Louise Garay
Pembroke Pines,FL
Summary
Experienced Director of Quality Assurance with a proven track record of leading teams to ensure products meet rigorous standards. Skilled in conducting audits, identifying improvement areas, and implementing corrective actions. Strong expertise in quality management, process optimization, and regulatory compliance.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Valentini Italian Specialties
08.2021 - Current
- Responsible for Food and Warehouse Safety and overseeing the environmental monitoring program
- Develop and implement Quality & Food Safety programs and workplace safety programs to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal safety and health regulations
- Oversee food safety and warehouse training curriculum development and implantation
- Resolve consumer complaints, maintaining necessary and accurate documentation of records regarding the root cause analysis, corrective action, and preventative action taken to resolve the problem
- Conduct meetings with Senior leadership which include quality improvements, safety and provide feedback to management regarding complaints
- Perform plant audits and mock recalls to ensure compliance with all regulatory guidelines and company standards
- Prepare samples for analytical and microbiological testing
- Conduct Butterfat & Solid testing utilizing CEM Smart Trac System and Gerber method
- Uses observation and testing to identify faults in materials, equipment, and manufacturing process
- Adhere to all safety protocols to maintain safe handling of chemicals/materials
- Provide disposition on non-conforming product
- Maintain all control document files and reports
Quality Assurance Manager
Cusano's Italian Bakery/Premier Produce
11.2010 - 08.2021
- Maintained workplace safety compliance, regulatory compliance, technical training and development, policy development and enforcement, trend analysis, calibration services, production output KPIs and process improvement
- Developed and implemented quality assurance programs (HACCP, SSOP, SOP and GMP) and evaluated workplace safety programs to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal safety and health regulations
- Lead and/or participated in quality audits of the plant operations
- Responsible for the direct supervision, training and development of Quality Control Technicians
- Train current and new employees in Good Manufacturing Practices, food handling and critical control points
- Administered the plant HACCP, traceability and QA Hold Program
- Performed mock recalls and crisis drills to ensure compliance with all regulatory guidelines and company standards
- Recommended, as appropriate, the suspension, rework, or rejection of product when quality standards were not achieved
- Resolved consumer complaints, maintaining necessary and accurate documentation of records regarding the root cause analysis, corrective action, and preventative action taken to resolve the problem
- Participated in regular meetings with plant management to discuss quality improvements and provide feedback to production management regarding product complaints
- Work alongside R&D; developing nutritional labels, product specs
- Maintained all controlled document files and reports
Skills
- Safe Qualified Food (SQF) Practitioner
- Policy Development and Enforcement
- Performance Evaluation, Monitoring and Improvement
- KPI Tracking
- Verbal and written communication
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook
- Crisis Management
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Analytical and microbiological testing
Certifications
- FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
- Internal Auditor ISO 9001:2015
- Metal Detector Maintenance, Quality Control, and Operation Service Training
- OSHA 10-hour General Industry Safety and Health
Timeline
Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Valentini Italian Specialties
08.2021 - Current
Quality Assurance Manager
Cusano's Italian Bakery/Premier Produce
11.2010 - 08.2021
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