Nikki Sasher, M.S., M.B.A. Email & Phone Number

Louisville, KY, US

• Managed multiple laboratories to provide customer facing tests with a 98% on-time completion rate and generated over $300,000 in annual cost savings by enhancing and expanding in-house test capabilities
• Selected as U.S. delegate and bioaerosol expert for an ISO standard development committee, providing microbiological expertise to define the scope of the standard
• Led testing operations in the lab that directly contributed to securing $2M in new sales contracts by demonstrating my department's capabilities and supporting sales efforts
• Drove the identification of new market opportunities and led the invention and commercialization of a groundbreaking product, managing the value chain, securing a patent and expanding the product line

Louisville, KY, US

• Pioneered the design and implementation of the first ever in air filtration, in-house bioaerosol test laboratory; leveraging innovative testing capabilities to align with strategic business goals and capture a dominant.
• Exhibited strong leadership and project management skills by effectively coordinating and overseeing multiple projects and direct reports in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

London, GB

• Appointed technical lead for the laboratory start-up of a 10 million proof gallon distillery, playing a key role in the distillery's start-up and commissioning team
• Spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive and effective Quality Management System, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision making
• Led the design and implementation of pre-requisite programs, GMP, and sanitation reviews to ensure 100% compliance for a new start-up, while developing a site-wide HACCP food safety program that aligned with the.
• Directed internal and external audits, maintaining a strong track record of compliance with regulatory authorities, and ensuring the company's food safety certifications were always up to date
• Conducted root-cause analysis for fermentation and critical utility issues, delivering timely reports that enabled swift, actionable production responses and minimized downtime

Louisville, KY, US

• Served as the global corporate microbiologist and brand ambassador for one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine businesses, providing expert microbiological support across global production and third-party.
• Led product development initiatives, researching new food ingredients, testing product formulations, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality regulations
• Played an integral role in the launch of a new product line, managing product testing, shelf-life studies, and ingredient sourcing
• Contributed to the development of key regulatory documents and ensured that all products met safety standards before reaching the market
• Provided primary support for quality control operations across production facilities, ensuring compliance with global food safety standards (ISO 22000, HACCP, FSMA) for all products
• Worked cross-functionally with R&D, production, and packaging teams to ensure new products met stringent quality standards before launch, resulting in zero recalls

In my role as a Quality Assurance professional at Jack Daniel Distillery, I meticulously monitored all aspects of the production process to ensure the highest quality standards were met. By delivering actionable data to various departments, I played a key role in reducing production delays and maintaining consistency in our products.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, International Business

Master Of Science (M.S.), Food Science

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Microbiology