AJAY KUMAR YENDURI
Centerton
Summary
HACCP and PCQI-certified Food Science graduate with hands-on experience in microbiological testing, food safety documentation, and quality control in academic and pilot plant settings. Knowledgeable in SQF principles, GMPs, SSOPs, and FSMA regulatory compliance. Experienced production professional with a strong focus on process optimization, quality assurance, and team collaboration in manufacturing environments. Proven ability to improve workflows, maintain safety standards, and drive operational efficiency. Eager to leverage both technical food science expertise and production experience to contribute to product development, innovation, and continuous improvement in food manufacturing.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Production Supervisor
Tyson Foods
Rover, AR
09.2025 - Current
- Supervised daily production operations, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and quality standards.
- Managed a team of 50–60 production employees, overseeing workflows and meeting production targets.
- Trained, mentored, and evaluated team members to improve performance, productivity, and skill development.
- Enforced compliance with industry regulations, company policies, and safety requirements.
- Monitored production schedules and adjusted workflows to meet changing demands efficiently.
- Collaborated with maintenance teams to reduce downtime through preventive maintenance and timely repairs.
- Identified process improvement opportunities and implemented solutions to enhance efficiency and product quality.
- Conducted quality inspections and initiated corrective actions to reduce defects and improve output.
- Performed root cause analysis on production issues and resolved them promptly to maintain productivity.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth and efficient production flow.
- Prepared for and managed production challenges including equipment failures, material shortages, and delays.
- Led continuous improvement initiatives to streamline operations and increase overall efficiency.
- Facilitated team meetings and promoted open communication to address issues and track progress.
- Fostered a positive and inclusive work environment to boost team morale and productivity.
- Managed hiring, training, and supervision of staff while building strong professional relationships.
Graduate Research Assistant
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS, US
08.2023 - 07.2025
- Completed a hands-on internship at Tyson Foods; observed poultry processing, GMP enforcement, and quality management practices in a high-volume production setting.
- Conducted routine microbiological testing for foodborne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, supporting critical food safety and regulatory compliance programs.
- Led antimicrobial studies evaluating the effectiveness of potassium ferrate on microbial reduction in water and food-contact surfaces.
- Studied and practiced yield monitoring and quality control checks in research and pilot plant environments, producing operational-style documentation for regulatory and academic purposes.
- Developed innovative food products including colostrum milk pudding and functional ice cream formulations with different dairy and non dairy based, integrating food science principles with formulation, texture optimization, and quality evaluation.
- Conducted and analyzed sensory studies with 250+ participants to align product development with consumer preferences, bridging technical R&D with market-driven insights.
- Applied aseptic techniques for sample preparation, culturing, enumeration (plate counts, MPN), and pathogen identification using selective media and biochemical assays.
- Maintained equipment logs and followed aseptic sampling techniques under BSL-2 lab protocols.
- Operated and calibrated lab instruments, including biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, pH meters, water activity analyzers, and spectrophotometers, to ensure accurate test results.
- Compiled technical reports and data presentations for regulatory documentation and academic publishing.
- Worked directly with a USDA officer during the slaughter and processing of a cow, pig, and herd of rabbits, observing inspection points and compliance measures.
- Supported lab safety, equipment maintenance, and protocol compliance as part of a cross-functional team.
- Contributed to the preparation and review of food safety documentation, including SOPs, testing protocols, and validation reports.
- Assisted in food science course delivery and lab demonstrations, emphasizing QA systems, HACCP principles, and regulatory standards.
- I served as a Teaching Assistant for QA-related coursework and conducted informational sessions on careers in food safety.
Internship - Laboratory Technician
University of Bologna
Bologna, Italy
10.2021 - 12.2021
- Evaluated post-harvest quality parameters of kiwi and apple fruits treated with girdling.
- Operated colorimeter, Brix meter, penetrometer, and digital pH-meter to ensure accurate data collection.
- Employed bio stimulators for prolonging fruit shelf life.
- Inspected fruits for diseases during shelf life, specifically targeting chilling injury.
Student Part-Time Work
University of Bologna
Bologna, Italy
10.2019 - 12.2019
- Managed crop monitoring and irrigation of Salsola soda, Salicornia, and Quinoa with specified salt concentration for experimental purposes.
- Tracked physiological parameters each week and maintained data in an Excel file.
- Utilized WP4c dewpoint potentiometer to assess water potential in leaves.
- Evaluated and documented post-harvest data encompassing fresh weight, dry weight, and nutrient levels of all plants.
Junior Executive Officer
Astona Global Ecosystems
Guntur, India
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Mass communication with people.
- Monitoring the crops throughout their growth period.
- Articulating and facilitating the implementation of management practices for farmers concerning pests and diseases.
- Enhancing knowledge of organic agriculture techniques to boost crop yields.
Education
Master's - Food Science
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS, US07-2025
Master's - International Horticulture Science
University of Bologna
Bologna, Italy03-2022
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Lovely Professional University
Jalandhar, Punjab, India07-2017
Skills
- Microbial analysis
- GMP's
- HACCP
- PCQI
- Laboratory equipment operation
- PCR
- Research
- Root cause analysis
- Environmental monitoring
- Allergen control
- Aseptic techniques and media preparation
- Quality control tests
- Microsoft Office
- Problem-solving
- Highly adaptable and flexible in dynamic environments
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Skilled in teamwork and independent work settings
- Effective at time management and multitasking
- Mass communication
- Employee Training Support & Retention Awareness
- Production Operations & Process Flow Observation
- Documentation & Record Keeping
- Production management
- Training and mentoring
- Continuous improvement
Certification
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points(HACCP) - Issued on 2025-06-02 — certificate number - sf2506cs210.
- Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) - Issued on 2025-06-14 — certificate number - 0a922c8b.
Affiliations
- Activities:
- Parliamentarian, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Science, MS State
- Member, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Science, MS State
- Member, Graduate School Association, MS State
- Member, Food Science Club, MS State
Community Engagement
- Mississippi State University
- Summer 2025: Mentored high school students as part of the Rural Medical & Science Scholars program on laboratory practices and food science careers
- Summer 2025: Helped, planned, and executed interactive activities for the Agricultural Science Professional Development (ACRE)program for Grades 6-12 teachers
- Spring 2025: Judge for the Food Symposium Student Poster Competition
- Spring 2024: Helped, planned, and executed interactive activities for the Agricultural Science Professional Development(ACRE) program for Grades 6-12 teachers
- Summer 2024: Mentored high school students as part of the Rural Medical & Science Scholars program on laboratory practices and food science careers
- Summer 2024: Engaged Pre-K and grade school students on Careers in Food Science
- Fall 2024: Helped, planned, and executed interactive activities for the Agricultural Science Professional Development (ACRE)program for Grades 6-12 teachers
Timeline
Production Supervisor
Tyson Foods
09.2025 - Current
Graduate Research Assistant
Mississippi State University
08.2023 - 07.2025
Internship - Laboratory Technician
University of Bologna
10.2021 - 12.2021
Student Part-Time Work
University of Bologna
10.2019 - 12.2019
Junior Executive Officer
Astona Global Ecosystems
08.2017 - 07.2018
Master's - International Horticulture Science
University of Bologna
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Lovely Professional University
Master's - Food Science
Mississippi State University