Joan Dengrove
Farmingdale ,NJ
Summary
Dedicated quality assurance professional with a strong background in food safety management, compliance auditing, and team collaboration. Proven ability to lead quality initiatives and mentor teams to achieve operational excellence.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Server/Hostess Trainer
Local House
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
10.2025 - Current
- Assisted with menu knowledge and food recommendations to guests.
- Provided excellent customer service in a fast-paced dining environment.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining area throughout shifts.
- Processed orders accurately and efficiently using point-of-sale systems.
Patient Care Taker
Dr & Mrs Robert Dengrove
Farmingdale , NJ
08.2020 - Current
- Communicated effectively with patients and families regarding care needs.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to ensure coordinated patient care.
- Ensured a clean and safe environment in patient rooms and residences.
Owner/Operator
Yoko.jono
Asbury, New Jersey
01.2013 - Current
- Designed unique jewelry collections using CAD software and traditional techniques.
- Managed production schedules to ensure timely completion of design projects.
- Researched market trends to inform innovative jewelry concepts and styles.
- Mentored junior designers in design techniques and client engagement strategies.
- Oversaw quality control processes for finished jewelry pieces prior to delivery.
- Adjusted designs according to client specifications and feedback.
- Managed inventory of supplies, ensuring availability for production needs.
- Coordinated with customers to confirm satisfaction with final products.
Quality Manager
Central Garden and Pet
Walnut Creek, California
03.2010 - 12.2024
- Led quality assurance programs for product safety and compliance.
- Developed and implemented quality control procedures for manufacturing processes.
- Created and managed budgets for travel, training, and team-building activities.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Assigned work and monitored performance of project personnel.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Coordinated product recalls and managed the communication with regulatory authorities and customers.
- Represented the company in external audits, demonstrating the effectiveness of the quality management system.
- Led the selection and implementation of quality management software to streamline processes and enhance traceability.
Quality Assurance Manager
Stratas Foods LLC
Englewood, New Jersey
08.2020 - 12.2021
- Led quality assurance initiatives to ensure product safety and compliance.
- Developed and executed quality control procedures for food production processes.
- Trained staff on quality standards and inspection techniques to maintain consistency.
- Conducted regular audits to verify adherence to safety regulations and guidelines.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to swiftly resolve quality-related issues.
- Analyzed inspection data to identify trends and drive continuous improvement.
- Managed documentation of quality assurance activities for compliance purposes.
- Facilitated root cause analysis for defects, implementing corrective actions efficiently.
Quality Assurance Manager /Food Safety Manager
Tabatchnick
Somerset, New Jersey
01.2015 - 02.2019
- Established and executed quality assurance protocols, ensuring consistent product quality.
- Performed audits of manufacturing processes to verify adherence to industry standards.
- Utilized inspection data analysis to pinpoint trends and suggest areas for enhancement.
- Educated staff on quality control best practices and safety protocols.
- Facilitated cross-functional meetings to tackle quality issues and design effective solutions.
- Documented quality assurance processes thoroughly for compliance verification purposes.
- Assessed supplier quality reports to confirm alignment with company specifications.
- Oversaw onboarding of quality assurance personnel, managing interviews and selections.
- Collaborated with production teams to identify and resolve quality issues.
- Conducted regular audits of manufacturing processes for compliance with standards.
- Trained staff on best practices for quality control and safety procedures.
- Analyzed data from inspections to track trends and areas for improvement.
- Maintained documentation of quality assurance processes and results for review.
- Led cross-functional meetings to discuss quality concerns and solutions.
- Reviewed supplier quality reports to ensure materials met company specifications.
- Developed and implemented quality assurance policies and procedures.
- Conducted internal audits of processes, products, and systems to ensure compliance with quality standards.
- Compiled data on quality issues and vulnerabilities and reported findings with suggestions for improvement.
- Performed root cause analysis on non-conforming materials or products in order to determine appropriate corrective actions.
- Coordinated with other departments such as engineering, manufacturing, sales. in order to resolve any issues related to product quality.
- Created reports detailing results from inspections, tests, investigations that were used by senior management for decision-making purposes.
- Established key performance indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of the company's quality management system.
- Troubleshot product issues and fixed problems.
- Created, edited, and updated project manuals and technical documentation used by entire QA team.
- Monitored production activities for conformance to established quality requirements.
- Reviewed current standards and policies.
- Reviewed customer complaints and identified trends in order to develop corrective action plans.
- Documented all findings from investigations into non-conformances in order to track progress towards resolution.
- Trained personnel on the use of new technologies or techniques designed to improve product reliability or safety standards.
- Provided guidance on process improvements and best practices in order to maintain high levels of product quality.
- Inspected, removed and replaced malfunctioning equipment and tools to minimize workflow disruptions.
- Kept records of quality reports and statistical reviews.
- Established and accomplished goals for improvements in profits, quality and delivery.
- Managed supplier key performance indicators and checked materials for compliance with specifications.
- Participated in meetings with customers regarding product specifications or other quality-related topics.
Sensory/Flavor Scientist
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc
Somerset, New Jersey
12.2006 - 11.2009
- Conducted research on flavor compounds and fragrance formulations.
- Analyzed data using advanced analytical techniques and instruments.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative product solutions.
- Implemented quality control measures to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Mentored junior scientists in laboratory procedures and best practices.
- Presented findings at internal meetings to inform strategic decisions.
- Developed new methodologies for flavor and fragrance testing protocols.
- Prepared technical reports summarizing research outcomes for stakeholders.
- Prepared reports summarizing research results for presentation to colleagues and management.
- Maintained accurate records of experimental protocols and results in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Created and maintained spreadsheets and databases to detail specimen collection and data gathering.
Education
Master of Science - Biomedical Sciences
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA05-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ05-2003
Skills
- Food safety management
- Conflict resolution
- Team collaboration
- Data analysis
- Quality assurance procedures
- Quality control
- Compliance auditing
- Product testing
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Food science
- Food science fundamentals
- Food science understanding
- Biological sciences
- Behavioral science
- Physical science background
- Food safety regulations compliance
Affiliations
- MS Office/Windows Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access
Patent Searching Databases: Mintel, STN, Micropatent, Patent Café, and patent office
websites ARCs, & Compusense
In-house L’Oréal databases: Formula@Net, MP@net, Bridge, Ingredient Listing, & Orelia
Laboratory techniques:
Electrophoresis, equipment preparation, distillation, extraction, chromatography, crystallization, Isolation Techniques, validation, calibration, titration, solvent removal, spectroscopy (NMR), saponification, and quantitative analysis with FOSS, Aw and Moisture Devices.
Accomplishments
Esther Hymer Scholarship
Helen R. Laird Scholarship
George & Louise Brickman Scholarship
Amnesty International
Political Science Honors Club
Lambda Sigma Tau Honors Society
Phi Sigma Kappa National Honors Society, (inducted 1/02)
Employee Certification Training
Rutgers Leadership Development Program -
"The Challenge of Leadership"
Compusense Level I Workshop
Rutgers Agricultural Department - "Sensory Evaluation"
Certification
- PCQI Certified via Eurofins
- HACCP/HARP-C certified via AIB
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Server/Hostess Trainer
Local House
10.2025 - Current
Patient Care Taker
Dr & Mrs Robert Dengrove
08.2020 - Current
Quality Assurance Manager
Stratas Foods LLC
08.2020 - 12.2021
Quality Assurance Manager /Food Safety Manager
Tabatchnick
01.2015 - 02.2019
Owner/Operator
Yoko.jono
01.2013 - Current
Quality Manager
Central Garden and Pet
03.2010 - 12.2024
Sensory/Flavor Scientist
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc
12.2006 - 11.2009
Master of Science - Biomedical Sciences
Drexel University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Monmouth University