Lesley Farkas
Enterprise,AL
Summary
Customer-Focused Quality Assurance and Sanitation Professional with 25+ years experience in the Food Manufacturing Industry. Extensive experience in GFSI Audit Schemes both with Internal and External Manufacturing Partners. Key Areas of Direct and Contract Manufacturing Management and Support Including Retort; Low Acid Canned Food; Hot Fill & Hold; Cultured Dairy; Grade A Dairy; Baking; Milling; Acidified Foods; Frozen Foods and Low Moisture Dry Process (Chocolate & Peanut Butter). Direct Management and Support of Factory Level Microbiological Hygienic Restoration and FDA Recall Processes. Extensive Direct Engineering Support for Hygienic Design and Established Validated Hygiene Procedures for Both Wet and Dry Processes Including Bulk Handling Systems. Proven Pest Control and Mitigation Management Subject Matter Expert in Both Supply and Product9ion Environments.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Sanitarian
Campbell's Soup Company
11.2022 - 03.2024
- Supported Multiple Diverse Manufacturing Locations, Including, but Not Limited to, Bakery; Frozen Foods; Asceptic; LACF; and Retort Operations.
- Company Subject Matter Expert for Pest Control and Mitigation; Developed in Partnership with Industry Leaders; Key Suppliers; and Academic Experts a Best In Class Pest Control Management Program for the Food Industry.
- Partnered with Internal and External Partners to Execute Hygienic Design Standard Compliance for $160M Goldfish Line Addition to Utah Factory
- Participated in Professional Development Opportunities to Stay Current on Industry Trends and Best Practices Related to Hygienic Design Strategies; Pest Control and Mitigation; Chemical Application; Organic Systems Management; and Hygienic Transport of Food Commodities.
Corporate Supply Quality Manager
Campbell's Soup Company
01.2022 - 11.2022
- Managed Root Cause Analysis Investigations, Determining Underlying Issues in Product Failures and Implementing Corrective Actions in Partnership with Key Suppliers, Including Organic Commodities.
- Lead Mitigation of Specific Infesting Insect Risks for Organic Corn Crops in Partnership with Key Suppliers; Industry Pest Control Experts; and Leading Academic Resources.
- Conducted Routine Audits and Support for Several Categories of Suppliers Including, but Not Limited to Corn, Wheat, Peanuts and Nut Commodities.
Quality Assurance Manager
8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Post Holdings
04.2020 - 09.2021
- Management and Successful Growth of Skilled Quality Staff from Single Line Production to Multiple Line Factory Through Pandemic
- Delivered Compliance to International, Federal, State, and Local Regulatory Requirements and Multiple Specific Customer Requirements for High Volume High Risk Category.
- Successful Quality and Sanitation Management of New Line Installation and Facility Footprint Growth.
- Improved Compliance to Customer, Kosher, Halal, Organic, Gluten Free and GFSI Audit Requirements.
North American Senior Quality Analyst
Kraft-Heinz
11.2018 - 04.2020
- Execution of New Product Development, Quality Improvement, Cost Engineering and Assigned Projects Achieving 100% Compliance to Kraft Heinz Commercialization Process Across Multiple External Partners (Co-Manufacturing) Sites Including, but Not Limited to Dry Process Bakery; Nut Production; Desserts (Aseptic and Refrigerated); Cultured Dairy Products; and Shelf Stable Meals (LACF)
- Consistent Delivery of 100% Compliance of Projects with External Partners to Kraft Heinz Quality and Food Safety Platinum Rules.
- Alignment with Multifunctional Internal Partners to Execute Projects to Meet Business Time and Quality Commitments.
North American Senior Quality Analyst
Kraft Heinz
07.2016 - 11.2018
- Maintained Quality and Food Safety Compliance to Kraft Heinz Standards Across Multiple Product Categories and Preservation Methodologies for 26 External Manufacturing Partners, Including, but Not Limited to, Retort; LACF; Hot Fill & Hold; and Cultured Dairy Products.
- Executed New Product Development, Quality Improvement, Cost Engineering, and New External Manufacturing Site Approvals with 100% Compliance to Kraft Heinz Quality and Commercialization Processes; Kraft Heinz Platinum Rules; and Provided Ongoing Guidance in Compliance with Kraft Heinz Quality Risk Management Process.
Food Safety and Compliance Manager
Kraft Heinz
01.2015 - 07.2016
- Delivered Compliance to All International, Federal, State, and Local Regulatory Requirements in Multi-Operational Factory - Including LACF; Grade A Dairy; Cultured Dairy; Natural Cheese Conversion; and Dry Processing.
- Management of Site Food Safety Programs and Document Control Programs.
- Management of Plant QCMS; ISO; Kosher; Halal, Organic & FSSC Compliance Systems.
- Management of Plant Quality Policy Compliance and Annual Review; Internal Auditing; Third Party and Regulatory Auditing; and CAPA Program.
Plant Services Manager (Food Safety & Sanitation)
Campbell's Soup Company
08.2010 - 01.2015
- Managed Team of Skilled Sanitation Personnel Achieving 100% Engagement in Continuous Improvement Initiatives.
- Leadership of Factory GFSI Assessment Compliance with Improved Scoring Year on Year.
- Championed Company Yeast and Mold Complaint Reduction Team, Achieving Double Digit Reductions in Fresh Baked Consumer Response.
- Network Subject Matter Expert for Pest Control and Mitigation.
- Executed and Maintained Budget for Sanitation Personnel and Materials Management.
Quality Systems Engineer, Factory Hygienist
Nestle USA, Dryer's Ice Cream
08.2009 - 04.2010
Quality Assurance & Food Safety Leader III
General Mills
07.2007 - 08.2008
Sanitation Supervisor & Food Safety Leader
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
11.2004 - 07.2007
Senior Supply Chain Associate (Management Trainee)
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
11.2003 - 11.2004
Quality Assurance, Safety & Sanitation Leader
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
04.2003 - 11.2003
Operations Shift Leader
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
11.1999 - 04.2003
Operations Technician
Quaker Oats
08.1995 - 11.1999
Education
Graduate Certificate - International Food Law
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI07.2025
Master of Science - Food Sciences And Technology
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS05.2002
Bachelor of Science - Food Sciences And Technology
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS08.1999
Skills
FSSC Practioner, Lead Auditor
SQF Practioner, Lead Auditor
BRC Practioner, Lead Auditor
American Society of Quality, Certified Lead Auditor
Process Control Qualified Individual, Preventive Controls for Human Food
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certified
Better Process Control School
Better Process Cheese School
Foreign Supplier Verification Program Certificate
Food Defense Coordinator
Associate Certified Entomologist
Hygienic Equipment Design Standards: Z502; EHedge: AMI; 3A
Timeline
Corporate Sanitarian
Campbell's Soup Company
11.2022 - 03.2024
Corporate Supply Quality Manager
Campbell's Soup Company
01.2022 - 11.2022
Quality Assurance Manager
8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Post Holdings
04.2020 - 09.2021
North American Senior Quality Analyst
Kraft-Heinz
11.2018 - 04.2020
North American Senior Quality Analyst
Kraft Heinz
07.2016 - 11.2018
Food Safety and Compliance Manager
Kraft Heinz
01.2015 - 07.2016
Plant Services Manager (Food Safety & Sanitation)
Campbell's Soup Company
08.2010 - 01.2015
Quality Systems Engineer, Factory Hygienist
Nestle USA, Dryer's Ice Cream
08.2009 - 04.2010
Quality Assurance & Food Safety Leader III
General Mills
07.2007 - 08.2008
Sanitation Supervisor & Food Safety Leader
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
11.2004 - 07.2007
Senior Supply Chain Associate (Management Trainee)
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
11.2003 - 11.2004
Quality Assurance, Safety & Sanitation Leader
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
04.2003 - 11.2003
Operations Shift Leader
PepsiCo North America, Quaker Oats
11.1999 - 04.2003
Operations Technician
Quaker Oats
08.1995 - 11.1999
Graduate Certificate - International Food Law
Michigan State University
Master of Science - Food Sciences And Technology
Kansas State University
Bachelor of Science - Food Sciences And Technology
Kansas State University
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