Leah Howard Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Development and commercialization of new products, optimization of existing product mix, supplier quality management, process improvement, contingency sourcing, and audit and evaluation for adherence to specifications.

Miami, Florida

Managed the bakery and produce programs for 7200 restaurants and 55 regional suppliers, a combined $100MM+ spend, including ensured supply, contract management, vendor quality management, strategy development, RFPs, and forecasting. Provided technical subject matter expertise for the bakery and produce categories. Ensured successful commercialization for numerous market tests, LTOs, and permanent menu items featuring bakery and produce items. Interfaced directly with restaurant operators and franchisees and acted as the liaison between restaurants and suppliers for the resolution of service and quality issues.

Birmingham, Alabama

Consistently achieved highest possible scores on GFSI, customer, sanitation, and food safety audits, and repeatedly achieved highest scores in plant history.Executed a detailed analysis and full overhaul of the existing HACCP plan for compliance with FSMA and HARPC.Implemented inter-departmental plant food safety inspection program with full root cause analysis and corrective actions of sanitation and food safety issues, and led weekly inspections with multi-disciplinary team.Led plant-wide preparation and execution of all customer and third-party audits and regulatory inspections.Continuously developed, implemented, validated, and optimized programs for compliance with audit, regulatory, and customer specifications.Served as in-plant contact for contracted pest control company.Worked with Sales Team members and various QSR chains to address quality and food safety complaints.

Columbus, Georgia Area

Led quality and food safety programs across three manufacturing plants and 15+ production lines, including high-risk peanut processing, candy, and cookie and cracker production. This included the development and implementation of 11 HACCP plans, food defense plans, and document control system. Ensured compliance with and led the plants in all customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, and achievement of Level 3 SQF Certification.

Montgomery, Alabama Area

Managed a team of eight (8) Food Safety and Quality Assurance personnel. Led the bakery to achievement of the highest possible score of an A on 2012 BRC audit. Continuously developed, implemented, and improved programs, policies, and procedures for compliance with audit, regulatory, and customer specifications. Led all preparation for and execution of BRC, customer audits, regulatory inspections, and maintenance of Kosher certification.

Montgomery, Alabama, United States

Led and supervised a team of six on-site Quality Control Technicians. Continuously developed, implemented, and improved programs for compliance with audit, regulatory, and customer specifications, including the audit of more than 200 inter-departmental policies, procedures, and working documents for improved compliance and functionality as part of a self-initiated Document Control improvement initiative. Worked closely with Operations to improve knowledge of the manufacturing process and enhance inter-departmental collaboration. Led all site-wide employee training for quality and food safety. Managed the customer complaint program for retail and foodservice products, including root cause analysis and corrective actions, customer responses, and trend analysis.

Auburn, Alabama Area

Performed required media and culture preparation for laboratory sessions, instructed and assisted students in laboratory techniques, ensured cleanliness and safety of lab before, during, and after classes.

Worked with R&D to conduct extensive analyses and provide comprehensive reporting to plant senior leadership in the development of the Nature’s Own All-Natural English muffin.Conducted sensory and objective testing on bakery products to verify adherence to customer specifications.Conducted data analysis and trend reporting for internal and third party quality scoring and complaints.