Own the performance for regional quality control for North American sites to ensure the business meets manufacturing targets and customer requirements by analyzing data to identify areas of improvement and risk and implement actions to sustain and improve our quality performance with consistent products and services.Own the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) processes, including leading ISO 9001 implementation efforts at strategic sites to achieve certification and continue QMS oversight to maintain certifications by leading site management reviews and quality audits. For the 2024 surveillance audits at the Long Beach CA, Lock Haven PA, and Shreveport LA sites, the Bureau Veritas recommended continued ISO 9001:2015 certification.Own the improvement of customer satisfaction and resolution of customer complaints by leading investigations, identifying causes, and implementing effective corrective actions to reduce the risk of future incidents. Through monthly business team meetings, communicate the NA quality successes, challenges, points of attention, and next steps to improve customer satisfaction and product & service quality. Own the improvement of supplier performance for raw materials, carriers, and 3rd party tollers by using Supplier Corrective Action Reports (SCAR) and supplier audit processes to address non-conformances through investigations, identification of causes, and corrective actions.Own the Quality Management (QM) processes in SAP, including working with the plant quality, R&D, and commercial Supply Chain Managers to maintain QM in SAP for new and current materials (products) to ensure: Inspection Assignments are set up for Material Management (MM), Inspection Plans (IP) are established so product analytical test data can be recorded, and Certificate Profiles (CP) are established and assigned for each material.

Own the performance for regional quality control for North American sites to ensure the business meets manufacturing targets and customer requirements by analyzing data to identify areas of improvement and risk and implement actions to sustain and improve our quality performance with consistent products and services.Own the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) processes, including leading ISO 9001 implementation efforts at strategic sites to achieve certification and continue QMS oversight to maintain certifications by leading site management reviews and quality audits.Successfully implemented ISO 9001:2015 requirements and achieved Bureau Veritas registration at our Lock Haven PA, Shreveport LA, and Long Beach CA sites, where surveillance audits verified that we continued to meet ISO 9001:2015 requirements.Owned the improvement of customer satisfaction and resolution of complaints by leading investigations, identifying causes, and implementing effective corrective actions. From 2021 to 2022, reduced customer complaints by 14%, and improved communication to customers of investigation findings by 80%. Through business team meetings, communicate the quality successes, challenges, points of attention, and next steps to improve customer satisfaction, product & and service quality. Implemented a packaging securement process, which reduced damaged goods complaints by 50%.Owned the improvement of supplier performance for raw materials, carriers, and 3rd party tollers by using Supplier Corrective Action Reports (SCAR) and supplier audit processes to address non-conformances through investigations, identification of causes, and implementation of corrective actions.Own the Quality Management (QM) processes in SAP to maintain QM in SAP for materials to ensure: Inspection Assignments are set up for Materials, Inspection Plans are established so product analytical test data can be recorded, and Certificate Profiles are established and assigned for each material.

Owned the product quality and ISO Quality Management System (QMS) for the development, production and testing of polypropylene products with 10 direct reports in QA and in the QC Laboratory. In 2018, successfully achieved ISO 9001:2015 registration within 10-months and with no non-conformances and several best practices. Successfully implemented product stewardship initiative to educate personnel on the sensitivity end use of products and to encourage personnel to report contamination / potential contamination concerns. Successfully implemented safety standards in the QC Lab for reducing the risk of COVID-19 illnesses transferring from personnel. Improved QC Lab testing performance through one-on-one discussions and updating SOPs/processes identified from data analysis. Successfully improved QC Lab test accuracy and precision through increased instrument preventive maintenance, updated calibration curves, updated SOPs, and continual training of personnel. Successfully implemented actions to reduced contamination (additives, resins & metals) by implementing updated procedures, new additive feeders, valve replacements, and new self-cleaning magnet systems. In 2020, reduced contamination costs by >50%. Successfully worked with sales & technical personnel to educate customers and carriers on black specks specifications and sample collection to reduce black speck complaints by >50%. Successfully implemented actions to reduce wet pellet customer complaints, including scrapping old rail cars, improving inspection/repair process, and improving railcar cleaning, loading and sealing process. In 2020, successfully reduced wet pellet costs by 50%. Successfully worked with operations personnel to achieve and maintain a Final Pass Prime of 95-96% for sellable product (1st quadrant of Townsend polypropylene manufacturers). Successfully implemented a paperless documentation in the QC Lab using LIMS (SampleManager), tablets and lab tops.

Served as critical member of the executive team providing vision, leadership and strategies for new business, process improvements and cost saving projects. Led efficient execution of testing and services for all laboratories (product quality, USP, microbiological, chemical, and nutritional labeling) for the testing of foods, beverages, OTC pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and nutraceuticals.Ensured all laboratories provided unsurpassed customer service in testing accuracy, precision and turnaround time per validated methods (USP, AOAC, USDA, etc.) and CFR protocols for dietary supplements. Drove improvement of laboratory processes through implementation of objectives, mentoring of managers, and establishment of procedures and training programs. Collaborated with R&D, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and IT to meet objectives and ensure efficient operation of site.Ensured maintenance and continual improvement of A2LA ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and NELAC accreditation, USDA certification, and FDA registration and CFR (dietary supplements). Effectively planned and executed enhancements to profitability, productivity, and efficiency throughout all processes with a scientific staff of 40 plus employees. Established and achieved P&L budgetary and capital objectives for all laboratories, including safety, health and environmental (SHE) goals.

Managed QC/QA laboratory and Management Representative reporting to plant manager and responsible for the ISO 9001:2008 quality management system (QMS) and GMP/GLP for the development, manufacturing and testing of gel-coatings.Developed, implemented and achieved metrics to improve batch approvals, product quality, and customer satisfaction. Improved customer satisfaction from 92% to 97% and reduced the cost of poor quality (COPQ) by 50%.Led investigations and weekly meetings with manufacturing, technical and commercial leadership to identify root causes and implement containment / effective corrective actions to resolve and reduce internal non-conformances and customer complaints by 50%. Manage the QC Laboratory with seven employees.Used physical property, analytical data, and technical application data/studies to obtained customer approval of product specifications, which increased quick batch approvals, prevented rework and maintained product quality.Monitored and improved supplier performance by procurement corrective actions process.Directly involved in FMEA stage-gate process to ensure new products met customer application and performance requirements.Trained Lean Six-Sigma Sponsor with one Green-Belt direct report.

Management Representative reporting to President, responsible for establishing, maintaining and improving the ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS) for North America. Implemented the QMS for all sites and achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification within one year. In 2008 & 2009, 3rd party auditor noted only one non-conformance. In 2010, successfully passed triennial audits and achieved ISO 9001:2008 registration with no non-conformances.Formulated, directed, and participated in the development and implementation of KPIs, objectives, policies, and procedures. Maintained customer satisfaction of >99.8% for supply chain, manufacturing and terminals impacting customers globally.Managed internal and external quality auditing of policies, procedures, and processes, and oversaw resolution of non-conformances or opportunities for improvement.Conducted management reviews and lead for customer, kosher, FDA/cGMP audits / visits.Global Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Quality Management (QM) component of SAP. Managed the Quality Management (QM) module of SAP used for internal / customer product specifications, certificate of analysis, and quality notifications (customer complaints).Assured the quality requirements for products and raw materials met customer and manufacturing specifications globally, including OU kosher and FDA/cGMP requirements.Resolved and documented global customer complaints, questionnaires, and special product requirements (specification reviews) to drive continual improvement efforts to prevent and reduce non-conformances.Monitored and improved supplier performance by procurement corrective actions process. Provided global technical support related to product specifications / properties, manufacturing processes, material handling, and laboratory methods of analysis.

Resolved and documented customer complaints, questionnaires, and product specification reviews using Six-Sigma DMAIC, 5S, & 8D approach to drive continual improvement to prevent / reduce non-conformances. Circumvent claims up to $0.5 MM. Global Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Quality Management (QM) component of SAP, including Quality Notification (QN) process for documenting customer complaints.Managed SAP QM process used to (a) document customer and manufacture control specifications (MCS), (b) release finished products at manufacturing plants, contract terminals and warehouses, and (c) certificate of analysis (COA) creation, documentation, and delivery.Provided technical support to purchasing, supply chain, customer service, sales & customers.Conducted internal quality audits of corporate business processes.

Six-Sigma resource for Procurement Enhancement Projects (PEP). Trained in Six-Sigma DMAIC methodology (identify cost savings and implement actions to reduce spend).Re-negotiated NA Small Package Freight contract resulting in $250 M USD yearly savings.

Ensured quality assurance for products manufactured at and raw materials supplied to plant, contract terminals, warehouses and distributors, including OU kosher and FDA requirements.Provided technical support (of product specifications, manufacturing processes, and product handling) to purchasing, supply chain, customer service, sales, and customers.Resolved and documented customer complaints, questionnaires, and specification reviews.Global Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Quality Management (QM) component of SAP, including Quality Notification (QN) process for documenting customer complaints.Implemented and managed SAP QM process used for (a) documenting customer and manufacture control specifications (MCS), (b) releasing finished products at manufacturing plants, contract terminals and warehouses, and (c) certificate of analysis (COA) creation, documentation, and delivery.Resolved non-conforming product incidents through data and sample analysis, including GC, GC/MS, and wet laboratory methods (water, color, acidity, specific gravity, etc.).Trained ISO 9001:2000 quality auditor. Conducted audits of manufacturing plant processes.

Supported manufacturing in the production of aldehydes, alcohols, acetate esters and acids.Major contributor in catalyst recovery project resulting in 14 MM USD yearly savings .Supported the process chemistry associated with the Boilers, Cooling Water Towers (CWT), Heavy Metal Removal (HMR) unit, Neutral Effluent Treatment (NET) unit, Plant Outfall (PO) Effluent, and waterside of Hydrogen / Syn-Gas production.Conducted Microscope Examinations of the Activated Sludge in the NET unit and made appropriate process decisions based on microbiology of microorganisms.Ensured waste water permit compliance in the areas of PO and Stormwater.

Supervised four laboratory technicians in wastewater and solid waste analyses.Increased lab savings through cross-training, new lab equipment, and reduction of headcount by 50%.Trained and authored methods and procedures manual per the USEPA Standards Methods, including tests for metals, TOC, BOD, pH, ammonia and oil & grease.Coordinated lab testing of drinking water, groundwater wells, PO effluent and Boiler Industrial Furnace (BIF) Liquid Waste Organics (LWO).Analyzed, characterized and determine disposal actions for Solid Waste samples per USEPA Solid Waste (SW-846) Methods for Hazardous Characteristics.Generated monthly Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) and Monthly Effluent Report (MER) for the federal and state agencies.

Authored methods calibration procedures and validated/qualified methods (IQ, OQ & PQ) per USP, FDA and cGMP guidelines.Ensured QC Laboratory compliance with USP, FDA and cGMP guidelines.Supervised and trained technicians in the QC laboratory.Analyzed and characterized raw materials, reference standards, pharmaceutical intermediates & bulk actives using chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC and TLC) and spectrographic methods of analysis (UV and IR).

Researched and developed bulk pharmaceuticals and intermediates and various phosphine ligands.Co-authored Patent 5977369 (Issued 11/02/99): Process to prepare dihydropyridine and derivatives thereof.Performed laboratory validations and piloting of pharmaceuticals under cGMP protocols.Provided engineers and operators with technical support in multi-kilogram campaigns.Supervised and trained technicians and operators in the R&D laboratory.Purified and analyzed pharmaceutical intermediates, impurities and bulk actives using chromatography (GC, HPLC, TLC and flash), distillation and structure elucidation techniques of analysis: NMR (1H, 13C and 31P), FT-IR, UV/VIS and GC/mass spectroscopy.

Owned production schedule and determined storage & process (blending/charging) location of inorganic metal-bearing shipment materials based on hazardous/non-hazardous listing, physical characteristics, container-type, laboratory analysis, and material balances.Supervised proper warehouse storage of inorganic metal-bearing materials in permitted hazardous and non-hazardous areas according to state and federal permits.Worked closely with laboratory, operations, maintenance, customers, engineering, sales and marketing, and regulatory departments to accomplish the above responsibilities.

Determined optimum hydrometallurgical parameters, reagents and costs required for metal and anion extraction, separation and recovery from solid & liquid wastes, and wastewaters.Analyzed Plant Outfall (PO) using USEPA Standard Methods for: (a) total metals and anions, (b) total and reactive cyanide, and (c) phenol, sulfides, mercury, TOC, VOC, BOD, COD, TSS, ammonia, conductivity, salinity, pH, specific gravity and acidity/alkalinity.Maintained laboratory instrumentation, including Thermal-Jarrell Ash ICAP, Perkin-Elmer AA, Milton Roy UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, MAXIMA Ion Chromatographer, Bacharach Cold-Vapor Mercury Analyzer, Rosemount-Dohrmann TOC and YSI BOD Analyzer.

Studied nucleophilic additions to 2-butyne and 2,4-hexadiyne compounds and developed methodology for 2-butene and 2,4-hexadiene compounds. Publication acknowledgment: B.S. Thyagarajan and B.F. Wood, Jr., Phosphorus and Sulfur, 33, 87-98 (1987).Established methods required to separate and recover starting materials, products and impurities by methods of crystallization, distillation and chromatography.Purified and analyzed organic compounds using chromatography (TLC, flash and bench), distillation and structure elucidation techniques of analysis: NMR (1H and 13C), FT-IR, UV/VIS and GC/mass spectroscopy.