Sarah Turrell
VP Food Safety & Quality
Simi Valley,CA
Summary
Highly experienced food safety professional with over 25 years in the food industry. Proven track record of implementing food safety policy across multiple sites and improving performance. Consistently delivers against role and business requirements often working to tight timescales and competing priorities. Excellent reputation for coaching and mentoring of team members across a number of departments. Recognized for performance excellence and contributions to business success. A highly motivated, flexible team player with a passion for food safety and people development.
Overview
4
4
years of post-secondary education
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
VP Food Safety & Quality
FreshRealm
Ventura, CA
01.2021 - Current
- Drove measurable change in the organization, systems and processes to support the rapid growth of the business
- Advised business on facility design for four new manufacturing facilities to ensure incorporation of the highest level of food safety
- Restructured department to leverage key skills and experience of team members
- Spearheaded introduction of weekly business and site KPI's to effectively review performance
- Guided business and implemented policies to transition from Ready to Cook into Ready to Eat product sectors.
- Headed and successfully managed multi-department rollout of third party supplier management system
Director Food Safety and Quality
Bakkavor USA
San Antonio, TX
02.2011 - 10.2020
- Developed and implemented effective food safety and risk mitigation strategies across multiple sites to drive continuous improvement
- Reduced departmental spend by rationalizing environmental monitoring program and negotiating more favorable testing fees.
- Key member of project team to design and set up new facilities in Canada and Texas ($100m investment)
- Forged strong relationships with customers and recognized as expert in field by retail partners and government officials
- Recruited, lead and inspired quality professionals to achieve personal development and career goals
- Process improvement - assessment of new equipment and technologies to improve efficiencies and deliver value to the business.
- Instrumental in delivering business improvements which turned weekly loses of $100k to weekly sales of over $1million
- Part of executive strategy team in USA to grow the business with key retail partners
Technical Manager
Bakkavor UK
Peterborough , United Kingdom
02.2007 - 01.2011
- Provided food safety support and expertise for 32 manufacturing sites on a consultative basis
- Development of core food safety and quality standards to achieve industry best practices
- Collaborated with large UK retailers to develop and implement global food safety standards for manufacturing facilities
- Implemented and managed assessment and development centers for the recruitment and mentoring of food safety professionals
- Part of business incident management team to support individual sites through internal crises
Experience Prior to 2007
Various Employers
Various Locations, United Kingdom
08.1992 - 02.2007
- Technical Manager (2 positions) - fresh produce and confectionery
- Quality Assurance Manager (2 positions) - personal care products and dairy industry
- Senior Microbiologist - veterinary pharmaceuticals
- Biomedical Microbiologist - diagnostic medical laboratories
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biological Science
University West of England
United Kingdom 01.1993 - 09.1995
Associate of Science - Biomedical Microbiology
Bromley Technical College
United Kingdom 09.1991 - 01.1993
Skills
Subject matter expert
Outstanding organizational skills
Dynamic and flexible
Results driven
Strategic mindset
Strong leader
Additional Information
Permanent resident status in USA
Timeline
VP Food Safety & Quality
FreshRealm
01.2021 - Current
Director Food Safety and Quality
Bakkavor USA
02.2011 - 10.2020
Technical Manager
Bakkavor UK
02.2007 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Biological Science
University West of England
01.1993 - 09.1995
Experience Prior to 2007
Various Employers
08.1992 - 02.2007
Associate of Science - Biomedical Microbiology
Bromley Technical College
09.1991 - 01.1993