DOMINIQUE BARARD
New Orleans,LA
Summary
25-year senior leader in analytical services and quality management, specializing in driving operational excellence in manufacturing environments. Expertise includes laboratory modernization, Quality Management Systems, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, resulting in improved performance metrics and customer satisfaction.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Quality Manager
W. R. Grace
Lake Charles, LA
08.2015 - 03.2026
- Reported directly to the Plant Manager with dotted-line accountability to the Global Quality Director, serving as the senior site quality and analytical services leader for seven operating units.
- Directed analytical laboratory strategy and quality systems for raw materials, in-process manufacturing, finished products, product release, customer requirements, and environmental testing, ensuring accurate, timely, reliable data for informed manufacturing decisions.
- Led analytical readiness for startup and commercialization of a new hydroprocessing catalyst manufacturing unit, including laboratory setup, method readiness, equipment implementation, qualification support, and advanced particle characterization technology for efficient production testing.
- Led analytical laboratory modernization and technical capability improvements, including advanced particle characterization, surface-area testing, porosimetry, mastersizer XRF/XRD, ICP, chromatography, titrations and other analytical platforms supporting catalyst and specialty chemical manufacturing.
- Led a multidisciplinary organization of approximately 30 quality and laboratory professionals; coached technical leaders, strengthened accountability, and developed organizational capability across laboratory and manufacturing quality functions.
- Optimized catalyst and zeolite surface-area testing through technical research, vendor collaboration, and method improvement, reducing analytical cycle time from approximately 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours (~40%) and sharing the improved practice with sister sites.
- Partnered with LIMS administrators to redesign laboratory workflows by creating test-specific work queues and performance reporting by method, shift, and technician, improving workload visibility, turnaround tracking, and laboratory productivity.
- Established quality and laboratory performance metrics, executive dashboards, and KPI reviews with enterprise data and Power BI to identify trends, prioritize risks, and monitor turnaround and quality performance, enabling data-driven leadership decisions.
- Drove Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving initiatives using DMAIC, PDCA, statistical analysis, risk assessment, TapRooT, Equifactor, and RCCA to reduce variation, prevent recurrence, and improve operational performance.
Quality Manager & Chief Chemist / Quality Systems Manager
W. R. Grace
Baltimore, Maryland
11.2013 - 12.2015
- Led design and implementation of a harmonized multi-site QMS with standardized procedures, analytical methods, data integrity controls, and product release processes that reduced inter-laboratory variability and supported interchangeable manufacturing capability.
- Directed quality systems, analytical laboratory operations, and quality governance across two manufacturing facilities, aligning analytical methods, product release processes, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing support requirements.
- Managed laboratory modernization, quality capital projects, analytical equipment implementation, and advanced testing technologies to improve testing capability, reliability, turnaround, and manufacturing responsiveness.
- Supervised and developed a multidisciplinary team of 44 quality professionals, including chemists, laboratory technicians, managers, supervisors, engineers, and process coordinators, while building accountability and succession readiness.
- Directed supplier quality, raw material qualification, customer complaint investigations, CAPA/RCCA, and product qualification activities, enhancing product quality and process capability while increasing customer satisfaction.
- Led internal, customer, supplier, ISO 9001, cGMP, and VPP audit programs; served as ISO 9001 Site Coordinator and primary quality liaison, ensuring compliance and fostering collaboration with customers, suppliers, and corporate leadership.
- Developed standardized quality metrics and operational review processes using laboratory and manufacturing data, improving performance visibility and accelerating issue resolution for leadership decision-making.
- Applied Lean Six Sigma, statistical analysis, and structured problem-solving to identify trends, reduce variation, improve process capability, and strengthen analytical and business performance.
QA/QC Supervising Chemist
Phillips 66
Belle Chasse, LA
12.2010 - 09.2013
- Advanced through progressive laboratory roles from Contract Technician to Analytical Chemist and Supervising Chemist in a high-throughput refining and manufacturing laboratory environment.
- Supervised analytical laboratory activities for raw materials, in-process samples, finished products, water, and wastewater testing to ensure specification compliance and inform manufacturing decisions.
- Coordinated instrument calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and execution of analytical methods across GC, ICP, IR, wet chemistry, titration, and related laboratory platforms.
- Ensured data integrity and quality reporting through LIMS, trend analysis, and technical reporting while monitoring laboratory performance.
Analytical Chemist
Phillips 66
Belle Chasse, LA
12.2002 - 12.2010
- Conducted routine and advanced chemical and physical testing on raw materials, in-process samples, finished products, water, and wastewater, contributing to quality assurance in a high-volume refinery laboratory.
- Executed instrument calibration, troubleshooting, and method execution while managing LIMS data and technical reporting to ensure reliable analytical results and maintain specification compliance.
- Conducted chemical analyses using chromatography and spectroscopy techniques.
- Developed and optimized analytical methods for product quality assessments.
- Maintained laboratory equipment to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Quality Control Chemist
Cytec Industries
Westwego, LA
12.1999 - 12.2002
- Managed laboratory calibration schedules, preventive maintenance, and analytical instrumentation to enhance equipment reliability and ensure data accuracy.
- Supported QMS activities including CAPA, ISO compliance, and audits to maintain regulatory standards and foster continuous improvement.
- Conducted routine analysis of chemical samples for quality assurance.
- Developed and implemented testing protocols for new products.
- Collaborated with production teams to identify quality issues.
Multi-skilled Chemist
Union Carbide
Taft, LA
12.1997 - 12.1999
- Achieved certification in laboratory and spray congealer operations, trained on multiple analytical platforms including GC, MS, ICP, pH, colorimetry, enhancing testing capabilities.
- Ensured safe laboratory operations by managing SDS, implementing Chemical Hygiene Plan requirements, qualifying instruments, and conducting compliant analytical testing.
- Conducted chemical analyses to ensure product quality and compliance with specifications.
- Developed and optimized laboratory methods for testing and analysis of materials.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot production issues effectively.
Chemist
Thionville Laboratories
Harahan, LA
12.1995 - 12.1997
- Conducted analytical testing on grain products ensuring compliance with FDA and OSHA requirements using wet chemistry, potentiometric titration, IR, GC, AA, moisture, fiber/fat extraction, and protein analysis to support quality assurance.
- Tracked instrument performance trends and compiled monthly laboratory performance reports to ensure statistical control, maintain data integrity, and enhance analytical system stability.
- Conducted chemical analyses to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Developed and validated analytical methods for various compounds.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve laboratory processes.
Lab Technician
BioTech Research Laboratory
Huntsville, AL
06.1993 - 12.1995
- Conducted chemical and physical testing of raw materials, in-process batches, water, finished food products, and wastewater; documented results in LIMS and prepared technical reports for quality assurance.
- Conducted experiments to analyze biological samples and ensure quality control.
- Operated laboratory equipment for preparing and testing various substances.
- Maintained accurate records of experimental procedures and results for compliance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Xavier University of Louisiana
05-1993
Skills
- Quality management systems
- Analytical Laboratory Leadership
- Laboratory Strategy & Modernization
- Lean Six Sigma
- Continuous Improvement
- Technical Expertise: Analytical Laboratory Operations, GC, XRF, XRD, ICP, Micromeritics, Malvern, LECO, Horiba, FOSS, Claisse, Chromelex, ChromPerfect, SIMDIS
- LIMS
- SAP
- Power BI
- KPI Dashboards & Data Analytics
- Analytical Method Optimization
- Audit management
- CAPA/RCCA
- Audit Leadership
- Product Qualification & Release
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Digital tools
- Safety compliance
- Data-driven decisions
- Leadership Development
- Soft Skills: Leadership, Team Development, Communication
Personal Information
Title: SENIOR ANALYTICAL SERVICES | QUALITY | LABORATORY OPERATIONS LEADER
Timeline
Senior Quality Manager
W. R. Grace
08.2015 - 03.2026
Quality Manager & Chief Chemist / Quality Systems Manager
W. R. Grace
11.2013 - 12.2015
QA/QC Supervising Chemist
Phillips 66
12.2010 - 09.2013
Analytical Chemist
Phillips 66
12.2002 - 12.2010
Quality Control Chemist
Cytec Industries
12.1999 - 12.2002
Multi-skilled Chemist
Union Carbide
12.1997 - 12.1999
Chemist
Thionville Laboratories
12.1995 - 12.1997
Lab Technician
BioTech Research Laboratory
06.1993 - 12.1995
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Xavier University of Louisiana