Amanda Maciejewski
Crystal Lake,IL
Summary
Experienced Food Safety & Quality professional of over 10 years. Proven track record in enhancement of Food Safety culture, effective change management & mentorship. Dedicated to process improvements to keep consumers safe with high quality products.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of FSQA
Kilcoy Global Foods
Mundelein, IL
08.2024 - Current
- Fast-Tracked QMS rollout improvements including: Automated supplier approval, KPI Dashboards, Sanitation Verification and Chemical Inventory leading to reduction in paper documents.
- Restructured labor to open multiple new roles monitoring compliance and maintain audit ready status.
- Achieved excellent SQF rating for the first time in company history within 10 months of hire.
- Created dedicated pre-op team to improve start up efficiency and downtime reduction.
- Reduced customer complaints by 20% comparative to previous year with a 30% increase to production volume.
- Launched 10 new product lines for food service & retail customers.
Director of National FSQA & Supply Chain Quality
Home Chef
Chicago, IL
01.2022 - 08.2024
- Head of Recall Team
- Owner of the Supplier Approval Program including FSVP requirements of ~500 suppliers
- FSQA Technical expert for new product development, customer complaints and risk management
- Restructured labor for 30% savings without reduction in work performed
- Expanded use of QMS software: TraceGains & Safety Chain leading to vendor award for continuous improvement
- Implemented multiple process improvements resulting from risk assessments and investigations
- Lead startup of all FSQA functions for multiple new facilities including: sanitary design, sanitation, staffing & training, regulatory inspections & supply acquisition
- Led monthly & annual performance presentation for executive team with displaying continuous KPI improvements
- Monitor & Improve trends of KPIs: GMP Compliance, Food Safety Culture, Sanitation Performance & Customer Complaints
- Owned relationship between sites & corporate office: Engineering, CI, Logistics, Customer Support
- Lead sites GFSI: SQF audits and regulatory visits including CAPA submissions & closeouts
- Manage budget for materials & labor for all facilities with a first year cost reduction of over 300K
- Author, spokesperson & educator for all Food Safety & Quality programs for the network - including high risk line
FSQA Manager
Home Chef
Chicago, IL & Atlanta, GA
04.2020 - 01.2022
- Developed multiple entry level employees to leadership roles
- Manage FSQA & Sanitation departments across three shifts, over 120 employees
- Collaborate with plant department heads on solutions for operational difficulties and out of compliance products
- Achieve & maintain excellent SQF ratings for multiple facilities back to back
- Implement technology for Sanitation efficiency & cost savings wins
- Root Cause & Action against missed KPI targets for site
- Coordinate site efforts in recall/withdrawal situations
- Write, verify, monitor SOPs & SSOPs
Quality Management Specialist
Home Chef
Chicago, IL
12.2019 - 04.2020
- Staffed team to support 50% increase in volume within 2 weeks
- Escalation point for all Food Safety & Quality issues at 24/7 facility
- Owned pivotal programs including: Calibration, Internal auditing, CAPAs, Management Reviews and Food Defense
- Monitor Food Safety & Quality Verification Activities for continuous improvement opportunities
- SQF Practitioner - leading team to 95% score
- Back-up to FSQA manager.
Quality Specialist
ALDI, Inc.
Batavia, IL
06.2019 - 12.2019
- Conducted execution of recalls & stop sales for retail products as required
- Developed & oversaw the FSVP program with approximately 100 foreign suppliers
- Leader of supplier approval program
- Formulate action plans for customer complaint trends
- Monitor and respond to inquiries from regulatory agencies (USDA, FDA, State & local)
- Issue & closeout non-conformances with suppliers following significant Food Safety or Quality events
Quality Specialist
Harvest Food Group
Chicago, IL
12.2016 - 06.2019
- Manage all technical documentation & customer complaints for ~ 300 customers
- Lead Organic, Kosher, and Gluten Free certifications
- Investigate retail customer complaints responding to major retailers with resolutions
- Oversee the supplier approval program for all raw materials & packaging ~250 suppliers
- Conduct audits of 3rd party suppliers
- Support audit preparation for SQF, Customer Audits & Regulatory inspections
- Responded to USDA findings in partnership with FSQA supervisor
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Vita Food Products
12.2015 - 12.2016
- Lead response efforts to FDA warning letter for successful closeout
- Lead BRC audit to score of A, seeing through any closeouts for findings
- Obtained gluten free certification
- Established supplier approval program
- Oversee & sign all documentation for Positive Release Program
- Conduct & lead internal auditing programs
- Main contact between key vendors and company including: Pest Control, Waste Management, Sanitation, and 3rd party laboratories
Quality Assurance Technician
Vegetable Juices, Inc.
Chicago, IL
06.2014 - 12.2015
- Perform analytical testing on products (pH, salt & acid titrations, brix, water activity, moisture, viscosity
- Prepare samples for microbiological testing
- Monitory Critical Control Points, managing deviations as needed
Education
Bachelor of Biology -
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL06.2014
Certification
- Shelf-Life Determination, 2020
- HACCP for Seafood Processors, 2015
- Internal Auditing for Food Manufacturers, 2016
- HACCP for Food Manufacturers, 2017
- Preventative Controls for Human Food (PCQI), 2019
- Foreign Supplier Verification, 2019
- SERV Safe Food Protection Manager, 2021
- Six Sigma Green Belt, 2021
- Statistical Process Control, 2021
Timeline
Head of FSQA
Kilcoy Global Foods
08.2024 - Current
Director of National FSQA & Supply Chain Quality
Home Chef
01.2022 - 08.2024
FSQA Manager
Home Chef
04.2020 - 01.2022
Quality Management Specialist
Home Chef
12.2019 - 04.2020
Quality Specialist
ALDI, Inc.
06.2019 - 12.2019
Quality Specialist
Harvest Food Group
12.2016 - 06.2019
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Vita Food Products
12.2015 - 12.2016
Quality Assurance Technician
Vegetable Juices, Inc.
06.2014 - 12.2015
Bachelor of Biology -
Northeastern Illinois University