Co-manufacturing QA Manager

• Apr 2019 - Present

Director of Technical Services

• Jul 2017 - Feb 2019

Responsible for leading Quality Assurance and Research and Development departments. Key liaison between sales, R&D, Purchasing, Operations and Quality Assurance to ensure products are commercialized in an efficient manner. Responsible for direction, development, implementation and improvement of quality systems.

Quality Assurance Manager

• Jun 2015 - Jul 2017

Quality Food Safety Manager

• Nov 2010 - May 2015

• Develop and execute SQF plans to maintain SQF Level 3 Certification and AIB superior at the facility and meet all BBU requirements related to quality and food safety programs• Train and maintain all training records for critical food safety and quality requirements for Oklahoma City and Lubbock• Facilitate 33 depot audits for Oklahoma, North Texas, and New Mexico zones for the bakeries on a biannual basis• Managed finished product evaluation and provide leadership to drive improvements in key customer/consumer quality attributes• Train and maintain all training records for critical food safety and quality requirements• Provide direction to Sanitation Foremen & Production Supervisors to build relationships to lead improvement in quality safe products• Responsible for direct reports in Receiving Department• Oversee monitoring, verification, and validation of activities to assure final product compliance with the company Food Safety and quality requirements• Provide guidance and leadership in special situations where deviations have occurred or a potential risk has been identified related to food safety using root cause analysis• Reassess SQF plan(s) when ever there is a change to program, process, procedure, ingredient, or equipment• Responsible for reporting and taking any necessary action to prevent food safety and food quality problems from occurring• Oversees program to reduce or eliminate consumer complaints- execute corrective and preventative action (CAPA's)• Responsible for following and enforcing procedures outlined in the Food Safety Plan and the Food Quality Plan and any other programs that support the SQF system• Act as the SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator for multiple facilities• Lead all regulatory, SQF, AIB, FDA, Corporate, and SAI Global audits.• Proven ability to work with cross functional departments within the organization;• Champion for the Automated Systems, Trace Gains, and TQIM database for the bakery

Quality Assurance Supervisor/Commercialization

• Apr 2009 - Oct 2010

• Ensure food safety and quality standards are met by monitoring the RTE products (soups, marinades, chicken, beef, and pork) of the kettle room and stein oven• Spearheaded continuous improvement projects which resulted in $700K cost savings (reductions in product samplings)• Complies to all state and federal regulations of the USDA• Managed a team of Microbiologist and 3 techs• Ensure all products meet customer’s specifications (i.e. physical and organoleptic attributes, HACCP, micro requirements)• Verify product conformance through audits, finished product testing, quality checks, and HACCP• Develop and implement standard operating procedures • Approve product labels and inspect incoming raw materials• Monitor and work with Production Management to implement corrective action on an as needed basis• Supervise food technologists, microbiology lab, sanitation, and monitor Allergen Program• Drive consumer complaints to resolution and interact with key customers• Interface and coordinate the testing of new products with Research and Development • Organize and conduct plant training for HACCP, Food Safety, GMP, and daily documentation logs

Quality Assurance Supervisor

• Jan 2006 - Apr 2009

• Audited daily reports and data worksheets; Conveyed product dispositions with corporate and brewing department managers • Acted as an integral resource to assist plant teams in achieving goals, making decisions, and problem solving• Managed, facilitated, and provided guidance and direction to 15 chemists on three shifts• Served as interim Quality Product Manager in manager’s absence• Developed leadership skills by coaching and motivating others in areas to enhance skills• Handled several tasks while anticipating and reacting to a fast paced changing production and environment • Demonstrated solid communication skills and the ability to work with all levels of personnel in brewery which include management, salaried and bargaining union employees• Responsible for training new employees and quarterly scheduling; maintain inventory for lab supplies/chemicals• Investigated trends and ensure quality compliance with plant and corporate regulations; Work closely with corporate liaison in support of new product development• Conducted monthly safety laboratory inspections & weekly GMP’s/GLP’s audits; Utilize 5S methods; World Class Manufacturing

Sensory Coordinator

• Oct 2002 - Feb 2005

• Coordinated the training of 43 taste test panelists and formulated various flavors to train panelists• Administered, planned, organized, and conducted sensory evaluations on a daily basis• Educated employees/vendors about abnormalities that can occur in the beer process through Beer University• Utilized analytical/problem solving skills with the use of statistics for process control• Analyzed results of sensory evaluations and made recommendations for the finished product• Managed consumer complaints pertaining to sensory issues• Ensured sensory specifications are in alignment with corporate guidelines• Owned the annual budget for sensory department

Chemist

• Oct 1999 - Oct 2002

• Monitored and analyzed the product through each stage of the brewing process to ensure quality specifications are maintained• Adhered to all standards, procedures and interpretation of data by evaluating results with various instruments• Basic knowledge of microbiological techniques and wet chemistry• Communicated and work with internal customers to resolve quality issues• Created work process and acted as liaison between plant quality control and corporate to reduce process issues• Served as a representative of product lab on departmental safety committee