Douglas Cagle
Quality Assurance Professional
Benton,AR
Summary
Quality professional with 10 years of experience dedicated to elevating standards, improving processes, and ensuring compliance across the production lifecycle. With a career fully rooted in Quality, I bring deep expertise in building systems that reduce risk, drive consistency, and support long-term growth. Known for a hands-on approach, sharp problem-solving, and a passion for doing things right the first time—every time.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Senior Quality Assurance Analyst
Amara Organic Foods
San Francisco, United States
06.2024 - 03.2025
- Joined during early growth phase and enhanced the existing Quality Management System (QMS) by formalizing artwork approvals, standardizing testing protocols, and strengthening documentation processes.
- Led company-wide food safety and regulatory compliance efforts, ensuring alignment with FDA and FSMA requirements for heavy metals, microbial testing, and allergen controls.
- Developed and implemented systems to track consumer complaints, product testing results, and supplier performance, increasing traceability and reducing response time.
- Played a key role in onboarding new co-manufacturers and co-packers, conducting risk assessments and aligning partners with Amara’s quality standards.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with Operations, Marketing, and Leadership to streamline product release, ensure packaging compliance, and address regulatory concerns proactively.
Senior Quality Assurance Specialist
L'Oreal
North Little Rock, AR
06.2021 - 04.2024
- Managed operator training and certification programs, reinforcing adherence to QA standards.
- Educated staff on quality control procedures, building a strong culture of compliance.
- Served as subject matter expert (SME) for in-line fill and pack testing to ensure product consistency.
- Developed and implemented procedures to maintain and improve product quality standards.
- Oversaw documentation and disposition of non-conforming products, partnering with production on root cause analysis.
- Reduced time to release affected product by 25% through streamlined corrective action workflows.
- Decreased incidents impacting product quality by 30% through training and process improvements.
- Cut investigation completion time by 50% with improved coordination and documentation practices.
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Gerber Food, Inc
Fort Smith, AR
01.2018 - 06.2021
- Led quality and training development for 8 technical operators, ensuring adherence to quality standards and continuous skill development.
- Drove rework process improvements, delivering $500K in annual savings through bulk rework program development and $250K via inline rework optimization.
- Collaborated with production planners to reduce changeover cleaning requirements, decreasing downtime by 20%.
- Collected and analyzed quality and activity data, identifying process improvements to increase productivity and reduce operational costs.
- Provided analytical, planning, and coordination support for cross-functional projects, interpreting data to inform strategic decisions.
- Delivered regular updates to leadership on quality metrics, proactively communicating product consistency issues and production deficiencies.
- Educated staff on specific quality standards and verified ongoing compliance through coaching and documentation.
Assistant Quality Assurance Manager
Rockline Industries Inc
Booneville, AR
03.2017 - 01.2018
- Managed a team of 1 Lab Supervisor and 6 Lab Technicians, overseeing daily quality operations and lab performance.
- Led a cross-functional CIP improvement team of 10, reducing clean-in-place (CIP) time by an average of 1.5 hours across 5 production lines.
- Monitored product quality standards and ensured adherence to quality control programs.
- Partnered with Operations to halt production when non-compliant product was identified, driving corrective actions to resume production within spec.
- Developed and implemented a customer complaint tracking system, streamlining investigation and response workflows
- Reported quality metrics to leadership, highlighting trends in product consistency and collaborating with production teams to address deficiencies.
Quality Supervisor
Butterball, LLC
Ozark, AR
04.2015 - 02.2017
- Supervised and developed quality team members, fostering skill growth and accountability
- Built strong, trust-based relationships with on-site USDA inspectors to support regulatory compliance.
- Documented quality findings and prepared reports to support management in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Conducted in-process sampling and testing to ensure consistent product quality throughout production.
- Maintained high standards by adhering strictly to approved procedures, materials, and calibrated test equipment.
- Developed presentations for proposed product line expansions, including new flavor concepts and feasibility analysis.
- Supported the successful launch of a second production shift, aligning quality controls and training staff.
- Advised cross-functional teams on enhanced quality control practices to improve product consistency and customer satisfaction.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology And Chemistry
University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Monticello, AR 08.2010 - 05.2014
Skills
FDA & FSMA Compliance
Quality Management Systems (QMS)
Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Actions (CAPA)
Internal Audits & Supplier Audits
Traceability & Recall Programs
Co-manufacturer & Co-packer Quality Oversight
Consumer Complaint Trending & Investigation
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved top product defect which led to reduction of factory findings by 60% and a 40% reduction in consumer complaints related to specific defect.
- Consistently met company standard times and individual productivity goals.
- Collaborated with team of 20 in the development of a 2nd shift operations in the factory.
- Collaborated with team of 15 in the development of a new product and production line.
- Lead a semi-finished and finished product waste reduction project that led to an annual savings of $500,000 for bulk waste and $250,000 for in process waste.
Certification
Better Process Control School - The University of Tennessee Food Science Department
Timeline
Senior Quality Assurance Analyst
Amara Organic Foods
06.2024 - 03.2025
Senior Quality Assurance Specialist
L'Oreal
06.2021 - 04.2024
Better Process Control School - The University of Tennessee Food Science Department
06-2018
PCQI - Nestle
06-2018
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Gerber Food, Inc
01.2018 - 06.2021
Assistant Quality Assurance Manager
Rockline Industries Inc
03.2017 - 01.2018
HACCP Butterball
06-2015
Quality Supervisor
Butterball, LLC
04.2015 - 02.2017
Bachelor of Science - Biology And Chemistry
University Of Arkansas At Monticello
08.2010 - 05.2014