Daniel Dennis
Aspire Bakeries
West Columbia,SC
1
Language
1
Certification
22
years of professional experience
Detail-oriented professional with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills. Leads teams effectively in high-pressure environments while managing multiple tasks. Enforces and educates on regulatory and quality standards, with comprehensive knowledge of FDA, HACCP, OSHA, AIB, BRC, DHEC, and cGMP regulations.
Work History
Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager
4 Years 8 Months- Reported to the Sr. QA Manager and managed 16 quality assurance associates and 3 Food Safety Quality Assurance Supervisors
- Maintained the Food Safety Plans on 5 production lines
- Lead Internal and External Inspections and audits by third party GFSI accredited and Regulatory Certifications body's.
- Led Internal and External Inspections and audits by third party GFSI accredited and Regulatory Certifications bodies.
- Ensured Compliance of all programs
- Conducted customer complaint investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Procurement, Maintenance, and Sanitation to ensure Continuous Improvement
- Trained team members on quality procedures, audit readiness, and plant compliance expectations.
- Monitored supplier and incoming ingredient quality to prevent contamination and production delays.
- Collaborated with operations and maintenance to resolve quality issues and improve workflow consistency.
- Maintained comprehensive documentation of QA activities, supporting effective communication between departments and facilitating process improvements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
- Oversaw onboarding and training of new employees to promote qualified and well-coordinated quality assurance team.
- Assessed investigation reports of subordinate quality assurance personnel and addressed any procedural deviations.
- Enhanced team performance by providing regular training, feedback, and guidance to Quality Assurance staff.
- Provided technical support for troubleshooting equipment issues or other production challenges that impacted product quality levels.
- Served as a key liaison between Quality Assurance and other departments, facilitating collaborative efforts that led to increased product consistency and customer satisfaction.
- Led regular meetings with staff to review performance metrics, address any concerns or challenges, and provide updates on organizational initiatives related to quality assurance.
- Established robust supplier relationships through regular communication, performance evaluations, and ongoing support in meeting quality standards.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering open communication, recognizing individual achievements, and supporting teamwork within the Quality Assurance department.
- Boosted customer satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns, investigating root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
- Championed a culture of quality awareness, fostering employee engagement in maintaining high standards across all operations.
- Reduced defect rates through meticulous inspection and proactive identification of potential issues.
- Monitored testing processes, test development and user acceptance testing.
- Provided development team with insights and recommendations on Product usability and functionality by reviewing and analyzing internal data.
- Analyzed data from quality metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement, driving targeted action plans based on findings.
- Used Microsoft Word to maintain database of test reports and calibration records.
- Collaborated with development team and reviewed technical specifications to create testing programs.
- Contributed to new product development projects by providing expertise on quality requirements during design and production stages.
- Streamlined processes with the introduction of automated testing tools, increasing efficiency and reducing human error.
- Conducted risk assessments for proposed changes in processes or materials to evaluate potential impact on product quality and ensure smooth implementation.
- Achieved consistent compliance with industry regulations by conducting thorough audits and ensuring adherence to standards.
- Educated employees on specific QA standards and confirmed maintenance of standards.
- Provided regular updates to team leadership on quality metrics by communicating consistency problems or production deficiencies.
- Applied coaching techniques and tools to support managers and team members in improving performance.
- Tracked quality issues with external customers, suppliers, and internal plant operations.
- Monitored staff organization and suggested improvements to daily functionality.
- Inspected products and worker progress throughout production.
- Collaborated with audit clients and action owners to apply root cause analysis guidance and establish effective corrective action plans.
- Recorded, analyzed, and distributed statistical information.
- Implemented new quality assurance and customer service standards.
- Reported production malfunctions to managers and production supervisors.
- Developed quality planning for multiple new product launches by verifying customer requirements and implementing in design and production.
- Scheduled and chaired quality review meetings to review effectiveness of performance mitigating risk, improving throughput and achieving customer satisfaction.
- Established and tracked quality department goals and objectives.
- Determined quality department standards, practices, and procedures.
- Specified quality requirements of raw materials with suppliers.
- Assured consistent quality of production by implementing and enforcing automated practice systems.
Quality Assurance Supervisor/BRC Cordinator
11 Years 9 Months- Reports to the QA Manager and supervises 16 quality assurance associates.
- Trains the quality assurance technicians on a monthly basis covering various topics which includes but is not limited to (HACCP, GMP, Food Security, etc.)
- Manages the department spending budget and reviews cost with the department manager prior to fiscal month end.
- Participates in weekly food safety and GMP audits with the facility management team
- Performs a monthly corrective action verification audit to ensure corrective solutions are completed within the allotted time.
- Leads team investigation into internal and external quality or foreign material concerns using RCA tools to identify the true root cause and CAPA.
- Investigates and responds to customer complaints.
- Maintains monthly Glass, Brittle Plastics, and Ceramics Program and the annual Chemical Control Program.
- Conducts trace exercises and reconciliations.
- Evaluates conditions of the manufacturing facility and warehouse space to ensure compliance to regulatory and HACCP requirements.
- Audits programs to support quality objectives.
- Follows safety regulations, participates in process improvement activities, and meets performance schedules.
- Maintains product quality through adherence to GMP and HACCP guidelines, product specifications and quality procedures by monitoring and documenting compliance to quality parameters.
- Maintained and updated quality non-conforming product database, ensuring accurate product dispositions.
- Writes and revises standard operating procedures and work instructions.
- Defines sampling plans for new product implementation.
- QUALITY ASSURANCE
- Supervised quality assurance staff during production, ensuring GMP, HACCP, and sanitation compliance.
- Conducted line inspections to verify compliance with product specifications, packaging integrity, and food safety standards.
- Reviewed documentation for accuracy, traceability, and release readiness across finished goods.
- Led corrective actions for nonconforming materials, supporting timely resolution and process control.
- Coordinated pre-operational checks and environmental sanitation verification before startup.
- Trained team members on quality procedures, audit readiness, and plant compliance expectations.
- Monitored supplier and incoming ingredient quality to prevent contamination and production delays.
- Collaborated with operations and maintenance to resolve quality issues, enhancing workflow consistency.
- Maintained comprehensive documentation of QA activities, supporting effective communication between departments and facilitating process improvements.
- Performed monthly audits on all bakery SOPS, uploaded information to site Database system and reported to all non compliances to the Food Safety Quality Manager
- Lead all internal and external audits
- Escorted and assisted the Rabbi during monthly Kosher Certification Audits.
Quality Laboratory Specialist
2 Years 1 Month- Conducted quarterly proficiency, biological, physical, and chemical testing to ensure compliance with quality standards.
- Executed sampling and testing of bulk trucks and unitized ingredients to verify quality and safety.
- Performed calibration of all quality instrumentation.
- Enter receipts into SAP systems and receiving log.
- Provided support during customer complaint investigations.
- Enter receipts into BPCS system and receiving log.
- Supported customer complaint investigations by analyzing test results and contributing to resolution efforts.
Quality Assurance Line Technician II
3 Years 3 Months- Performed drinking water analysis for nitrate, nitrite, and fluoride by colorimetric analysis and drinking water testing for Haloacetic Acids and Trihalomethanes using chromatography (GC) per EPA approved methods.
- Updated standard operating procedures to improve clarity and compliance.
- Recorded data in Laboratory Information System (LIMS) and maintained laboratory log books for accurate data reporting and archival.
- Prepared parameter standards and reagents.
- Performed minor instrument maintenance and calibration to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
- Conducted environmental testing to ensure regulatory compliance and safety.
Education
High School Diploma
Skills
Computer: MS Office (Proficient)
SAP
SAP
Minitab
Internal audits
Continuous improvement
Quality assurance management
Root cause analysis
Laboratory: Colorimetric Analysis
Particle Size Analysis
pH
Analytical Balances
Viscosity
Moisture Content
Accomplishments
Assisted the Facility in Achieving and Maintaining an A and AA rating for BRC audits.
Decreased customer complaints
Employee of the Year
Certification
- Sept. 2011 American Institute of Baking (AIB) - Food Defense Coordinator
- Jun. 15, 2011 Gruels and Associates - Radiation and X-ray Certification
- Jan. 19, 2011 3M Laboratory - Aerobic Count Plates
- Jan. 19, 2011 3M Laboratory - E.Coli/Coliform Count Plates
- Jan. 19, 2011 3M Laboratory - Yeast and Mold Count Plates
- Jan. 19, 2011 3M Laboratory - Environmental Monitoring Procedures
- Jan. 19, 2011 3M Laboratory - Incubation Times and Temperatures
- Nov. 11, 2010 Microbac Laboratory - Basics of Food Microbiology
- Nov. 10, 2010 Siliker Laboratories - Advanced HACCP Certification
- Sept. 17, 2010 Neogen Corporation - Reveal Allergen Test System
Languages
English
Professional Working
Timeline
Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager
Aspire Bakeries
11.2021 - 07.2026Read More
Quality Assurance Supervisor/BRC Cordinator
Aspipre Bakeries
02.2010 - 11.2021Read More
Quality Laboratory Specialist
Aryzta
01.2008 - 02.2010Read More
Quality Assurance Line Technician II
Otis Spunkmeyer Inc.
10.2004 - 01.2008Read More
Batesburg-Leesville High
High School Diploma
Read More