Calum Fraser

Experience

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  Pfizer

  Aug 2005 - Aug 2006

  Research Organic Chemist

  Working in Veterinary Medicine Research & Development, this role required synthesis of a series of novel compounds which were analogues of a naturally occurring, biologically active compound.

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  AstraZeneca

  Apr 2009 - Jul 2009

  Research Organic Chemist (PhD Placement)

  Further experience of carrying out R&D in an industrial setting in the context my of PhD research.

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  Diageo

  Feb 2011 - Apr 2016

  I formed part of the management team responsible for teams of highly-skilled and experienced operators working within operations at Blackgrange bond, where approximately 20,000 casks moves are made every week.This site comprises both the world's largest warehousing complex of maturing Scotch whisky (in excess of 3 million casks) and Scotch whisky cask disgorging facility (disgorging up to 16,000 casks per week). In addition I was responsible for warehousing operations at a further four satellite sites that form part of Diageo maturing Scotch whisky footprint.Responsibilities of this role include:• Management responsibility for a large workforce (>50).• The embedding of a positive Health & Safety culture across operations.• Operations adhere to HMRC, Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality legislation - to both external and Diageo's internal standards.• Management of change, including the implementation of lean manufacturing tools in order to drive supply chain efficiency (e.g. Continuous Improvement, 5S, Root Cause Analysis)• On-time delivery of high quality Scotch whisky (single malt, single grain and blended) to our customers - Diageo's bottling halls at Shieldhall and Leven. Show less Whisky Creator (specifically in Blended Scotch whiskies), Technical Specialist & Sensory Expert.----------(i) Developed blended Scotch whisky products as part of Diageo's innovation agenda, creating new variants for internationally renowned brands; for example Johnnie Walker, Old Parr, White Horse & Windsor.Examples Include:• Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection The Adventurer, Spice Road, Gold Route, Royal Route• Johnnie Walker Select Casks - Rye Cask Finish• Johnnie Walker The Commemorative 1920 Edition• Johnnie Walker Master Blender's Collection • John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2014 Edition – ‘Unique Smoky Blend’, 2015 Edition – ‘Rare Fruit Character’, 2016 Edition - 'Fine Honeyed Layers' The 2015 Edition received "Best Blended Scotch - No Age Statement"​ award at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition (ISC) 2015.• Old Parr Silver• Windsor Black Received a Silver Medal at the San Francisco ISC 2014.Responsibilities in this role included the development and creation of blended Scotch whiskies ranging from those in the deluxe & luxury segments of the market. The latter included both limited editions and bespoke blends. Consistent delivery of these liquids against often demanding timelines required management across cross-functional teams (including marketing, inventory, warehousing & bottling hall operations) in order to deliver a suitable liquid against market expectations; but also a cost-effective & (where required) sustainable one.(ii) Responsibility for all maturing stock initiatives & analysis.This included overseeing the auditing of new wood entering our warehouses, investigating novel cask maturation processes and fully implementing changes within aspects of our wood quality management strategy.(iii) Regularly deliver technical presentations & whisky tastings to a variety of audiences. Delivered whisky tastings at the Johnnie Walker 'Symphony in Blue' event, September 2014. Show less

  • Business Leader

    Apr 2015 - Apr 2016

  • Whisky Specialist

    Nov 2011 - Mar 2015

  • Project Scientist

    Feb 2011 - Nov 2011
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  Chivas Brothers

  Apr 2016 - Jan 2020

  Had responsibility for a team of talented Scotch whisky blenders, primarily ensuring:(i) All new make distillate created or procured by Chivas Brothers is of the correct specification prior to filling into wood(ii) Consistently high quality whiskies are created and blended together to serve expressions across Chivas Brothers extensive Scotch whisky portfolio (notable examples include Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, The Glenlivet, Aberlour)(iii) Creation of new expressions to existing and new whisky families to support Pernod Ricard's New Product Development ambition. See attached photographs for examples of whiskies created Show less Worked as Chivas Regal blender in newly enhanced Chivas Regal Blending team, reporting directly to Director of Blending Sandy HyslopResponsibilities include:- (i) Development and implementation of new whisky expressions as part of Chivas Brothers’ New Product Development (NPD) agenda. This is across blended, blended malt and single malt products within the portfolioDevelopment includes creation of recipe, ensuring the sustainability of the whisky recipe in-line with market forecasts, co-ordination of pre-release samples ahead of first production and liaising with marketing/brand teams in creation unique selling points of expressions.Recent Examples include:• Chivas Regal XV• Royal Salute 28 Year Old Kew Garden Edition• The Glenlivet Captain's Reserve• Aberlour Casg Annamh(ii) Work with the teams based at our fourteen malt distilleries and one grain distillery to ensure consistently high spirit quality, within the requirements to support Chivas Brothers’ Scotch whisky portfolio(iii) Work with inventory to ensure on-going spirit quality is maintained in-line with stock profile annually(iv) Development of the company’s wood policy through investigating novel maturation process that could be applied to existing or new product development(v) Sensory analysis of Scotch whisky samples across the supply chain to ensure quality is within required specification. This includes:• New make spirit prior to filling into cask• Mature cask and vat samples prior to bottling• Bottling samples(vi) Technical support to the other parts of the business for proposed changes to ways of working that involve Scotch whisky(vii) Brand Ambassador for Chivas Brothers’ Scotch whisky brands worldwide at select events, particularly Chivas Regal. Show less

  • Blending Manager

    Oct 2018 - Jan 2020

  • Blender & Spirit Quality Leader

    Apr 2016 - Oct 2018
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  Edrington

  Jan 2020 - Apr 2022

  Master Blender, The Famous Grouse

  Quality custodian for The Famous Grouse blended Scotch whisky portfolio.Role encompassed:(i) Overview of Sensory Analysis - Ensuring new make malt and grain distillate created within Edrington or from 3rd party trading partners meets the specific flavour profiles required for The Famous Grouse recipe and mature sample are suitable for being part of The Famous Grouse blend prior to bottling(ii) Ensuring the quality and quantity of casks is delivered to meet the filling requirements of The Famous Grouse portfolio(iii) Planning cask finishing operations to meet forecasted sales volumes for the relevant expressions within the portfolio(iv) Support the Edrington Sustainability Strategy within the whisky making element of The Famous Grouse(v) Support brand innovation, both through experimentation for potential future releases and the commercialisation of any new expressions created. This has included the creation and commercialisation of the most recent additions to The Famous Grouse family, The Famous One and Sherry Cask Finish(vi) Brand Ambassadorial activity related to The Famous Grouse Show less

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  Beam Suntory

  Apr 2022 - May 2024

  Master Blender & Strategic Inventory Manager

  Quality custodian for the Scotch whisky portfolio of Beam Suntory. This includes Bowmore, Laphroaig, Auchentoshan, Glen Garioch and Ardmore singles malts, in addition to Teacher’s blended Scotch whisky.

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  Suntory Global Spirits

  May 2024 - now

  Master Blender, Scotch & Irish

  Quality custodian for Scotch whisky & Irish whiskey families within the Suntory Global Spirits portfolio.This includes globally renowned brands Laphroaig, Bowmore, Auchentoshan, Ardmore and Glen Garioch single malt Scotch, together with Teacher’s and Ardray blended Scotch and a fantastic Irish whiskey family including Connemara, Kilbeggan and Tyrconnell.Primary responsibility is to safeguard whisky brands with centuries of strong legacy whilst seeking to enhance further spirit quality in existing core expressions and innovating to create new expressions to share with consumers globally.Additional responsibilities include inventory management and oak cask supply to support short to long term growth.Part of Suntory Global Spirit’s UK & Ireland Operating Unit Leadership Team Show less