2019 - 02.2020
- Managed global and regional projects focused on developing new formulations using Cargill's Beauty portfolio, including natural texturizers, emollients (natural oils), rheology modifiers, sensory enhancers, and emulsifiers.
- Supported the creation of formulation guidelines in collaboration with global R&D teams across NA, EU, and AP.
- Tested and applied new experimental raw materials in various Personal Care applications.
- Conducted market and trend research using Mintel GNPD to support innovation and customer discussions.
- Performed stability studies and in-vitro sensory evaluations using hair tresses.
- Oversaw laboratory operations, including inventory management, product registration, imports, 5S practices, and HSE compliance.
- Participated in customer visits to provide technical support and strengthen relationships.
- Represented the company at industry fairs and conferences such as In-Cosmetics.
- Delivered technical training to internal teams (commercial and distributors) and external customers.
- Contributed to the development of global Personal Care guidelines, delivering impactful hair care formulations.
- Supported the regional commercial team by initiating a body oils (body care) formulation database.
- Recognized by Cargill for strong performance and results, leading to a transition from a temporary third-party role to a permanent position.
Home & Personal Care Researcher
Solvay
Campinas
09.2014 - 04.2018
- Led local and global projects across multiple Personal Care categories, including hair care, body care, skin care, and sun care, ensuring alignment with customer needs.
- Supported select Home Care projects, primarily in laundry (softeners).
- Managed projects using Salesforce and contributed to innovation initiatives.
- Developed formulations for internal and external customers across LATAM and global regions.
- Conducted stability studies for applications and raw materials, and explored new uses for existing ingredients.
- Collaborated with the synthesis team on tech transfers, new product development, and process improvements.
- Performed instrumental analyses (Dia-Stron, DropShape, rheometer, viscometer) and worked closely with the Analytical team.
- Executed sensory testing using globally harmonized protocols, including in-vitro (hair tresses and mannequin) and in-vivo (hair salon) evaluations.
- Participated in global projects in partnership with NA, EU, and APAC teams.
- Conducted market research using Mintel and Euromonitor to support innovation and customer discussions.
- Managed laboratory operations, including CAPEX planning, inventory control, 5S, HSE compliance, and SAP requests.
- Delivered technical training to internal teams, particularly commercial teams.
- Prepared for and participated in cosmetics fairs, including poster presentations.
- Conducted customer visits to provide technical support and strengthen relationships.
- Built a comprehensive database for Solvay's conditioning agents portfolio, developing more than 100 formulations (single-agent and multi-agent systems). This work positioned the LATAM region as Solvay's global Hair Conditioner Center, serving as a reference for other regions.
- Awarded First Prize for this project within the LATAM region.
- Received extensive training in Hair Care Sensory Analysis at Solvay's Hair Care Center in Paris, France.
Education
Postgraduate degree - Cosmetic Marketing Management
Universitat De Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain12.2018
Bachelor of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Universidade Estadual De Campinas
Campinas, Brazil08.2014
Bachelor of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Universidad Complutense De Madrid
Madrid, Spain12.2013
Skills
- Technical assistance
- Formulation development
- Product innovation
- Market research and trend analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Customer satisfaction and engagement
- Project management and CRM tools
- Data analysis
- Collaborative teamwork
- Presentation at conferences and trade shows
Languages
Portuguese
Native
Native
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Spanish
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Elementary (A2)
A2
Dutch
Elementary (A2)
A2
Accomplishments
Solvay Way Excellence Award - 1st place for Hair Conditioner Center in Brazil
Timeline
Senior Technical Services Manager - Personal Care
Eastman
02.2021 - Current
R&D Senior Specialist
Cargill
02.2020 - 12.2020
Personal Care Senior Application Specialist
Cargill
05.2019 - 02.2020
Home & Personal Care Researcher
Solvay
09.2014 - 04.2018
Postgraduate degree - Cosmetic Marketing Management
Universitat De Barcelona
Bachelor of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Universidade Estadual De Campinas
Bachelor of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Universidad Complutense De Madrid