George Swartz
San Diego
Summary
Educated at the University of KwaZulu Natal and the University of South Africa. Have extensive experience in food, packaging and biotechnology manufacturing facilities and over 14 years’ experience at a Supervisory / Management level. Also have extensive troubleshooting, auditing, quality system implementation and laboratory experience.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr Compliance Associate II
Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services
07.2022 - 12.2023
- Manages customer audit program, including scheduling audits, hosting audits, communicating and coordinating with internal subject experts, responding to audit findings, and tracking completion of corrective actions
- Manages internal audit program, including generating an audit schedule, conducting audits, writing audit reports, and evaluating responses to audit observations
- Manages vendor quality program, including scheduling audits, conducting on-site and paper audits, writing audits resorts, reviewing audit responses, maintaining an approved vendor list, tracking vendor quality issues, evaluating vendor change notifications, and establishing quality agreements
- Leads risk assessments and continuous improvement projects
- Reviews and approves quality management system standard operating procedure (SOPs)
- Reviews and approves deviation reports and CAPAs related to vendor issues or quality systems
- Lead audit and compliance strategy implementation efforts, including inspection readiness, coordination of audits and inspections, CAPA resolution, and timely response to audit activities
- Provides input supporting revisions to policies and procedures and completing gap assessments against established standards
- Generates quality system metrics for management review meetings
- Collaborates with site departments on quality awareness and training
- Trains team members on conducting internal and external audits and interacting with client auditors
- Responsible for exhibiting professional behaviour with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company’s policies and practices
- Conducting and leading cross functional team meetings to determine investigation requirements to be assigned based on event
- Applies analytical skills and product knowledge to evaluate complex situations using multiple sources of information
- Ensure that Ajinomoto production processes such as formulation, filtration, fill finish, packaging etc are in compliance with local and international regulatory bodies
- Ensuring that all manufacturing processes and products are to adhere to regulatory standards such as 21 CFR Part 210 and 211
Managing Member
IGS Consulting
10.2020 - 05.2022
- ISO9001, ISO22000, FSSC22000 and ISO17025 implementation and management
- Documentation reviewing
- Auditing
- Technical problem solving at Coca Cola
- SOP reviewing
- Continuous improvement implementation
- Management of supplier and service provider compliance
- Lab testing improvements and standardization
- Coordination of various sub-projects and their interdependencies, and any risks, or other issues
- Training and resource management
- Execute the projects objectives and oversee quality control throughout its life cycle
Quality Manager
Heartland Foods
06.2019 - 04.2020
- Supplier evaluation and onsite auditing as per food safety standards and regulations
- Food safety champion responsible for food Safety training of staff together with updating all on new legislation
- Raw material FIFO management
- Collaborate with different departments to optimize and improve existing production processes
- Electronic document control and management
- Reviewing and maintenance of quality control operations data
- Execution of product recalls
- Pest control management
- Equipment calibration management
- Lead HACCP studies
- Develop inspection and sampling protocols for raw materials in-process and finished goods based on internal specifications as well as customer requirements
- Investigate all nonconformances’ to determine the root cause and determine appropriate corrective actions to eliminate the recurrence of the identified nonconformance
- Establish the annual Internal Audit Log and Schedule
- Develop the training and qualification course for all internal auditors
- Identify and train all internal auditors
- Conduct annual mock product retrieval
- Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures for all laboratory operations and product quality functions
- Lead the development of a quality vision and culture
Managing Member
IGS Consulting
04.2018 - 05.2019
- ISO9001, ISO22000, FSSC22000 and ISO17025 implementation and management
- Documentation reviewing
- Auditing
- Technical problem solving at Coca Cola
- SOP reviewing
- Corrective and preventative analysis
- Continuous improvement implementation
- Management of supplier and service provider compliance
- Lab testing improvements and standardization
- Project planning, project implementation, project monitoring and evaluation and project delivery
SHEQ Manager
Swartland Investments
05.2017 - 03.2018
- Manage, maintain and improve the Group Integrated Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety Management System - ISO9001:2015, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 and external audited standards
- Lead the drive for continual improvement of these standards throughout the Atlantis factory
- Determines the operational direction and work priorities (in conjunction with line management) for the continuous improvement of the Factory SHEQ management programme and systems
- Advises line management and assists with the implementation of new or existing SHEQ-related legislation, rules and Company standards
- To complete prevention inspections and internal audits of the IMS systems on a regular basis and ensure records maintained of same
- To assist in retaining all current quality accreditations and work towards the attainment of quality accreditations
- Provides support and expertise to line management in incident investigation and reporting (including dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases)
- Facilitates all forms of risk assessment e.g
- General, manual handling, fire prevention and acts as a final authority where a specialist response is required in relation to risk assessments performed by others
- Conducts occupational health and safety related surveys e.g
- Noise, lighting, exposure to chemical substances and makes associated recommendations
- Investigate all nonconformances’ to determine the root cause and determine appropriate corrective actions to eliminate the recurrence of the identified nonconformance
- Establish the annual Internal Audit Log and Schedule
- Develop the training and qualification course for all internal auditors
- Identify and train all internal auditors
- Conduct annual mock product retrieval
- Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures for all laboratory operations and product quality functions
- Drive the annual review of all Quality Management System documentation
- Development and coaching of staff
- Lead the development of a quality vision and culture
- Execute project objectives and oversee quality control throughout its life cycle
Independent Consultant
IGS Consulting
09.2016 - 04.2017
- ISO9001, ISO22000, FSSC22000 and ISO17025 implementation and management
- Documentation reviewing
- Auditing
- Technical problem solving at customer premises such as Coca Cola, Heinz, GlaxoSmithKline, Aspen, Simba, Tiger Brands, SASOL etc
- SOP reviewing
- Continuous improvement implementation
- Management of supplier and service provider compliance
- Lab testing improvements and standardization
Quality Consultant
CTP Flexibles
05.2015 - 08.2016
- Document and communicate customer specifications, maintain database and specification folders
- Take the lead in determining the tests and evaluation necessary to assure the satisfactory quality of incoming materials and perform those tests
- Independently perform in-process inspection, measurement and testing of finished product and raw material at all process stations of our flexible packaging film line
- Take the lead in the problem analysis and corrective action necessary to address any customer complaints or rejections
- Participate in meetings, investigations, problem solving discussions, salvage review, and special project teams on an as-needed basis
- Work on projects, coordinate activities and carry out other job duties as assigned and/or directed by the Operations Director
- Management of supplier and service provider compliance
Independent Consultant
IGS Consulting
02.2015 - 05.2015
- ISO9001, ISO22000, FSSC22000 and ISO17025 implementation and management
- Documentation reviewing
- Auditing
- Technical problem solving at customer premises such as Coca Cola, Heinz, GlaxoSmithKline, Aspen, Simba, Tiger Brands, SASOL etc
- SOP reviewing
- Corrective and preventative analysis
- Continuous improvement implementation
- Management of supplier and service provider compliance
- Lab testing improvements and standardization
- Work processes mapping
- Input and output management of projects
- Management of highly-skilled professional multifaceted environments
- Coordination of various sub-projects and their interdependencies, and any risks, or other issues
- Project planning, project implementation, project monitoring and evaluation and project delivery
- Training and resource management
- Communication management with stakeholders and affected parties
Quality Consultant (Technical and Food Safety Manager)
SRF Flexipak
08.2014 - 01.2015
- Successful implementation of FSSC22000 after which SRF received certification
- Document and communicate customer specifications, maintain database and specification folders
- Take the lead in determining the tests and evaluation necessary to assure the satisfactory quality of incoming materials and perform those tests
- Independently perform in-process inspection, measurement and testing of finished product and raw material at all process stations of our BOPP packaging film line
- Take the lead in the problem analysis and corrective action necessary to address any customer complaints or rejections
- Participate in meetings, investigations, problem solving discussions, salvage review, and special project teams on an as-needed basis
- Assist in troubleshooting of issues / non-conformances and-through to satisfactory conclusion
- Management of supplier and service provider compliance
- Lab testing improvements and standardization
- Management of highly-skilled professional multifaceted environments
QA / Lab Manager
CTP Flexibles
05.2012 - 05.2014
- Company Overview: (Cape Town)
- Responsible for the overall functioning of the Laboratory
- The proper training of all laboratory personnel on inspection and testing criteria
- Effectively managing the inspection and testing that takes place in Production and Quality Assurance
- The proper use and maintenance of all testing equipment
- Deriving new methods for inspection and testing
- Troubleshooting problems with regards to defects, generated by the factory occur
- Finding resolution to the problems described above
- Implementing control measures for the early detection and correction of chronic problems
- Analyzing data collected from the tests to ensure that we are operating within process parameters
- Ensuring that the Laboratory Analysts signs off the startups of all print runs in accordance with approved customer specifications i.e
- Die line and colour standards
- Ensuring that all trials are documented and produced in the most efficient manner
- Generating trial approval documents for all trials that leave CTP Flexibles
- Providing technical support to the respective departments, including customer queries
- Writing technical reports to customers as part of their corrective action procedure and ensuring that the corrective and preventative measures are implemented at CTP Flexibles
- Monitoring trials going through the plant
- Assisting with trials at Customer premises when necessary
- Keeping trial log updated
- Liaising with Account Managers regarding trials & development
- Resolving technical problems at customers such as Coca Cola, Tiger Brands Foods, Pioneer Foods, Heinz Foods Sauces, Pepsico, GlaxoSmithKline etc
- (Cape Town)
Education
Matric / Grade 12 -
Wentworth Senior Secondary School
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Zoology, Psychology, Physics, Physiology
University of KwaZulu Natal
Total Quality Management Programme - The Human Components of and Tools and Techniques for Total Quality Management (TQM), Quality Systems and Total Quality Management (TQM) Implementation
University of South Africa
Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to deep dive/ analyze data
- Excellent analytical and problem – solving skills
- Excellent planning and organizational skills
- Quality system implementation
- Ability to step back & look at the bigger picture
- Professional approach to working with colleagues at all levels
- Self-motivated and detail oriented
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Personal Information
- Available: Immediate
- Expected Salary: Competitive/ market related
- Gender: Male
Notableachievement
FSSC 22OOO implementation at CTP Flexibles and SRF Flexibles after which both companies received certification. FDA approval at CTP Flexibles and Ajinomoto Bio - Pharma Services. Successful troubleshooting throughout Coca Cola South Africa, Coca Cola Namibia, Heinz Foods (Sauces Division), GlaxoSmithKline, Tiger Brands Foods, Pioneer Foods, Kingsley Beverages, Pepsico etc.
Timeline
Sr Compliance Associate II
Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services
07.2022 - 12.2023
Managing Member
IGS Consulting
10.2020 - 05.2022
Quality Manager
Heartland Foods
06.2019 - 04.2020
Managing Member
IGS Consulting
04.2018 - 05.2019
SHEQ Manager
Swartland Investments
05.2017 - 03.2018
Independent Consultant
IGS Consulting
09.2016 - 04.2017
Quality Consultant
CTP Flexibles
05.2015 - 08.2016
Independent Consultant
IGS Consulting
02.2015 - 05.2015
Quality Consultant (Technical and Food Safety Manager)
SRF Flexipak
08.2014 - 01.2015
QA / Lab Manager
CTP Flexibles
05.2012 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Zoology, Psychology, Physics, Physiology
University of KwaZulu Natal
Matric / Grade 12 -
Wentworth Senior Secondary School
Total Quality Management Programme - The Human Components of and Tools and Techniques for Total Quality Management (TQM), Quality Systems and Total Quality Management (TQM) Implementation
University of South Africa
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