Larry McElroy
QA, Safety, and Compliance Manager
Savannah,GA
Summary
EHS and Food Safety Manager with over 30 years of experience in the Environmental Health and Food Safety industry. Proven expertise in developing and implementing effective EHS and Food Safety Systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Demonstrated success in leading quality assurance teams, enhancing product reliability, and reducing defect rates through improved QA processes. Strong ability to manage project deadlines while fostering high team performance and productivity.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Manager
DSI Logistics
Brampton
01.2025 - Current
- Developed organization's first safety program initiating data collection and analysis utilizing risk analysis/identification techniques, and 6 Sigma processes.
- Supervised a team of 22 warehouse staff and reduced shipping errors by 25% through process improvements and detailed training.
- Streamlined picking and packing processes, which led to a 14% increase in orders fulfilled per hour.
- Managed and improved the inventory tracking system, reducing lost inventory incidents by 6% in 3 weeks, improving cycle count accuracy.
- Implemented cross-training programs that increased staff versatility and reduced labor costs by 8% over a 6-month span.
Quality Assurance Manager
Lineage Logistics
Savannah, SC
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Developed, implemented, and managed warehouse safety operations for region with several startup facility resulting in 'Superior' SQF/GDP food safety rating for a 3-year span.
- Coordinated with governing entities including USDA, FDA, DOT, etc., to better approach compliance related requirements.
- Formulated general safety policies and procedures to be followed by all regional facilities in compliance with local, State, and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), FDA, and DOT rules and regulations.
- Devised, managed, and coordinated training programs or media which increased proficiency in safe practices and promoted safety consciousness.
- Ensured proper reporting, investigation, and corrective action for MHE accidents, personal injury accidents, property damage, near-miss incidents, and customer incidents for region.
- Set EHS/ Food Safety annual goals (KPIs) for 3PL and manufacturing sites, analyzes performance and set strategies for year over year improvement.
- Performance appraisals, promotions, hiring and termination of QA/EHS staff. Conflict resolution and development of Safety Professionals.
- Directed the creation and execution of testing plans, conducted audits, and ensured adherence to quality standards.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and developments to continuously improve quality assurance processes and procedures.
- Knowledgeable in all CFRs that govern OSHA, EPA, FDA, etc.
- ISO 9001, ISO 22000, & IATF 16949 working knowledge.
- Revised and streamlined training program with a 6 Sigma focus. reducing TIR from 14.8% to 3% in less than a year.
Senior General Manager
Starbucks Corporation
Bluffton, SC
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Recruited, trained, and retained TMs and SMs who were the best in class.
- Set attainable district targets for an overall annual revenue increase of 68% over 3 years while solidifying the customer connection score of 98% at all assigned store levels.
- Managed operations for 7+ store locations, led a team of 10 Store Managers, oversaw P&L valued at $27 million maintaining a customer satisfaction score of 96%-99% for 4-year period.
- Identified and addressed safety opportunities by utilizing data & root cause analysis resulting in 5-year span with 0 safety incidents in entire district.
- Drove the implementation of company programs by developing action plans and directly motivating and instructing the store team to implement them to meet operational and organizational objectives.
- Planned, identified, communicated, and delegated appropriate responsibilities and practices to staff.
Senior Food Advisor/ Logistics Officer
U.S. Army
01.1993 - 01.2014
- Functioned as a Leader at all times by managing, mentoring, training, and evaluating teams to ensure compliance with all food and operational expectations.
- Mentored, trained, and developed brigade-level Soldiers of 500 or more for the accomplishment of missions.
- Developed, refined and implemented the US Army's Environmental Health & Safety Initiative resulting in 0 safety related incidents during 3 consecutive combat deployments.
- Developed and managed safety training program for 1 brigade encompassing 4 companies with an average of 300 soldiers per company.
- Conducted frequent Food Safety Audits ensuring the highest of quality for two federal feeding facilities.
- Managed a budget in excess of $1.3 million per year, improving proficiency and reducing waste by 16% annually over a 4-year period.
- Utilized Root Cause Analysis/CAPA to identify gaps in organizational proficiency leading to 100% success rate for logistical operations during theater operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management, Organizational Leadership
University of Maryland
Suitland, MD01.2024
Skills
- Excellent Communication and Negotiation Skills
- Customer Service
- Problem-solving and Decision-making Skills
- Team building and collaboration
- Leadership Skills
- Incident and accident investigation and reporting
- Organizational Skills
- Continuous process improvement focused on creating a safety-oriented culture
- OSHA standards, regulations, inspections, and compliance
- Microsoft Office proficient (Excel, Word, etc)
Certification
- Food Safety Manager Certification, 360training, 08/01/23, 08/01/26
- Food Handler Cards, 360training, 12/01/24, 12/01/27
- NSF-IFSEA HACCP Manager (HACCP), North Carolina State University, 11/01/21
- OSHA 30-Hour, Summit Training Source - A Member of the HSI Family of Brands, 01/01/23
- Serve Safe Certification
Timeline
Operations Manager
DSI Logistics
01.2025 - Current
Quality Assurance Manager
Lineage Logistics
01.2021 - 01.2025
Senior General Manager
Starbucks Corporation
01.2015 - 01.2019
Senior Food Advisor/ Logistics Officer
U.S. Army
01.1993 - 01.2014
Bachelor of Science - Business Management, Organizational Leadership
University of Maryland