DAN HEMMING
Turlock,CA
Summary
Technical leader with proven track record in driving innovative solutions and optimizing technical processes. Skilled in team collaboration, fostering results-driven environment, and adapting to changing needs. Expertise in project management, system integration, and strategic planning, coupled with strong focus on achieving organizational goals. Known for reliability, effective communication, and proactive approach to problem-solving.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Technical Director
Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC
Turlock, CA
01.2020 - Current
- Manage new product development projects and technical sales program for Sensient Natural Ingredients (SNI), a division of Sensient Technologies, Inc. Regulatory oversight of all FDA related programs at SNI, product specifications and formulations, SNI site certifications and product compliance.
- Managed the development and introduction of fire-roasted dry vegetables, pasteurized dehydrated onion and four new chili pepper varieties as new products for SNI.
- Training of internal staff and sales managers on new products.
- Continuous competitive product analysis and differentiation, including sensory analysis, food safety factors, microbiological and product physical attribute comparisons.
- Development of multiple trend-based new products each year, across multiple industry segments. These new products are used for tastings and training customers on the application of SNI ingredients.
- Supervise a team of three regulatory staff, overseeing all aspects of product specifications and product regulatory compliance.
Director of Quality Assurance, Food Safety & Regulatory
Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC
Turlock, CA
2013 - 01.2020
- Manage the food safety, quality control, sanitation and regulatory programs for SNI
- Assure compliance with the company’s food safety, quality, and sanitation programs by developing a food safety culture as well as continuously revising operational processes and procedures at three BRC certified sites; two in California and one in Qingdao, China
- Managed organic certification for the California locations, gluten-free certification from the Gluten Intolerance Group, and Non-GMO Project certification. Maintenance of Kosher and Halal certifications.
- Led a project team to bring microbiology testing in-house – designed, built and staffed a microbiology lab to ISO 17025 standards at an independent site in Turlock, California. Internal micro testing includes PCR-based pathogen testing, traditional and Petrifilm plating techniques. $1.5MM project with a $800,000+ annual return on investment.
- Management of emerging food industry issues with potential impact to Sensient Natural Ingredients and customers; for example, peanut allergen in cumin in late 2014 and peanut allergen in Chinese garlic in 2015-2016.
- Oversight of all product specifications and specification negotiations with customers. Direct management of labeling, technical white papers and bulletins, customer required/requested documentation and all customer sampling activities.
- Maintain budgeted department operations with a $4 million annual budget.
QA/QC Manager
Post Foods LLC
Modesto, CA
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Manage the site's quality and food safety programs, collaborate with corporate R&D for on-site projects
- Maintain finished goods & raw material specification adherence, including positive hold and release systems
- On-site rep/lead for R&D plant trials and scale-up operations with corporate Post Foods R&D team
- Maintain HACCP plans and manage programs to maintain SQF site certification
- Manage plant sanitation programs & master sanitation schedules
- Maintain the department annual budget of $800,000
Research & Development Manager
Gilroy Foods & Flavors/ConAgra Foods Inc.
Modesto, CA
2004 - 01.2010
- Managed R&D and NPD projects with an annual department operating budget of $2,000,000.
- Oversight of all new product development and long-term research activities
- Collaborate closely with marketing, sales, legal, operations, quality control and other departments associated with new product development, scale-up and release to the marketplace.
- Technical sales and customer presentations in coordination with Sales, Marketing, and Culinary based on a customer’s portfolio and culinary trends.
- Areas of responsibility also included product specifications, all technical documentation, regulatory, product labeling and all customer sampling activities
Quality Services Supervisor
Gilroy Foods/ConAgra Foods Inc.
Modesto, CA
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Supervision of 15-20 quality technicians and product testing (physical, chemical, microbiological)
- Product quality releases & holds
- Customer complaint investigations
- Review and provide product specification updates
- Positive hold and release of purchased finished goods
- Maintain internal audit program for GMP & HACCP compliance
- Pre-op sanitation checks
- Write/review/approve process specifications
- Assist on-site manager with customer and third part audits including AIB, NFPA Safe and BRC
Chemistry Supervisor/Technical Services Leader
Basic Vegetable Products, LLC
King City, CA
01.1996 - 01.2000
- Analytical chemistry & sensory science support role, maintain raw material specifications.
- Summer/Fall 1999 - Production supervision and Proctor dryer operator for garlic and onion dehydration during a labor dispute
- Development and training of a sensory, Quantitative Descriptive Analysis, panel for dehydrated garlic and onion to characterize and differentiate California and Chinese sourced products.
- Managed the quality control of nutraceutical garlic production with a 95+% first pass quality rate
- Analytical chemistry support for product development
- Technical support for suppliers and co-packers
- Co-packer and vendor food safety audits
Education
M.S. - Botany, plant physiology
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT12-1995
B.S. - Chemistry
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT04-1994
No Degree -
Culinary Institute of America
Skills
- Project management
- PCQI & HACCP Certified
- Collaborative Problem-solving
- Process Validation testing
- Team mentoring
Affiliations
- American Spice Trade Association
- Board of Directors, 2024 to present
- Food Safety Committee, 2013 to 2024
- Committee Chair, 2020 to 2023
- California State University, Stanislaus, Food Safety Curriculum Committee; 2012-2013
- Institute of Food Technologists; 2001 to present
- Certified Food Scientist, inaugural certification in 2013
- Research Chef’s Association; 2005 to 2011, 2020 to present
- Chair, RCA/IFT Pavilion Event for the 2009 IFT National Meeting in Anaheim, Ca.
- Co-Chair, RCA/IFT Pavilion Event at the 2008 IFT National Meeting in New Orleans, La.
Certification
- Certified Food Scientist, IFT
- Process Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
- HACCP Certified
- SQF Practitioner
Timeline
Technical Director
Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC
01.2020 - Current
QA/QC Manager
Post Foods LLC
01.2010 - 01.2013
Quality Services Supervisor
Gilroy Foods/ConAgra Foods Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2004
Chemistry Supervisor/Technical Services Leader
Basic Vegetable Products, LLC
01.1996 - 01.2000
B.S. - Chemistry
Brigham Young University
Director of Quality Assurance, Food Safety & Regulatory
Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC
2013 - 01.2020
Research & Development Manager
Gilroy Foods & Flavors/ConAgra Foods Inc.
2004 - 01.2010
M.S. - Botany, plant physiology
Brigham Young University
No Degree -
Culinary Institute of America