Richard Coker
Germantown,TN
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Quality Supervisor
Sonoco Products Co
Memphis, TN
08.2025 - Current
- Lead quality operations supporting multiple production departments while ensuring compliance with safety, FSSC, and quality standards.
- Reduced HFI exposure from approximately $1.8MM to approximately $200M through process improvements, defect reduction, and data analysis.
- Lead root cause investigations, CAPA activities, supplier quality initiatives, and customer complaint resolution.
- Partner with production, maintenance, engineering, and operations leaders to improve reliability and manufacturing performance.
- Develop and implement standardized work, quality systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Analyze production and quality data to identify trends and recommend operational improvements.
- Lead projects to improve raw material reliability through supplier collaboration.
Production Supervisor
Sonoco Products Co
Memphis, TN
07.2024 - 08.2025
- Directed daily manufacturing operations for the Ultra Seal department with responsibility for safety, quality, productivity, housekeeping, and employee performance.
- Supervised 25+ employees while coaching team leaders and driving accountability.
- Implemented training and process improvements that reduced downtime and improved operational efficiency.
- Worked closely with maintenance and quality teams to improve equipment performance and product quality.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, safety, and manufacturing excellence.
- Efficiently managed the R3 team to reduce safety risks in the Ultra Seal department
Area Operations Director
Reid's Fine Foods
Charlotte, NC
06.2022 - 05.2024
- Oversaw five locations with more than 120 employees and $10MM in sales.
- Maintained full P&L accountability across five locations, managing budgets, labor, inventory, purchasing, and operating expenses to achieve financial targets.
- Hiring and training of management level employees.
- Developed and implemented purchasing plan to save the company 30% on packaging costs.
- Maintained a 97% health and safety score at all locations.
Uptown General Manager
Reid's Fine Foods
Charlotte, NC
06.2021 - 06.2022
- Led the successful reopening of two downtown Charlotte locations following the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing operational planning, staffing, training, and execution.
- Recruited, hired, trained, and developed 25+ employees, building a high-performing team focused on operational excellence and customer service.
- Maintained full P&L accountability by managing labor, inventory, purchasing, waste, and operating expenses to achieve financial and operational goals.
Education
MBA - International Business
Queens University
Charlotte, NC08-2025
Bachelor of Science -
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Columbia, SC01-2019
Timeline
Quality Supervisor
Sonoco Products Co
08.2025 - Current
Production Supervisor
Sonoco Products Co
07.2024 - 08.2025
Area Operations Director
Reid's Fine Foods
06.2022 - 05.2024
Uptown General Manager
Reid's Fine Foods
06.2021 - 06.2022
Bachelor of Science -
University of South Carolina - Columbia
MBA - International Business
Queens University