Jeff Blocker Email & Phone Number

Plant City, Florida, United States

Florida, United States

Position eliminated due to corporate restructuring.

Driscoll is the market leader for fresh berries. Managing a staff of six quality assurance inspectors in Texas, Arizona and Illinois, I was responsible for Category Managed and Category Advised customers to ensure product met or exceeded all quality standards from distribution center to point of sale. Retail and wholesale customers included Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Anthony Marano Company, Wegmans, Big Y, Schnucks, Giant Eagle, C&S Wholesale, Metro (Canada), Save Mart, Jewel Osco Safeway and multiple divisions of Kroger. I managed QA at cross-dock operations in Texas and Arizona and used best management practices to audit customer cold chains. Accomplishments included:• Developed and deployed comprehensive retail cold chain management practices to help retail customers improve shelf-life and consumer satisfaction, while maintaining compliance with the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act• Developed and deployed reporting system to deliver in-market QA information back to growers• Continually monitored arrival quality by establishing an in-market QA lab at a wholesale customer site in Chicago; performed post-harvest and packaging tests• Reduced product rejection to zero in the food service channel in Florida by establishing year-round forward distribution cooler during the off-season• Worked with customers to analyze product flow and handling practices from distribution centers to store display with a focus on cold chain management. • Developed and deployed training programs to assist customers develop better QA process to inspect incoming product from suppliers• Began at the company in 2003 as a QA manager for Florida and, after one year, was promoted to QA manager for the eastern region, including North Carolina and New Jersey

• Served as a consultant advising on Good Manufacturing Practices, Best Management Practices, FDA safety and HACCP compliance issues for emerging industrial hemp growers and processors

• Developed, implemented and enforced Hazard Analysis, Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) to ensure food safety• Managed meat chemistry laboratory, including five technicians, for process control and regulatory compliance• Directed regulatory affairs, process improvement, quality control and employee training programs

• Developed, implemented and enforced Hazard HACCP and SSOP programs to ensure food safety• Managed eight quality control personnel• Directed regulatory affairs, process improvement, quality control and employee training programs

• Developed, executed and evaluated agricultural educational programs for livestock production• Monitored residential and commercial research on livestock, lawns, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, shade trees, fruit and nut trees, soil testing and fertilization• Served as a liaison to agricultural clients and agri-business firms

• Developed, implemented and enforced Hazard HACCP and SSOP programs to ensure food safety• Achieved18 months of uninterrupted operation without a single product recall or environmental pathogen• Directed regulatory affairs, process improvement, quality control and employee training programs

• Developed lesson plans for meat science courses and HACCP training plans

I supervised operation and maintenance of advanced weapons systems, including computer and radar components, as well as training of junior personnel and standing of various underway and in-port watches. I also served in the Naval Reserve from November 1992 to February 2009, supervising 60 junior personnel in the maintenance, upkeep and operation of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1681.

Bachelor'S Degree, Animal Sciences

Associate'S Degree, General Studies