Quality Assurance Specialist III at Sysco (2022-04 – Present)
Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance protocols and food safety systems in a food distribution and production environment.
- Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance protocols and food safety systems
- Conduct internal audits, inspections, and root cause investigations for non-conformances
- Oversee product testing including microbiological, chemical, and physical analysis
- Review and approve batch records, test results, and Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
- Ensure compliance with federal and state food safety regulations
- Coordinate with production, sanitation, and supply chain teams to resolve quality issues
- Lead training for QA technicians and production employees on quality procedures and GMPs
- Participate in regulatory audits and third-party inspections
- Maintain and analyze quality data to identify trends and implement corrective actions
- Support new product development by reviewing specifications and ensuring quality readiness
Quality Assurance Specialist II at Readington Farms (2021-03 – 2022-03)
Performed routine quality checks and testing on food products at various stages of production while assisting with implementation of food safety systems.
- Perform routine quality checks on raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods
- Conduct microbiological and chemical testing of food samples
- Assist with the implementation of food safety systems such as HACCP, GMP, and SQF
- Monitor sanitation procedures and conduct pre-operational inspections
- Investigate deviations or non-conformances and assist with root cause analysis
- Maintain accurate and organized QA documentation, logs, and records
- Support QA audits (internal and external) and regulatory inspections
- Train production staff on food safety, GMP, and quality protocols
- Collaborate with production, sanitation, and maintenance to resolve quality issues
QA/QC Specialist I at Burger Maker (2014-03 – 2021-01)
Conducted basic inspections and testing of food products at various production stages and monitored compliance with GMPs and hygiene practices.
- Conduct basic inspections of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products
- Collect and label food and environmental samples for testing
- Perform routine microbiological and chemical tests under supervision (e.g., pH, moisture, temperature)
- Monitor hygiene practices, PPE use, and GMP compliance on the production floor
- Assist with metal detection, thermometer calibration, and sanitation verification
- Accurately record test results and inspection findings
- Report any quality or safety deviations to senior QA staff or supervisors
- Help prepare documentation for audits and regulatory reviews
- Follow all SOPs, food safety policies, and plant safety protocols
QA/QC Analyst I at Farmland Dairies (2003-12 – 2014-02)
Performed analytical and microbiological testing of dairy products and assisted with laboratory operations, instrument calibration, and documentation.
- Perform analytical and microbiological testing of raw materials, in-process, and finished products (e.g., pH, moisture, titratable acidity, protein, microbial count)
- Follow validated test methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Prepare reagents, standards, and test solutions for daily lab use
- Document all results accurately in lab notebooks or LIMS in compliance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
- Assist with instrument calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- Identify and report out-of-specification (OOS) results or deviations to supervisors
- Perform environmental monitoring and sampling in production or cleanroom areas
- Participate in lab housekeeping and inventory management
- Assist in lab audits, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives
Veterinary Inspector at Mechanical Slaughterhouse – Ministry of Agriculture (1990-03 – 2003-11)
Conducted pre-mortem and post-mortem inspections of livestock and meat products, ensuring compliance with food safety and veterinary public health standards.
- Conduct ante-mortem (pre-slaughter) and post-mortem (post-slaughter) inspections of livestock to detect diseases, abnormalities, or signs of poor health
- Assess animal welfare and enforce humane handling regulations in slaughterhouses or processing plants
- Inspect carcasses and organs to determine suitability for human consumption and identify contamination or zoonotic diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, trichinosis)
- Oversee compliance with national and international food safety and veterinary public health standards
- Collect samples for laboratory testing (e.g., swabs, tissues, blood) and interpret diagnostic results
- Certify meat products, facilities, and equipment according to sanitation, labeling, and processing requirements
- Enforce quarantine regulations and biosecurity measures where needed
- Document and report inspection results, non-compliances, and recommend corrective actions
- Participate in investigations of foodborne illness outbreaks or animal health incidents
- Educate staff and plant personnel on animal health, hygiene, and sanitation protocols
