Ensured perspective and current vendor facility compliance to internal food safety requirements for 200+ facilities, including GFSI certificationParticipated in cross-functional product design and development teams for Dairy, Frozen, Produce, businesses- these included members from the buying groups, Labeling and Regulatory, Package Engineering, Product Development, Stores Food Safety, and Store OperationsPerformed on-site risk assessments and production evaluations Served as lead for my cross functional teams on the specification revision process, utilizing the iCiX systemLead investigation and partnered with vendors to develop action plans to improve product quality and reduce guest complaintsReviewed first production run samples to ensure compliance with Target specifications. Worked with vendors for resolution to non-compliance issuesAs a part of several project teams collaborated to complete key project milestones on time

Actively participate in regulatory (FDA, State of Minnesota), third-party, and internal auditsAssist Sales Representatives with handling customer concerns and complaintsAccurately monitor and document CCPs throughout productionCarefully evaluate finished product quality for compliance with specificationsProactively identify problems within the production area and take initiative in finding solutionsConsistently monitor and enforce compliance with GMPs, organic, Kosher, and safety regulationsCollaborate with management developing and implementing company policies and proceduresCollect and analyze product and environmental samples for microbial levelsCo-supervise two Quality Assurance Technicians, eight sanitarians and the janitorial personnel

Accurately performed extensive routine (APC, coliforms, E. coli, yeasts and molds) and pathogen (Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli O157:H7) microbial testingConsistently prepared a variety of culture media and set up all types of food and environmental samplesPerformed customized shelf-life studies as requested by clients

Conducted routine food and environmental microbial analyses as well as pathogen testing on a daily basis, besides specialized testing such as Most Probable Number (MPN) on water samples and fat testing on meat samplesPerformed sanitary audits for retailers and identified food safety risks based on theseParticipated in the AOAC quarterly proficiency testing programPerformed shelf-life testing and prepared detailed reports for customers on a frequent basis