Call for F&B expert in spreads and confectionaries- ARYAF- DEBSY

Context & Background

Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Lebanon, that aims to provide a conducive environment for the creation and development of startups, through incubation, business support, counseling, funding, networking, and the company hosting, hence taking part in the economic revival of the country, participating in wealth and job creation, and retaining graduates and high-level skills in Lebanon.  

About ARYAF PROJECT

ARYAF serves Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises operating in food processing, local hospitality, tourism, the restaurant industry, eco-tourism, and agri-tourism within west Bekaa, Zahle and South Mount Lebanon.  

The program aims to empower sixty MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) to increase their sales volume, implement a business continuity plan, and provide training to their staff, including youth, women, and disabled individuals.

The program is funded by The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in partnership with Berytech, within the framework of Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities and Small and Medium Enterprises project (ACE). 

SME Background

Debsy is an Agribusiness specializing in producing Natural Carob Molasses and Cookies sweetened with grape molasses.

Debsy team is constantly working to harness the institution's strengths in improving production through the presence of an expert workforce in its field of work. Mr. Dagher inherited the business from his family, they used to produce Carob Molasses tens of years ago.

Moreover, to address industry weaknesses, the team uses modern technology and equipment, which increases production and reduces costs. Debsy continuously evolves and introduces byproducts from Carob Molasses in the Lebanese market.

The family business involved in the production, sale, and distribution of molasses improves the willingness to hire an expert to introduce new byproducts and optimize the production of the existing formula.

The business is continuously encouraging clients to benefit from the nutritional value of these 100% natural products. Moreover, the Debsy team continuously conducts market research to verify the needs and satisfy the consumer.

Scope of Work

The project's objectives are to: appoint an expert to assist the Debsy team in carrying out the activities related to the byproducts of carob molasses;

• To improve the production of the existing Mixes Spread, such as Tahini and carob molasses spread; and
• To introduce new products, such as Chocolate Carob Spread, Halawa and Carob Chocolate Spread, Chocolate Almond Spread, and Chocolate Apple Spread sweetened with carob molasses.

The selection of the expert will be based on criteria including that s/he must have extensive experience in molasses products and derivatives as s/he will be particularly responsible for providing technical support for Carob Molasses derivatives production and preservation.

The consultant's activities will focus on conducting theoretical and practical training in Carob products and derivatives; the training will cover various techniques of Carob Molasses derivatives production that are suitable for commercial sale in addition to the production of Carob Molasses Mixed Spread.

To summarize, the objectives of this consultancy are as follows.

Provide theoretical and practical training, as well as training materials to produce Carob Molasses derivatives, such as Chocolate Carob Spread, Halawa and Carob Chocolate Spread, Chocolate Almond Spread, and Chocolate Apple Spread sweetened with carob molasses.

Action Plan

The following is the process that the consultant will apply to complete the project:

• Assessment: The consultant is responsible for verifying both the natural resources and the technical conditions of the industry. In addition, he will assess the necessary equipment required to produce Carob Molasses derivatives. The consultant will also identify any weaknesses and potential areas for development within the company.
• Plan: Using the research results and the SME's vision, mission, values, and objectives as a guide, select the appropriate types of derivatives to produce, and develop a plan for the learning sessions needed and in addition the practical sessions best timing.
• Design: the consultant should deliver formulas for the selected products, mainly.
  • • • Tahini and carob Molasses spread,
      • Oat and Molasses Spread,
      • Chocolate Carob Molasses Spread,
      • Chocolate (Almond, Nuts…) Spread.
      • Chocolate (Apple, Red fruits…) Spread
• Development: the consultant should deliver detailed procedures and training materials about the products' production practices. The consultant should list.
• The raw materials and their specifications and compliance.
• The additives, emulsifiers, and their specifications and compliance.
• The list of proper equipment needed; qualifications, Hygiene…
• The list of packaging materials, filling machine…..

Moreover, the consultant should provide a Scheme, and details about the processing room, the product storage, and packaging conditions to increase the shelf life of the product under various circumstances.

• Execution: The consultant should deliver practical sessions on processing the whole range of Carob Molasses derivatives in agreement with Debsy. He has to provide the training material needed for the following;

• The formula, with precise statements of the ingredients and the percentage or weight of each for the agreed Carob Molasses by-products.
• The raw material specifications and compliance; guidelines, descriptions, composition, and other specifications.
• Operating standards, according to equipment and product requirements.
• Methods and techniques listing Materials, and tools related to Storage, Filling, and packing standards.

Deliverables 

The deliverables for this project are as follows:  

                         Deliverable 1: Assessment Report. 

In this analysis, we will examine Debsy products, activities, potential areas of improvement, and the introduction of new products...

Deliverable 2: Execution Planning.  

Planning for the learning sessions and practical sessions for expanded products.

Deliverable 3: Formula recipes of the chosen Carob Molasses derivatives. 

Deliverable 4: Detailed procedures, raw materials, additives, equipment, tools, and packaging required.…

Deliverable 5: Provide the precise number of products required, raw material specifications and compliance, equipment and tools standards, techniques and methods, the duration of learning sessions (in days and hours), and practical sessions (in days and hours).

Deliverable 6: Final Report  

Qualifications

1. Experience of 10 years minimum in the Agrifood sector and if specifically in the line of Mix spread category is a plus
2. Experience of 3 years minimum in local development
3. Excellent knowledge of the Lebanese Molasses sector.
4. Higher education in the field of agrifood processing, agrifood business, or related fields
5. Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to produce accurate facts, figures and reports.
6. Strong communication and interpersonal skills
7. Excellent skills in written and spoken English, and in spoken Arabic.