Driving Innovation in the Meat Industry
At Emydex, our strength lies in the expertise and dedication of our people. In this edition of People in Focus, we introduce Jayne McMillan, Business Analyst at Emydex, whose career spans nearly three decades across every stage of the meat supply chain.
From Microbiology to Industry Leadership
Jayne began her career in the meat industry with The Alliance Group in 1995, shortly after completing her Microbiology degree. Over the next 29 years, she progressed through roles in laboratory management, quality assurance in Los Angeles, technical systems development, and a large-scale ERP transformation.
Her journey also included running a boutique butchery in Central Otago, qualifying as a trade butcher, and training as a Meat Inspector. In 2024, she joined Emydex, bringing a unique blend of technical, operational, and business expertise to the team.
Expertise That Makes a Difference
Jayne describes her strength as a broad knowledge base across the industry.
After an entire career in the meat industry, it would have to be my broad knowledge base of the entire process, from the farm to the consumer, both in a practical sense and MES systems.”
This depth of experience allows her to support processors with practical, forward-looking solutions that address both compliance and efficiency.
Understanding the Region’s Challenges
Working closely with clients in Australasia, Jayne highlights a recurring issue for processors.
One of the main challenges is the continuous updates of Overseas Market Access Requirements. Companies need to be quite fluid and able to implement changes, increase data recording and compliance expectations, all the while ensuring food safety is at the forefront.”
Adding Value at Emydex
Her knowledge of the sector helps her connect with clients and design solutions that work.
I use my industry knowledge to suggest solutions that make the overall process easier. By introducing simpler methods, we ensure Emydex systems fit their production while reducing screen tasks for operators and still delivering the correct outcomes.”
Looking Ahead
As Jayne approaches her first year with Emydex, she is motivated by the global team culture and the flexibility of her role. She is also focused on the opportunities innovation can bring.
The ability to react to the fast-changing data environment is critical. Emydex has a very clever team behind the code, and this is key for clients when compliance changes are required.”
She also sees potential for predictive tools to transform production.
A system to accurately predict lean meat yield at the time of slaughter is highly desirable. It is also a great tool for processors who can separate and process like with like, improving production runs.”
Driving the Future of Food Processing with Emydex
With experts like Jayne on the team, Emydex continues to help processors in Australasia adapt to regulatory changes, improve efficiency, and embrace innovation. Our people bring not only deep industry knowledge but also a genuine understanding of the challenges our clients face every day.
Discover more about how Emydex supports processors in the region.
