Ravi Kumar Angirekula

Dynamic and results-oriented professional with 20 years of extensive work experience in operations, food safety and quality management and believes quality is linchpin of success any organization. I leverage my expertise in ensuring regulatory compliance and implementing best practices (continuous improvement) to drive excellence in food safety and quality assurance. I can leverage my skills in quality assurance and quality control, process improvement, and regulatory compliance to contribute to the company's success.

Over 15 years of work experience and in-depth knowledge in compliance and various standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000 (BRC, FSSC 22000,SQF) etc.

Technical Director (Head of Quality & Continuous improvement) 2024-Present 

Vege Pak produce, Etobicoke, Canada

• Responsible for overseeing the technical operations, ensuring product quality, compliance with regulatory standards, and driving innovation within the production processes.
• Ensure all products meet the highest quality standards and comply with food safety regulations
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality control systems and procedures.
• Manage audits and inspections by regulatory bodies and customers.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and other best practices to optimize production.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to ensure reliable and efficient equipment performance.
• Analyze production processes to identify areas for improvement in efficiency, yield, and waste reduction.
• Oversee procurement of technical equipment and materials, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.
• Drive innovation in production processes to enhance product quality, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the technical team, including operations, quality and other staff.
• Collaborate with senior management to develop and implement strategic plans for technical operations.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the production team, troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
• Oversee the development and implementation of new products, ensuring they meet market demands and regulatory requirements and conduct research and stay updated on industry trends, technological advancements, and competitive products.
• Developed and maintained key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence within the organization. 

Quality Assurance Manager 

Kataria Foods international, Mississauga, Canada 2014-2023

• Lead the development and implementation of food safety and quality assurance strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices.
• Extensive experience in quality assurance within the food industry, with a focus on maintaining high standards of product quality and safety. Proficient in conducting quality inspections, implementing quality control measures, and analyzing data to identify areas for improvement. Propose and manage quality department and laboratory budgets, cost reduction initiative for areas of responsibility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish quality metrics and performance indicators, driving continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. 
• Provide leadership and guidance to the food safety and quality team, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence to ensure that food safety and quality objectives are met. 
• Prepare and present reports on quality performance, trends, and initiatives to senior management and stakeholders. 
• Oversee the entire product lifecycle, including market research, design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing. Recipe trails, development and formulations, cost analysis and NPD document control
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate contracts to ensure cost-effective procurement of materials and components.
• Optimize supply chain processes to minimize lead times, reduce inventory costs, and enhance overall efficiency.
• Engage and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies/ certification bodies ( CFIA,FDA,NSF etc. ) and stay infirmed updated information labels, allergens, various other food safety standards 
• Lead a multidisciplinary team in the development and launch of new products from concept to commercialization.
• Collaborated with R&D and production teams to launch new products and processes while ensuring compliance with food safety requirements.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and resource allocation plans to meet project milestones and deadlines.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop contingency plans to mitigate potential disruptions to the supply chain.
• Health & Safety: Enforcing the Occupational, Health and Safety policies: Establish joint health and safety committee and policies, selection team members, training, identification of hazards/ricks, preventive control measures, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Developed and implemented training programs to enhance the skills of production staff and improve overall performance.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence. Developed and maintained key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational performance and drive continuous improvement, developed and implemented strategic initiatives and Implemented Lean Manufacturing principles to improve production efficiency, resulting in a 25% increase in output, improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and reducing waste by 15%.
• Led cross-functional teams to implement new product lines, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, engineering, marketing, and sales, to drive product strategy and roadmap.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

Supply Chain Manager 

Fazer Foods, Copenhagen, Denmark 2009-2014

• Develop strategic plans for the supply chain process, including forecasting demand, setting production targets, and planning inventory levels to meet customer demands while minimizing excess stock.
• Identify and establish relationships with suppliers, negotiate contracts, and ensure the timely procurement of raw materials or components at the best possible price and quality.
• Optimize inventory levels to balance the costs of holding inventory against the risk of stockouts. Implement inventory tracking systems and methodologies to monitor stock levels and manage replenishment.
• Coordinate with production teams to schedule manufacturing activities, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure timely production to meet demand while minimizing costs and maximizing quality.
• Organize the transportation of goods from suppliers to manufacturing facilities and from manufacturing facilities to distribution centers or directly to customers. Optimize transportation routes and modes to minimize costs and delivery times.
• Implement quality control processes to ensure that products meet quality standards throughout the supply chain. Monitor supplier performance and take corrective actions as necessary to maintain quality levels.
• Identify potential risks in the supply chain, such as supplier disruptions, transportation delays, or quality issues, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. Maintain contingency plans to minimize the impact of unforeseen events.
• Cultivate strong relationships with suppliers and manage supplier performance to ensure reliability, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Collaborate with suppliers to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Utilize supply chain management software and technology tools to streamline processes, improve visibility, and enhance decision-making. Implement and optimize systems for demand planning, inventory management, and logistics tracking.
• Continuously analyze supply chain processes and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement. Implement initiatives to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall supply chain performance.
• Update with laws, regulations, and industry standards related to food safety, environmental regulations, import/export laws, and product safety requirements. Ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Communicate results in weekly / monthly operations and management meetings with management team and discuss cost and waste reduction strategies.
• Engage with R&D team for cost effective and alternative ingredients / raw materials, chemicals and packing materials.

Quality Assurance Manager, 

Associated British Foods, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom 2007-2009

• Day to Day quality inspections of production processes and equipment to ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Investigated and documented quality issues, identified root causes, and implemented corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Maintained calibration and maintenance records for laboratory equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results.
• Assisted in the development and implementation of new quality control procedures and protocols to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Conducted quality inspections and audits of incoming raw materials, in-process production, and finished products to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement quality improvement initiatives, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.
• Provided training and guidance to production staff on quality control procedures and best practices.

Production Manager

Associated British Foods, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom 2006-2007

• Performed day to day planning & supervision of production operations (production, (such as batching procedures, filling procedures, packing procedures and storage of products), 
• Supervision of day-to-day purchasing and inventory management of food products, packing materials and other general supplier required for plant using ERP tools. 
• Monthly physical count of ingredients finished products and other general suppliers.
• Working with cross functional teams and supported quality department 
• Trained in HACCP & BRC standard

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Food Science 1997-2001

A.N.G.R Agriculture University, India

Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications 2001-2002

ACARE Institute, India

Master of Science in Water, Food and Livelihood Security 2003-2005

Linkoping University, Sweden

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

HACCP I, HACCP II, PCQI, FSSC 22000 & Internal auditor, ISO 22000 LEAD AUDITOR

Continuous improvement managers certification

Project management certification

Health & safety for managers certification