KONGITE TESFAYE
Norwalk,USA
Summary
An experienced, driven, and accomplished Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Food Microbiology professional with extensive experience working for high-profile companies.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Corporate Microbiologist/QA Manager
FUJI FOOD PRODUCTS
01.2016 - 01.2025
- Established the Fuji Food’s first ISO 17025:2017 accredited microbiology laboratory—oversaw lab design, equipment procurement, and development of SOPs for pathogen and indicator organism testing, including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., E. coli, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria spp.
- Contributed to the creation and continuous improvement of HACCP and Prerequisite Programs to ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, and FSSC 22000 standards.
- Performed internal audits in accordance with FSSC 22000 standards, assessing HACCP plans, prerequisite programs (PRPs), traceability, recall procedures, supplier approval processes, and overall Food Safety Management System (FSMS) effectiveness.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary food safety teams to conduct thorough investigations, perform detailed root cause analysis and execute effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to ensure compliance and enhance product safety.
- Utilized Genesis software to generate accurate nutritional panels and ingredient labels for all Fujisan finished products, ensuring regulatory compliance.
Corporate Quality Manager
OVERHILL FARMS
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Managed Quality Control and Quality Assurance departments, including staff training, development, and performance management.
- Managed daily operations of the Microbiology and Chemistry Laboratories, overseeing comprehensive testing of plant samples for indicator organisms, pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli), and other microbiological and chemical parameters to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Directed the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality and food safety programs to ensure product integrity and regulatory compliance.
- Conducted comprehensive quality assessments of raw and cooked proteins, packaging materials, and other food components to ensure strict adherence to internal standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.
- Directed and executed internal audits to ensure strict compliance with company policies, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP protocols, identifying gaps and driving corrective actions to enhance food safety and quality systems.
- Spearheaded comprehensive investigations into customer complaints, performed in-depth root cause analyses, and implemented strategic corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), driving significant improvements in product process.
System QA Manager
CUSTOM FOOD/CTI FOODS, LLC
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Managed HACCP documentation and Food Safety Prerequisite Programs, ensuring rigorous regulatory compliance and maintaining program integrity.
- Collaborated with the QA Manager to direct departmental operations, spearheading continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring strict compliance with USDA regulations.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration between Quality Assurance, Sanitation, Operations, and Maintenance departments to promptly identify and resolve equipment-related issues impacting food safety and product quality.
- Developed, implemented, and maintained Finished Product and Environmental Monitoring Programs, including comprehensive reporting and trend analysis to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
- Collaborated with regulatory agencies and internal teams to resolve a USDA-mandated shutdown due to Listeria contamination, implementing corrective actions that successfully restored facility operations.
- Directed the Supplier Approval Program, ensuring comprehensive collection, rigorous evaluation, and meticulous maintenance of regulatory and technical documentation to validate supplier compliance with corporate governance and quality standards.
- Provided executive direction to the Microbiology and Chemistry Laboratories, ensuring comprehensive plant testing aligned with stringent regulatory requirements and exemplary quality assurance standards.
QA Microbiologist/Interim QA Manager
OVERHILL FARMS
01.2003 - 01.2009
- Executed comprehensive microbiology laboratory operations, including microbial testing of raw and finished products, data analysis, corrective action implementation, and management reporting.
- Strengthened HACCP compliance and sanitation protocols through targeted employee training, audits, and facility inspections.
- Developed and launched the plant’s inaugural Environmental Swabbing Program for Listeria and Salmonella, encompassing program design, key metric identification, and ongoing performance monitoring.
- Successfully implemented the facility’s first air and water monitoring program, significantly enhancing overall food safety measures.
- Led an independent project to evaluate and optimize the shelf life of finished products, providing actionable insights to improve product quality.
- Managed the HACCP Program, including regular review and verification of Critical Control Points (CCPs), oversight of product reshipment protocols, and daily coordination with USDA officials to maintain regulatory compliance and food safety standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ
Santa CruzSkills
- HACCP Development
- Supplier Monitoring
- GMP/GLP Trainer
- Internal & External Auditor
- Environmental Monitoring
- Regulatory Compliance
- Genesis/Reci-Pal System
- Allergen Management
- Shelf-life Study
Certification
- FSSC 22000 Accreditation, ISO 17025 Microbiology Laboratory and Proficiency Testing.
- HACCP Certified
- FSSC Internal Auditor Certified
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Extensive experience with FDA, USDA, and Seafood Regulations, QA/QC program management, and microbiology laboratory operations. Strong expertise in GMP, HACCP, and prerequisite programs.
- Established ISO-accredited food microbiology laboratory with capabilities for testing indicator organisms and key pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and E. coli O157:H7
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkGig WorkInternshipLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridTimeline
Corporate Microbiologist/QA Manager
FUJI FOOD PRODUCTS
01.2016 - 01.2025
Corporate Quality Manager
OVERHILL FARMS
01.2015 - 01.2016
System QA Manager
CUSTOM FOOD/CTI FOODS, LLC
01.2009 - 01.2015
QA Microbiologist/Interim QA Manager
OVERHILL FARMS
01.2003 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Science - Biology
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ