Summer Willis

Analytical instrumentation and quality professional with hands-on experience operating, troubleshooting, calibrating, maintaining, and optimizing chromatographic and spectroscopic instrumentation in GMP/GLP and ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory environments. Experienced with HPLC, GC-MS, GC-ECD, ICP-OES/MS, microbiological testing, analytical method development, instrument validation, and root-cause investigations across beverage, cannabis, and manufacturing industries. Proven ability to train laboratory personnel, interpret complex chromatographic data, improve laboratory workflows, support regulatory compliance initiatives, and collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, and technical teams.

Quality Assurance Analyst, Analytical Lead - Alaskan Brewing Co. - Juneau, AK

(2021-10 - 2024-05)

• Trained laboratory analysts on gas chromatography instrumentation, chromatographic interpretation, troubleshooting methodologies, and preventive maintenance procedures.
• Performed analytical chemistry testing using chromatographic and microbiological techniques to support in-process quality control, product release, and stability studies.
• Troubleshot instrumentation, analytical deviations, and workflow inefficiencies to minimize downtime and maintain laboratory throughput.
• Developed and validated analytical methods for turbidity and sodium benzoate analysis to support product innovation and brewery expansion initiatives.
• Conducted calibration verification, standards preparation, and analytical performance monitoring to ensure data integrity and method reliability.
• Interpreted chromatograms and analytical data to identify trends, deviations, and potential matrix interferences impacting product quality.
• Presented technical findings and root-cause investigations during cross-functional quality and production meetings.
• Improved laboratory workflow efficiency through process optimization and implementation of procedural improvements.

Analytical Laboratory Technician - Ace Analytical Laboratory - Las Vegas, NV

(2019-10 - 2021-09)

• Performed quantitative and qualitative analysis using HPLC and ICP-OES/MS instrumentation for potency and heavy metal testing in regulated laboratory environments.
• Developed, optimized, validated, and executed analytical methods in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
• Maintained, calibrated, and troubleshot chromatographic and spectroscopic instrumentation to ensure analytical accuracy, instrument reliability, and minimal operational downtime.
• Investigated matrix interferences, chromatographic anomalies, and analytical deviations to improve method robustness and data quality.
• Prepared standards, calibration curves, and quality control samples for quantitative analysis and instrument verification.
• Authored and revised SOPs, analytical procedures, and technical documentation to support regulatory compliance and laboratory standardization.
• Supported laboratory operations in GMP/GLP-compliant environments with strong emphasis on data integrity and traceability.

Analytical Chemist - Global Cannabinoids - Las Vegas, NV

(2019-05 - 2019-08)

• Supported laboratory startup and operational buildout, including HPLC method development and optimization for cannabinoid analysis.
• Assisted with analytical method evaluation, troubleshooting, and validation activities in collaboration with third-party laboratories.
• Reviewed chromatographic data and external laboratory methodologies to support analytical consistency and data reliability.
• Coordinated laboratory consumables, vendor accounts, and instrument-related supply management to maintain uninterrupted laboratory operations.

Laboratory Lead - Trulieve - Quincy, FL

(2017-03 - 2019-05)

• Led laboratory relocation project involving breakdown, transport, reinstallation, recalibration, and operational qualification of analytical instrumentation while maintaining uninterrupted testing throughput.
• Operated, calibrated, tuned, maintained, and troubleshot analytical instrumentation to support accurate and compliant laboratory testing operations.
• Performed preventive maintenance and calibration verification activities to ensure instrument reliability, analytical accuracy, and minimal operational downtime.
• Investigated microbiological contamination events and led remediation and corrective action efforts across multiple departments using root-cause analysis methodologies.
• Interpreted analytical and microbiological data to identify trends, deviations, and potential quality risks impacting production and product release.
• Served as primary liaison between third-party laboratories and internal production, quality, and compliance teams to ensure accurate reporting and timely resolution of analytical issues.
• Trained laboratory personnel on instrument operation, sample preparation, laboratory workflows, GMP/GLP practices, and daily analytical procedures.
• Oversaw laboratory design, workflow development, and operational expansion initiatives to improve laboratory efficiency and testing capacity.
• Supported SOP development, laboratory documentation updates, and compliance initiatives within regulated manufacturing and testing environments.

Partnerships & Laboratory Compliance - High Cloud Insights - Las Vegas, NV

(2024-06 - 2026-02)

• Conducted mock regulatory audits for analytical laboratories and manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with state and federal regulations, including GMP and ISO-aligned quality systems.
• Served as technical subject matter expert on analytical testing workflows, laboratory operations, and instrumentation-supported compliance requirements.
• Provided analytical and method-focused consulting support, including review of laboratory procedures, SOPs, and testing methodologies to improve consistency and regulatory alignment.
• Supported clients with process optimization initiatives, identifying workflow inefficiencies in laboratory operations and recommending corrective actions to improve analytical reliability and data integrity.
• Advised on regulatory updates and their impact on laboratory instrumentation, documentation practices, and analytical testing requirements.
• Contributed to business development initiatives through technical consultation, client engagement, and communication of laboratory compliance strategies.
• Investigated microbiological contamination events and led remediation and corrective action efforts across multiple departments using root-cause analysis methodologies.
• Interpreted analytical and microbiological data to identify trends, deviations, and potential quality risks impacting production and product release.
• Served as primary liaison between third-party laboratories and internal production, quality, and compliance teams to ensure accurate reporting and timely resolution of analytical issues.
• Trained laboratory personnel on instrument operation, sample preparation, laboratory workflows, GMP/GLP practices, and daily analytical procedures.
• Oversaw laboratory design, workflow development, and operational expansion initiatives to improve laboratory efficiency and testing capacity.
• Supported SOP development, laboratory documentation updates, and compliance initiatives within regulated manufacturing and testing environments.

Planning Clerk - BulkSupplements - Las Vegas, NV

(2026-02)

• Execute end-to-end production planning and work order release using NetSuite ERP, translating demand forecasts and inventory signals into actionable manufacturing schedules.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, warehouse, and supply chain teams to ensure material readiness, production sequencing, and uninterrupted workflow execution.
• Maintain accuracy of production orders, BOM structures, and routing data to support controlled manufacturing operations and traceability requirements.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in planning data, inventory status, and production execution to maintain operational continuity and reduce production delays.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing workflow inefficiencies within ERP planning systems and recommending corrective actions to improve execution accuracy and throughput.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production and quality teams to align scheduling priorities with manufacturing capacity and compliance requirements.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Biological Science - Florida State University (2016)

Associate of Science (A.S.) - Tallahassee Community College (2012)