What is your role at Ferrero?

Toys Breakthrough Innovation at Ferrero. I research and develop new technologies for the toys inside of Kinder Surprise and Kinder Joy.

Why and how did you get into the toy industry?

My background is in research and engineering. Before Ferrero I was a staff researcher and engineer at MIT Media Lab, making various electromechanical devices and running experiments. Media Lab is a place where research, engineering, design, and also play, are encouraged to come together. Kinder toys R&D involves a similar way of thinking.

Tell me about Ferrero’s North America innovation center.

Ferrero launched an innovation center here in downtown Chicago in 2023. Without pulling the curtain back, I’ll say it’s an amazing place. Truly not unlike Willy Wonka––engineers 3D printing toys in one room, bakers pouring chocolate in the next.

A main reason we’re located here is to intake and participate in the innovation happening in North America, and to bring it into our products. For me, that’s Kinder.

What are you up to in the Toys Lab these days?

All kinds of toys R&D projects––top secret ones!

A thing to know is that we’re growing the Toys Lab and currently looking to hire someone to work with me here. Tell all of your friends in Chicago.

Here’s the link to apply: https://www.ferrerocareers.com/us/en/jobs/toy-innovation-lab-project-manager-kinder-surprise

What do you think is unique about Ferrero?

I’m impressed by how important innovation is to the company, in the product development process. It’s only a minority of companies that take innovation so seriously.

The heritage is also just super special. It’s really cool to be contributing to that legacy. Kinder toys have been around for 50 years now. Nutella, I think 60, and the recipe hasn’t changed.

What’s hard about what you do?

Trying not to snack on too much Ferrero Rocher is a daily challenge.

The constraints of Kinder toys are tight. The toy needs to be small enough to fit inside of an egg. Coming up with ideas was difficult at first, but I think the right engineering mindset gets enabled by those kinds of constraints.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Definitely the people and the team that I’m on. Everyone is super expert and passionate about what they do. I get activated by being around that level of expertise. Plus we each work on our own area—ingredients, recipes, packaging, toys, etc.—so there’s a real X-Men vibe that we have going.

What was your favorite toy or game as a child?

I remember playing Super Mario 64 for the first time and being captivated by moving a character around in 3D space. Maybe cliché, but I’m not sure I would have caught the maker bug without Lego.

Are you a toy collector?

I am! I collect newer age handheld game consoles. I admire the craft that goes into the circuit board design.

Beside Kinder, what is a toy everyone should know about today?

Probably the Tetris Chicken McNugget.

What advice would you give a young adult graduating from high school or college today?

Develop your skills through projects. And ones that personally interest you. Your enthusiasm for making something that you want to see in the world is a green energy for learning hard skills.

What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day?

My iPhone camera still hasn’t ceased to amaze me.