James Gakuru

To apply skills, experience and knowledge attained in production of safe and quality food products that meet regulatory requirements satisfy customer needs thus achieve organizational objective.

QA SUPERVISOR - HASHI ENERGY LIMITED UNITED NATIONS PROJECT (MONUSCO)

(2021-03)

• Food Safety Management System Implementation (FSSC 22 000:2018) within the warehouse in line with quality assurance program requirements.
• Conducting internal audits and advising management on areas of improvement.
• Performing regular monitoring activities within the warehouse on areas such as personnel hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, waste disposal, pest control, lighting and utilities to ensure compliance FSSC 22000:2018
• Monitoring and validating incoming shipments documentations- pack size, phytosanitary, sanitary, original health and veterinary, halal, certificate of analysis and country of origin certifications for all suppliers.
• Performing incoming shipments assessment against compliance to UNSTD
• Performing supplier audits to suppliers ascertain conformance UNSTD for dry, frozen and chilled products.
• Coordinating laboratory testing and analysis of all food products according to UNSTD
• Actively involved in Food Ration Verification by monitoring the temperature records and recommending the required corrective actions
• Performing follow-up inspections to confirm corrections are implemented; procedures continuously improved and products compliance to UNSTD which includes, labelling, nutritional information, list of ingredients, Batch/Lot No, production date and expiry date.
• Preparing the training schedule for Food Safety, Health &Safety Environment, Personal hygiene and First Aid. and what other training needs required for each section
• Tasked with Weekly and monthly presentation of reports for all the aforementioned roles and reporting the same to the QA Lead.
• Witnessing contractor's disposal of rejected food items, maintain records ON HOLD stock and submit comprehensive report to QA Lead
• Performing periodic inspections of the sub-contractors warehouse and confirm compliance to prerequisite programs and HACCP principles.
• Performing any other duty allocated by management

PRODUCTION MANAGER AND FOOD SAFETY TEAM LEADER - PRIVAM NUTS KENYA LTD

(2017-08 - 2019-12)

• Planning of production operation based on customer orders as well as ensuring end product meet the right quality standard
• Establishing proper working targets for cracking sorting and packing to ensure timely completion of customer orders.
• Preparation of daily production report and ensuring reports are shared to management for decision making.
• Coordinating the Food Safety Team and ensuring effective achievement of food safety system.
• Coordinating internal food safety audits as well as managing third party audits.
• Overseeing implementation, maintenance of FSSC 22000 and HACCP food safety programs
• Coordinating training awareness to all production staff on issues affecting product safety and quality and training the quality control staff and line operators to achieve set quality standards
• Organizing with relevant authorities for, machinery inspection and calibration that may impact on product quality and safety

PRODUCTION MANAGER AND FOOD SAFETY TEAM LEADER - EQUATORIAL NUT PROCESSORS LTD

(2011-07 - 2017-07)

• Planning of production operations, to ensure optimum utilization of resources.
• Ensuring workplace health and safety procedures as well as food safety procedures are adhered to.
• Preparing daily production reports and sharing with relevant management staff
• Overseeing the implementation, and updating of FSSC 22000:2013, Food Safety Management System requirements.
• Developing, reviewing and updating the HACCP plans of existing and new products.
• Initiating, planning and conducting internal food safety audits undertaking the correction action to prevent recurrence where necessary.
• Coordinating internal external food safety audits within the factories.
• Identifying training needs for Food Safety Team Members and coordinating such trainings with relevant bodies
• Liaising with government agencies and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance.
• Developing and reviewing procedures, records and work instructions relevant to FSSC 22000:2013 Food Safety Management System.
• Coordinating management reviews in line with ISO 22 000 requirements

ASSISTANT QA - KENYA HORTICULTURAL EXPORTERS LTD

(2007 - 2011)

• Ensuring the best practices are adhered to during production operations to safe guard product integrity, quality and safety
• Implementation of BRC global standard within the pack-house.
• Updating HACCP plans, Work Instructions and Prerequisite programs and coordinating sanitation programs within the packhouse.
• Training of production staff on issues related to food safety, personnel hygiene.
• Liaising with external labs &government agencies for testing, calibration and other verification activities.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPERVISOR - EVEREST ENTERPRISES LTD

(2004 - 2007)

• Carrying out quality assessment of raw materials to ensure the best quality raw material is received for processing.
• Conducting hygiene swabs within the High care section of the packhouse to monitor effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation.
• Undertaking glass audit monitoring and metal detection monitoring to ensure finished product comply to food safety requirements
• Maintaining quality records and documents to ensure that accurate quality information is available to the pack-house in a timely manner.

Bachelor of Science - Food Science and Technology - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) (1999 - 2003)

KCSE - Nyahururu High School (1993 - 1996)