Alyce Waters Email & Phone Number

Fort Lauderdale, Fl, Us

Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area

Miami, Florida, United States

• Led a team of Compliance Specialists to ensure all aspects of product safety and regulatory compliance were met• Instrumental in implementing The Michaels Companies compliance requirements at Darice after the acquisition; identified and remedied inadequacies to align the programs• Managed supplier adherence to social compliance and product compliance standards via factory audits and product testing/inspections• Executed and enhanced internal quality program requirements, in addition to multiple customer quality programs; collaborated with China office teams in implementation• Reviewed, revised, and ensured product labeling compliance• Composed training material and regularly trained Sales, Merchant and PD teams to maintain quality and compliance standards when creating, selecting, and selling new product• Researched and investigated product quality and safety complaints as a Product Safety Compliance Committee member; resolved fragile packaging issues by implementing enhanced packaging verified through testing and inspection• Provided subject matter expertise throughout the organization

• Led a team responsible for consumer product quality, import compliance, supplier compliance• Drove a reformulation of the entire quality compliance program using IT solutions and cross-functional team involvement. • Investigated and negotiated with third party service providers to achieve the most cost effective testing, inspection, and factory auditing services. Presented analysis and obtained Executive buy-in to implement.• Researched and proposed a plan to remove a subset of suppliers from the Sourcing Agent’s responsibility, saving approximately $4MM annually. Rolled out program and ensured supplier and third party compliance.• Created and approved new testing protocols, including any new state or Federal requirements to ensure compliance by the effective dates.• Collaborated regularly with Legal department to ensure supplier, buyer, and Sourcing awareness of current standards and regulations, as well as potential upcoming legislation.• Discovered $170K annual duty savings by classifying no sew throws as toys (duty free) rather than fleece (17.2% duty) according to Court of International Trade ruling.• Identified deficiencies in product labeling, implemented testing, and effectuated new labeling guidelines and training to bring the company into compliance with Federal regulations.• Formulated and implemented Reasonable Testing Program for children’s products to ensure Federal safety compliance.• Investigated and resolved product quality/safety issues in conjunction with the Product Review Committee. Wrote Committee SOP and gained Executive buy-in to implement.• Served as lead contact for continued compliance to and participation in Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Responsibilities included annually updating company security profile, authoring risk assessment, and accompanying Customs on the foreign site revalidations to maintain Tier III status. Created and implemented company-wide C-TPAT training.

• Conducted and supervised a laboratory staff of 16, including 15 scientists and technicians.• Daily managed and prioritized a fluid laboratory schedule in conjunction with Production Control in order to meet customer demand while maintaining quality.• Approved/rejected product disposition based on technician testing results; formulated and approved reworks for manufactured materials failing specifications.• Initiated and facilitated several 5S projects to improve efficiency and implement lean processes.• Spearheaded process improvement teams to enhance departmental metrics. • Coordinated with HR to develop new positions to expand staff capabilities and opportunities.• Assisted in implementation (IQ/OQ/PQ) of endotoxin unit, Hitachi 717 analyzer.• Supported department Manager in budget preparation and control.• Provided technical support and resources to Manufacturing, RND, Customer Service and Sales.