Experience

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  Brill, Inc.

  • Tucker, Georgia

  • Quality Assurance Manager

    • Jul 2018 - Present
    • Tucker, Georgia

    • Scheduling and leading Management Review meetings & providing data related to key Quality performance indicators and reporting on the performance of the Quality System, CAPA, product quality and customer feedback• Maintaining the company’s food safety programs including, but not limited to: HACCP program, FSMA Food Safety Plans, Allergen program, Food Defense program, and Pest Control program• Developing and implementing methods and procedures for monitoring KPI, progress reports, etc.• Evaluate and improve quality based on trends from customer complaints, internal deviations, and industry trends• Manages the development and analysis of statistical data and specifications to determine present standards and to establish proposed quality and reliability expectancy• Responsible for the Hold and Release policy.• Plans, promotes, and organizes training activities related to quality and reliability• Work with Sanitation Group to ensure food safety and quality.• Investigate QA complaints and implement corrective actions when necessary.• Performs Root Cause Analysis and recommends corrective actions s• Conduct monthly plant GMP/Food Safety and Quality System audits.• Interact with Customers, State and FDA Inspectors, and ensure that all products meet all applicable regulations.

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  Trinidad Benham

  • Lagrange, Georgia

  • Manager, Quality Assurance

    • Dec 2016 - Jul 2018
    • Lagrange, Georgia

    • Responsible for overall professional development and training of the Quality Team including positive employee relations, job specific training, and continuous improvement and career growth. • Ensured strict adherence to food safety procedures and maintaining the plant in audit ready status at all times • Managing the Quality Department successfully in the areas of scheduling of employees, performance management, and training documentation• Coordination and management of all raw materials and finished products trials• Assessment of problems and determining the root cause using analytical thinking skills.• Development and implementation of solutions to eliminate the root cause of quality issues

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  SOUTHBAY FOODS

  • Manager, Production and Quality Assurance

    • Jan 2007 - Dec 2015

    Developed and analyzed statistical data pertaining to product quality and machine efficiencyDeveloped and executed production schedules according to business demandsEnsured Batch formulation compliance including documentationEnsured specification compliance through continuous in-process and finished product testing and label verificationEstablished manufacturing performance standards and set future targets on the basis of machine capabilities and existing performance outcomesCoordinated and managed the plant Sanitation ProgramImproved overall efficiency by eliminating waste and production constraintsDeveloped plant food safety program including HACCP and ensured strict compliance to GMPsDeveloped technical documents including Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions for all Quality Assurance and Production work activitiesTrained plant employees on food safety and on specific job functionsEnforced a culture of lean manufacturing and drove all continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.Conducted periodic food safety auditsHired and provided training for Production and Quality Assurance employeesDeveloped monthly departmental operating budgetsManaged the raw material handling and inventory controlEnsured that all work areas are maintained in safe and clean conditions at all timesCoordinated with the maintenance team on preventative maintenance and routine calibration of all production and testing equipmentSupervised the daily set-up of production equipment and ensured that start-ups were done as scheduled

  • Food Safety Technical Consultant

    • Aug 2003 - Dec 2006

    Participated in factory equipment purchase recommendationsParticipated in Equipment inspections and test runs at manufacturers facilities (Brazil and China)Coordinated the Raw Materials Vendor Qualification Program including vendor facility inspectionsCoordinated company's food import initiatives with emphasis on product inspections and qualityCoordinated Company's certification and licensing process

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  PORTION PAC INC (Division of Heinz)

  • Quality Assurance Manager

    • Jun 1999 - Jul 2003

    Managed a department with 45 workers including Quality Assurance Supervisors, technicians and InspectorsManaged all daily Quality Assurance operations to ensure conformance to all company quality parameters for incoming raw materials, processing and finished productsOversaw the company's food safety program including HACCP and all prerequisite programs such as GMP, Allergen control, Recall, Environmental monitoring, Water Portability Management, Internal Audits, Preventive Maintenance, Sanitation and Raw Materials and Finished Products Warehousing audits etcEnsured that the plant's food safety and all prerequisite programs were in full operation at all timesConducted weekly/monthly quality circle meetingsConducted food safety training and maintained all pertinent records for all plant employeesOversaw all third party facility inspections and follow up actionsProvided technical support to all departments including Production, Distribution, Sales, and to CustomersMaintained constant interaction with Plant Manager, Production Managers, Supervisors, Technicians, Vendors/Co-Packers, Customers and various Regulatory AgenciesAdministered and coordinated the company's Pest Control Management Program including the management and supervision of service contractorsHired and provided technical training and development for all department personnelConducted periodic internal and external (vendor) food safety auditsDeveloped and maintained plant procedures that are pertinent to food quality and safetyOversaw all issues concerning customer complaints including investigation and response to such complaints.Oversaw the company's Hold and Release program including the final disposition of products for rework

  • Quality Assurance Supervisor

    • Nov 1997 - Jun 1999

    Supervised and coordinated all Quality Assurance activities in the plant to ensure compliance with applicable standardsServed as the primary point of contact for hourly QA personnel, production, maintenance, and sanitation teams in order to obtain resolution of day to day issuesOrganized and assigned the daily work activities of QA Technicians and Auditors in order to ensure adherence to company performance goals and objectivesAssisted in the implementation and management of food safety programs in all areas of the production plant including GMP's, SOP's, SSOP's, and HACCPAssisted in the development and periodic review of Quality metrics and KPIs and communicating these to the manufacturing plant teamProvided periodic training, instruction and guidance on testing and inspection procedures and maintained constant monitoring to ensure the success of team members involved in the regular inspection of raw materials and finished productsAssisted in developing work instructions and procedures for both current and new tasksReviewed Certificates of Analysis for incoming raw material to ensure compliance to specification limitsMaintained all records pertaining to QA activities including tests and inspection reportsInvestigated quality related concerns and recommended corrective actionsMaintained the department's MSDS documents and participated in personnel safety trainingAdministered the plant's impound/release programCarried out other special projects assigned by the Quality Assurance Manager and deputized for manager when the incumbent was unavailable

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  Nutro Products

  • City Of Industry, California

  • Quality Assurance Technician

    • May 1997 - Nov 1997
    • City Of Industry, California

    Conducted In-coming raw ingredient inspection and analysis, including truck inspectionsPerformed In-process and finished product sample collection and testingPerformed process checks throughout production, packaging, sanitation and warehousing, such as pre-operational checks, sanitation verification, label checks, net weight verification, package integrity checks and organoleptic checksConducted laboratory analysis of samples collected during productionActivated the company's Hold-procedure for non-compliant products

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  MICHELSON LABORATORIES INC

  • Commerce, California

  • Dairy Laboratory Supervisor

    • Nov 1996 - May 1997
    • Commerce, California

    Enforced strict compliance to Good Laboratory PracticesEmployed GLPs in pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical proceduresPerformed routine Laboratory analyses as requiredCoordinated the work schedule and activities of laboratory personnelPerformed test results analyses and reportingManaged all laboratory suppliesPerform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment