Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Interests
Award
Timeline
Generic

Yeganeh (Tara) Eslami

Tauranga,New Zealand

Summary

  • Qualified Team Leader with background in science and operations to streamline processes and enhance productivity. Proven track record of fostering team collaboration, resulting in improved efficiency. Demonstrated ability to manage resources effectively and adapt to changing operational needs.
  • Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
  • Tech-savvy innovator with hands-on experience in emerging technologies and passion for continuous improvement. Skilled in identifying opportunities for technological enhancements and implementing effective solutions. Adept at leveraging new tools and methods to solve problems and enhance productivity. Excels in adapting to fast-paced environments and driving technological advancements.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Operations Team Lead

Zespri International Ltd
01.2023 - Current
  • Leading a diverse team and guiding both seasonal and permanent staff members
  • Lead and supported recruitment, selection, and onboarding of seasonal and permanent staff, ensuring role fit, operational readiness, and a smooth induction experience
  • Managing the laboratory and cool store during the kiwi fruit season
  • Oversee day-to-day onshore Cool Chain operations, including the scheduling and managing of FMTs (Fruit Monitoring Technicians - offshore and onshore), Operations Technicians, and Lab Technicians
  • Lead onboarding, training, and certification for seasonal and permanent staff, ensuring compliance with safety standards and SOPs
  • Manage equipment inventory, maintenance, calibration, and user training for temperature loggers and ethylene analysers
  • Conduct vessel pre-departure planning, risk assessments, and ensure conditioning activities are executed according to protocol
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational, efficiency, sustainability, and risk reduction
  • Liaise with internal teams, service providers, and shipping agents to maintain seamless logistics coordination
  • Generate weekly reports, manage KPI metrics, and provide insight into workforce optimisation and team strategy
  • Leading recruitment and training for 25 seasonal staff members each year.

Laboratory Supervisor

Hill Laboratories
12.2022 - 02.2023
  • Oversaw laboratory operations and technician performance during the kiwifruit maturity testing season
  • Delivered training and quality assurance across sampling, and equipment maintenance

Nursery Supervisor

SCH
11.2022 - 12.2022
  • Supervised research trials and supported the data collection in the Greenhouse - part-time

Research & Development Technician

Road Science
08.2022 - 11.2022
  • Conducted laboratory road experiments for new enhanced products of emulsion and bitumen

Laboratory Technical Manager

Seeka - Verified Lab Services
01.2022 - 08.2022
  • Directed technical aspects of laboratory operations and equipment, ensured full compliance with Zespri standards and prepared meticulous compliance documentation for audits.
  • Led compliance efforts across lab operations, achieving successful Zespri and IANZ audits through proactive quality assurance and team alignment
  • Increased staff competency by delivering training sessions to a hundred employees and supporting the execution of SOPs.

GMO Glasshouse Manager / Scientist

Scion Crown Research Institute (CRI)
12.2019 - 01.2022
  • Managed and supervised genomic research projects within a PC2 (physical containment class 2) glasshouse facility, overseeing the team activities and ensuring strict adherence to biological safety protocols and MPI compliance
  • Led trials in PC2 containment facilities, coordinating research, compliance, and safety protocols
  • Supported COVID-19 vaccine research - recognized as the Best Stakeholder Award winner

Soil Molecular Biology Technician

Scion Crown Research Institute (CRI)
07.2016 - 12.2019
  • Conducted field and lab work, including DNA extraction, soil respiration testing, and microbial analysis using qPCR and PCR in various research-funded projects
  • Conducted Kauri Dieback and Biuret weed mortality research trials

Laboratory Technician & Lab Demonstrator Roles

AgResearch & Lincoln University
07.2014 - 07.2016
  • Participated in bacterial pathogen trials, PCR assays, and pasture nutrient analysis
  • Conducted estrogen extraction and quantification from Lucerne, prepared media, cultured fungal pathogens, and performed pasture analysis using ELISA and NIR techniques
  • Delivered laboratory practical classes, prepared teaching specimens for plant science and chemistry courses, and assessed student projects
  • Conducted an experiment to determine the magnitude of soil biological constraint to pasture production, with a focus on clover within dairy-based systems at AgResearch. Aimed to calculate a conservative economic cost of root diseases to system profitability

Microbiologist - Lab Technician

Arad Hospital
01.2011 - 01.2013
  • Performed microbial diagnostics, qPCR, and antibiogram testing and ensured sterile procedures in a clinical lab setting

Education

NZ Certificate - Business

Learning Works - Wintec
01-2024

Master of Science (MSc) - Industrial Microbiology

Islamic Azad University
01-2013

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Cellular and Molecular Biology

Islamic Azad University
01-2010

Skills

  • DNA/RNA extraction
  • PCR/QPCR
  • Microsoft Suite
  • Analytical skills
  • Project management
  • Compliance management
  • Time management
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Excellent communication

Certification

  • Public Speaking With Confidence workshop
  • STCW Marine Practical Safety, Toi Ohomai
  • Confined Space, Vertical Horizon


Interests

  • Hiking and running
  • I enjoy sketching and drawing, which helps improve my creativity and attention to detail
  • Gardening
  • Mindfulness Practices
  • Playing Sports
  • Yoga
  • Volunteering
  • Gym Workouts
  • I enjoy helping others and giving back to the community

Award

Best Practice of Customer Service/ Stakholder in Covid 19 Vaccine Project at Scion 

Timeline

Operations Team Lead

Zespri International Ltd
01.2023 - Current

Laboratory Supervisor

Hill Laboratories
12.2022 - 02.2023

Nursery Supervisor

SCH
11.2022 - 12.2022

Research & Development Technician

Road Science
08.2022 - 11.2022

Laboratory Technical Manager

Seeka - Verified Lab Services
01.2022 - 08.2022

GMO Glasshouse Manager / Scientist

Scion Crown Research Institute (CRI)
12.2019 - 01.2022

Soil Molecular Biology Technician

Scion Crown Research Institute (CRI)
07.2016 - 12.2019

Laboratory Technician & Lab Demonstrator Roles

AgResearch & Lincoln University
07.2014 - 07.2016

Microbiologist - Lab Technician

Arad Hospital
01.2011 - 01.2013

NZ Certificate - Business

Learning Works - Wintec

Master of Science (MSc) - Industrial Microbiology

Islamic Azad University

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Cellular and Molecular Biology

Islamic Azad University
Yeganeh (Tara) Eslami