Sara Gundermann
Saco,ME
Summary
MS in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Maine, enhanced by experience in product development, quality assurance, and food service operations. Detail-oriented leader and team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of proficiency.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Food Scientist / Project Coordinator
Scott & Jon's
08.2023 - Current
- Developed and implemented system to assign deliverables, keep team members accountable, and increase constructive team communication
- Reformulated several products to increase customer interest, optimize COGS, and increase margins
- Saved company ~$100,000 in finished goods that would have been discarded, by providing co-packers an analysis that sparked an increase in shelf life
- Worked directly with co-packers to ensure bench top level quality production of every product
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant
University Of Maine
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Mentored approximately 100 students through office hours and one-on-one communication
- Prepared all materials (media, isolates, etc.) for high-level food microbiology lab several times per week
- Checked assignments, proctored tests, and provided grades according to university standards
- Conducted development of sous vide mussel product by the stages of (recipe development, scale-up, shelf life study, and consumer acceptability panel)
Seafood Lab Student Research Assistant
University Of Maine
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Evaluated gelling ability of green crab muscle as part of development of green crab surimi product
- Assisted with three graduate research products by doing chemical analyses and preparing samples
- Developed procedure for fish sauce pasteurization
Maine Learning Assitant
University Of Maine
08.2020 - 01.2022
- Assisted students with general chemistry
- Learned various teaching methods
Quality Control Intern
Ducktrap River Of Maine
05.2021 - 08.2021
- Performed daily tasks, including: internal audits, temperature recordings, GMP walkthroughs, water phase salt testing, etc.
- Reviewed and edited safety documents
- Conducted research on company competitors and popular preservatives
- Helped in formulating new products and reformulating others due to supply chain issues
Student Research Assistant II
University Of Maine
01.2021 - 04.2021
- Researched potato varieties
- Extracted food samples
- Analyzed collected data
Pastry Cook
Hershey's Chocolate World
01.2016 - 09.2020
- Produced pastries, chocolates, and desserts daily
- Comminuted clearly with guests and assisted them with questions
- Operated the cash register and handled money when support was needed
Maine Zero Food Waste Project Intern
Mitchell Center For Sustainability Solutions
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Established relationships with local businesses
- Developed computer skills
- Wrote proposals and legal documents pertaining to food waste
Student Research Assitant I
University Of Maine
01.2019 - 03.2020
- Conducted physical testing of seaweed
- Communicated data through reports and oral presentations
Education
Master of Science - Food Science And Human Nutrition
University of Maine
Orono, ME08.2023
Bachelor of Science - Food Science And Human Nutrition
University of Maine
Orono, ME05.2022
Skills
- Product Development
- Time Management
- Teamwork
- Project Management
- Organization
- Laboratory Procedures
- Leadership
- Teaching
- Quality Assurance
- Data Analysis
- Scientific Research
- Public Speaking
- Microsoft Office
Certification
- FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food (Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance)
- Seafood HACCP (Association of Food and Drug Officials)
Timeline
Food Scientist / Project Coordinator
Scott & Jon's
08.2023 - Current
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant
University Of Maine
08.2022 - 05.2023
Seafood Lab Student Research Assistant
University Of Maine
08.2021 - 08.2022
Quality Control Intern
Ducktrap River Of Maine
05.2021 - 08.2021
Student Research Assistant II
University Of Maine
01.2021 - 04.2021
Maine Learning Assitant
University Of Maine
08.2020 - 01.2022
Maine Zero Food Waste Project Intern
Mitchell Center For Sustainability Solutions
05.2020 - 08.2020
Student Research Assitant I
University Of Maine
01.2019 - 03.2020
Pastry Cook
Hershey's Chocolate World
01.2016 - 09.2020
Master of Science - Food Science And Human Nutrition
University of Maine
Bachelor of Science - Food Science And Human Nutrition
University of Maine
- FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food (Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance)
- Seafood HACCP (Association of Food and Drug Officials)
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