Zainab Akanji
Euless,TX
Summary
An hardworking, reliable, energetic, flexible, success driven, goal achiever, team leader, food scientist and food safety and quality assurance assistant manager and SQF practitioner with wealth of experience in BRCGS audit, FDA, USDA, food safety and quality assurance management system, with a Master of Science in Food Safety- Major in Management from University of Birmingham, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Intermediate Certificate, ServSafe Food Safety Manager, Instructor/Proctors Certificate, FDA Food Defence Certificate, PCQI (Preventive Control Qualified Individual) Certificate, Sea Food HACCP completion course and a NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) member, as well as extensive knowledge and experience in researching and developing, implementing and training food safety, hygiene and management, carrying out inspection and audit, writing report and documentation, developing HACCP(Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) plan for food industries also with an robust experience in working in the food manufacturing industries. Able to liaise with people on all levels including other team members, internal and external auditor and management. Now looking for a challenging role with a reputable organization to develop existing skills. Results-oriented and decisive leader in the manufacturing industry, who is focused on achieving success and increased productivity through improvements in operations, quality, safety and administration.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FSQA Assistant Manager
Standard Meat Company
Duncanville, TX
02.2018 - Current
- Improve product quality by conducting thorough inspections and identifying defects in early stages of production.
- Assist in the development of new testing procedures for enhanced product performance and reliability.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify areas for process improvement and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain accurate records of inspection results, ensuring traceability and compliance with internal and external standards.
- Reduce customer complaints by consistently verifying product adherence to establish specifications before shipment.
- Train new QA assistants on company processes, policies, and inspection techniques, enhancing overall team efficiency.
- Monitor manufacturing processes for deviations from standard operating procedures, reporting discrepancies to management for timely resolution.
- Establish and manage trial projects to deploy updated processes.
- Generate submit and present reports to enhance Area of expertise quality standards.
- Schedule preventive and predictive maintenance actions based on failure analysis.
- Evaluate employee performance and equipment organization to assess and improve plant operations.
- Map process workflows to enhance understanding of procedures.
- Managed quality assurance initiatives.
- Develop and enhance personnel work instructions to clear up confusion and boost performance.
- Participate in regular audits of suppliers, ensuring their adherence to strict quality requirements and maintaining a high level of confidence in our supply chain partners.
- Handle customer inquiries regarding product quality issues, providing prompt resolutions and ensuring lasting satisfaction with our products.
- Aid in the creation of comprehensive training materials for department members on best practices in quality assurance, fostering a culture of excellence within the team.
- Evaluate existing inspection methods against industry standards to ensure optimal effectiveness in identifying non-conformances quickly and accurately.
- Promote workplace safety by adhering strictly to all guidelines during routine inspections within a manufacturing facility setting.
- Review and update standard operating procedures for quality assurance tasks regularly to ensure alignment with current industry best practices.
- Assist in the development of product risk assessments, providing valuable input on potential hazards and their mitigation.
- Assist with independent internal and external audits.
- Help with customer complaint investigations to improve quality and processes.
- Release finished products after reviewing samples results.
- Assess quality of finished products with careful inspections.
- Evaluate returned products for safety, functionality and other issues.
- Support audit preparation through research, analysis and presentation development.
- Develop corrective action plans to improve overall quality of Product or Service.
- Communicate quality issues with Product or Service promptly.
- Perform root cause analysis on recurring defects discover during inspections, helping identify patterns that could be addressed proactively at the source.
- Work closely with production teams to address non-conformances, ensuring timely corrective actions were taken to prevent further occurrences.
- Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying up-to-date on changes within the field of quality assurance to better serve company objectives.
- Maintain neat, tidy work environment in the facility.
- Making sure that products are produce on time and are of good quality.
- Generate quality control reports for returned products to identify and communicate patterns.
- Inspect finished products for quality and adherence to customer specifications.
- Inspect products and machines to maintain quality and efficiency.
- Examine incoming materials and compare to documentation for accuracy and quality.
- Collaborate with managers to write procedures for departments.
- Report on findings and made proactive and targeted recommendation to senior leaders.
- Prepare reports and technical documentation of day-to-day production processes.
- Calibrate machines to maintain required productivity levels and adherence to quality standards.
- Perform general equipment maintenance and repair to minimize downtime.
- Maintain records for compliance and analysis purposes.
Food Safety Quality Assurance Senior Supervisor
MOWI USA- Fish Processing
Arlington, TX
01.2016 - 02.2018
- Responsible for ensuring all supervisors responsibilities are carried out.
- Supervised onboarding and training of new personnel to maximize capacities of quality assurance team.
- Ensuring that QA team also those at supervisory level reach their optimize level in terms of skill development and training
- Ensuring that employees adhere to Food Safety Management System.
- Responsible for verification of all HACCP Logs and PRP Logs.
- Ensuring that all CCP are adhere to.
- Responsible interpreting all tests results and writing report on it.
- Responsible for Daily Tour of Duty (Internal Audit), and sending out reports to all managements.
- Ensuring external audits are done at the required time frame. Laise with external auditor at the time of visits.
- Ensuring the cleanliness of all the facilities.
- Implementing systems that promotes food safety and quality.
- Monitoring of QA procedures for adherence by employees, notifying personnel of non-compliance issues.
- Collaborate with management to discuss effective plans for resolving major quality problems.
- Analyzed quality assurance data to identify trends and develop and implement corrective action plans.
- Prepared reports to communicate results of quality inspection activities to management.
- Determined training needs of staff and organized training interventions to achieve quality standards.
- Contribute to business growth by confirming customer satisfaction with service and quality.
- Use quality monitoring data management systems to compile and track performance at team and individual levels.
- Consult with management and personnel to educate on QA standards.
- Ensuring verification of all equipments are carried out in timely manner.
- Coordinate and support on-suite audits conducted by external providers.
- Enhance customer satisfaction ratings by building client rapport and timely resolving crises and issues.
- Reorganize and revise standard operating procedures to streamline processes and improve communication and collaboration.
- Fostered culture of analytical thinking and precision to diagnose quality issues.
- Ensure all corrective actions and done in timely manner .
- Liase with food manager, warehouse manager and maintenance manager
- Review current standards and policies.
- Establish procedures and quality standards.
- Troubleshot product issues and fix problems.
- Help with continuous improvement
Quality Assurance Supervisor
COSMAXNBT
Garland, TX
10.2012 - 02.2016
- Responsible for implementing, maintaining and continuously improving Quality Management Systems for suppliers, products, services and internal processes
- Supervise production schedules, production quality and on time delivery.
- Develop, maintain strong, clear communication and rapport with plant personnel.
- Audit internal work plans per Quality, GMP, Safety, and HACCP while offering recommendations for improvements.
- Create, collect, maintains and documents product and process specifications.
- Support Change and Document Control System Management.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (internal and external) to maintain and improve the Quality Management System.
- Verify food safety requirements are documented and complaint for raw materials, packaging, finished goods and kitted products.
- Identify and help resolve non-conforming product issues.
- Deliver quality training for plant employees.
- Lead plant calibrations for food product quality and safety equipment.
- Mock recalls of ingredients, packaging and finished goods.
- Provide data-driven support to identify areas of improvement
- Design and implement solutions
- Participate appropriately in supplier quality activities such as QBR (Quality Business Review), on-site audits, CAPAs (Corrective Action Preventive Action), Deviations, Change Orders, and other programs that drive improvements on the Quality Management System
- Lead effort to reduce defects for supplier processes with a focus on training, defect prevention and continuous improvements through the application and utilization of lean six sigma and other continuous improvement tools
- Prepare, maintain, monitor and present quality reports as required
- Other duties as assigned
FSQA Supervisor
LSG Sky Chefs
Dallas, TX
03.2008 - 10.2012
- Establish procedures and quality standards.
- Review current standards and policies.
- Kept records of quality reports and statistical reviews.
- Assess kitchen, dining areas and overall facility for compliance with laws and codes.
- Review food preparation to check conditions and procedures to determine safety for consumption.
- Organize schedules, workflows and shift coverage to meet expected business demands.
- Delegate daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity.
- Recruit and train new employees to meet job requirements.
- Provide leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Help with establishing corrective actions and preventive actions.
- Hold regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist
Terrasoul Superfoods
Forth, TX
02.2006 - 02.2008
- Responsible for ensuring food safety and quality is maintained at the highest level of quality and integrity and in full compliance with regulatory agency standards and/or federal and state mandates
- Responsible for gathering data to perform statistical analysis and trending to identify areas of opportunity in processing and quality functions
- Handling food safety and quality assurance requests and providing overall support to the Food Safety and Quality Department
- Reviewing all supplier’s document and ensuring supplier’s approval program is done appropriately
- Effectively work and liaise with the production team members.
- Monitors quarantine process and communicates disposition
- Assist with development, implementation and review of Food Safety and Quality policies, procedures and documentation
- Maintain Food Safety and Quality documents, records and filing.
- Assist with weekly and monthly inspection.
- Responsible for pulling sample for annual validation, environmental monitoring and verification and proficiency testing.
- Maintain retention sample program, for both incoming raw materials and blended finished products.
- Manage communication between third party accredited labs for sample testing.
- Manage the upkeep of certificate level documentation with our Non-GMO, Organic and Kosher certifying partners
- Assists with customer complaint investigations and supplier communication as needed for material disposition
- Update product specification sheets with relevant certification.
- Conduct routine checks to verify proper record keeping.
- Conduct follow-up with Managers to ensure corrective actions to deviations are being completed in a timely manner
- Assist with traceability and mock recall exercise
- Assist with COA creation for customers
- Playactive role on Food Safety Team/HACCP team
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Education
Master of Science - Food Safety And Management
University of Birmingham
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal skill
- Experienced in Quality personnel scheduling
- Dedication to product quality
- Knowledgeable of quality control standards
- Implementation and Compliance with GMPs
- Natural leader
- Team builder
- Excellent team player
- Keen observational skill
- Excellent communication skill both written and verbal
- Planning and coordination
- Ability to pay attention to details
- Confident user of word, excel and internet research
- Self-motivated
- Result driven and goal-getter
- Proficient in mathematics and statistics
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Success driven
People's Management
- Training of Quality team members on Safety, GMP's, HACCP, SOP's
- Complex Problem Solving
Core Accomplishments
- Personally managed quality activities to guarantee orders were shipped on -time
- Calibrated and validated broad range of machines
- Initiated multiple quality research projects which resulted in positive outcomes for the facility
- Trend Analysis
- Staff Training and Development
- Quality Assurance Experience
- Internal Audits
- Operation Monitoring
- Regulatory Compliance
Accomplishments
- Development and implementation of HACCP plan Good manufacturing practice (GMP) and SOP Pest control program Plant manufacturing knowledge Product research and development Sanitation Foreign material control Microbial testing Chemical analysis
Certification
- Intermediate Certificate in Applied HACCP Principles- Royal Institute of Public Health UK
- HACCP For Food Processors
- ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification and Proctor/Instructor
- FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCQI)
- Seafood HACCP
- Best Aquaculture Practice (BAP)
- SQF in view
- Member IFST (Institute of Food Science and Technology)
- Member, NEHA (National Environmental Health Association)
- Professional Train the Trainer Certificate
- NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
- Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
- 2019 National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
- Certified professional- Food Safety Credential (in view)
- FDA Food Defense Certificate
Timeline
FSQA Assistant Manager
Standard Meat Company
02.2018 - Current
Food Safety Quality Assurance Senior Supervisor
MOWI USA- Fish Processing
01.2016 - 02.2018
Quality Assurance Supervisor
COSMAXNBT
10.2012 - 02.2016
FSQA Supervisor
LSG Sky Chefs
03.2008 - 10.2012
Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist
Terrasoul Superfoods
02.2006 - 02.2008
Master of Science - Food Safety And Management
University of Birmingham