Bethany Nickell
Siloam Springs,AR
Summary
Seasoned FSQA Superintendent with a proven track record at Simmons Prepared Foods, adept in Total Quality Management and fostering team collaboration. Excelled in enhancing quality systems, achieving significant compliance milestones, and developing personnel. Skilled in Microsoft Office and problem-solving, demonstrating a robust ability to meet and exceed quality standards.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FSQA Superintendent
Simmons Prepared Foods
Gentry, AR
12.2021 - Current
- Handles the quality department's day-to-day activities and reports to the facility's Quality Manager.
- Assists in verifying the daily entry of food safety records into the data collection program (Infinity).
- Manages the audit program, verifying and updating SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and SWIs (Standard Work Instructions) so processes are up to date and being followed.
- Works with both internal and external auditors to maintain BRC certification for the facility.
- Ensures continued functionality of HACCP and Pre-Requisite programs through rigorous validation.
- Executed annual reviews ensuring compliance with procedures.
- Developed and implemented quality management systems to ensure compliance with customer requirements.
- Conducted training sessions for employees on quality assurance processes, techniques and tools.
- Monitored product performance against customer specifications and standards, ensuring that all products met the required standards.
- Maintained records related to product inspections, tests, calibrations and other quality control activities in accordance with applicable regulations.
- Prepared reports summarizing findings from inspections, tests, investigations and other QA activities for senior management review.
- Trained and developed employees in effort to contribute to overall professional growth.
- Reviewed standard operating procedures or quality assurance manuals to refine production processes or update for conformity to new regulations or policies.
- Monitored execution of testing activities, directing supervisors, inspectors, and floor workers according to testing specifications to gather accurate, useful data.
- Managed company onboarding processes, interviewing, and selecting new quality assurance personnel.
- Fostered a team-oriented environment, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing among quality and production staff.
- Developed and maintained quality documentation, including quality manuals, procedures, and records.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to ensure product compliance with quality standards and customer requirements.
Thermal Processing Technician
Simmons Pet Food
Decatur, USA
02.2020 - 12.2021
- Reviewed food safety records and managed process deviations.
- Supports verification of daily food safety records in the Infinity data collection program.
- Manages the audit program, verifying and updating SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and SWIs (Standard Work Instructions) so processes are up to date and being followed.
- Coordinate with external and internal auditors for GFSI standards maintenance.
- Upheld and managed the robust food safety plan.
- Managed facility inspections ensuring compliance with GMP and food safety standards.
- Assisted with maintaining external calibrations for lab equipment.
Raw Material Specialist
Simmons Pet Food
Siloam Springs, USA
01.2018 - 02.2020
- Performed testing and verification of all incoming ingredients to the warehouse facility.
- Pull and maintain a library of samples from ingredients used by the pet food facility for testing and verification purposes.
- Helps train and assist scale house technicians in performing similar tasks at the main production facility.
- Obtains samples of ingredients for outside testing, and ships them out on a regular basis.
- Populate a database with testing data from both in-house and outside labs.
- Assists the warehouse with sanitation audits monthly.
- Maintains quarterly validation of mycotoxin proficiency for all technicians performing tests and quarterly testing on ingredients for NIR validation from outside labs.
- Inspected incoming shipments for accuracy and quality assurance purposes.
Technical Services/ Pilot Plant Manager
Del Monte Foods
Siloam Springs, USA
01.2015 - 10.2017
- Conducted studies to pinpoint manufacturing challenges.
- Responsible for the operation of the still and rotary retort systems residing within the Siloam Springs pilot facility.
- Demonstrated expertise in thermal processing principles. Collected heat penetration data during the thermal processing of new and legacy items.
- Assisted in the development of new products by conducting tests on raw materials, components, and finished products.
- Collaborated with R&D team members to develop prototypes for new products.
- Engineered product prototypes and tested product functionality, feasibility and longevity.
- Maintained inventory of laboratory supplies, reagents, and other materials needed for experiments.
- Assisted the Director of Thermal Processing in creating processes for products produced in the canning facilities.
- Developed food safety plan for Siloam Springs pilot facility after its completion in early 2017.
- Oversaw production process and resolved product issues.
- Instrumental in the development of a new-to-market dry bean line, I performed trials on the initial sales samples, heat penetration trials, and quick turn samples for the customer while on-site at the facility.
Quality Control Supervisor
Allen Canning Company/Sager Creek Vegetable Company
Siloam Springs, USA
11.2011 - 01.2014
- Managed lab technicians in training and daily functions.
- Aided lab techs with lab equipment care and use.
- Performed inspections on incoming raw materials, components, and finished products.
- Analyzed test data to determine conformance to specifications.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable standards and regulations.
- Assisted in verifying the data entry of daily processes into a data collection program (LIMS).
- Conducted root cause analysis for non-conformances and reported findings.
- Documented all inspection results in the company database system.
- Trained new employees on proper use of inspection tools and techniques.
- Performed regular maintenance on equipment used in quality assurance processes.
Education
High School -
Westville High School
Westville05-2005
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Windows OS
- Statistical Data Software
- Data Entry
- Total quality management
- Problem-solving
- Experienced Personnel Manager
- HACCP Training
- Validation management
Certification
- Better Processing Control School, June 2013
- FSPCA Animal & Human, November 2018
- Basic HACCP, July 2021
- Advanced HACCP, September 2024
Timeline
FSQA Superintendent
Simmons Prepared Foods
12.2021 - Current
Thermal Processing Technician
Simmons Pet Food
02.2020 - 12.2021
Raw Material Specialist
Simmons Pet Food
01.2018 - 02.2020
Technical Services/ Pilot Plant Manager
Del Monte Foods
01.2015 - 10.2017
Quality Control Supervisor
Allen Canning Company/Sager Creek Vegetable Company
11.2011 - 01.2014
- Better Processing Control School, June 2013
- FSPCA Animal & Human, November 2018
- Basic HACCP, July 2021
- Advanced HACCP, September 2024
High School -
Westville High School
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