Sara Maxwell Email & Phone Number

Denham Springs, La, Us

Louisiana State certified Class 2 Water Operator, Water Treatment and Water Production Runs Water Lab at coal and natural gas power plant. Cross-trained to perform all functions at all labs and water operator stations on site. Gathers monthly samples for LDHH testing for regulatory compliance. Performs pretreatment procedures on Mississippi River water to remove a majority of contaminants. Operates Demineralization Unit to remove more impurities from water after it has been pretreated. Performs analysis on treated water for impurities before it is used to generate steam to power the turbines. Participates in unit startup testing to verify water safety and impurity levels for compliance. Gathers microbiological samples and maintains inventory and scheduling for testing of these samples throughout the year. Documents results of any testing performed and creates graphs and trend charts for comparison. Orders lab equipment and supplies and performs regular maintenance on instruments. Works with chemical companies for orders and expected delivery schedules. Acting manager when needed for out of office events. Member of Safety Committee and creates monthly safety presentations.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Elected as Secretary of the Board of Directors in October 2014.• Serves as Board Member and Secretary for this 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation.• Takes minutes for meetings and introduces innovative ideas to gain sponsors and customers.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Assists part-time in several aspects of concert production at this non-profit music venue.• Sells CDs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, albums, stickers, koozies, books, artwork, and other merchandise for local and traveling musicians and artists.• Collects donations for artists, arranges seating, applies decorations, assists with construction, and performs building maintenance.• Prepares snacks and desserts, including cakes, brownies, and cookies, for musicians and patrons.• Manages multiple e-mail lists and websites.• Ensures customer satisfaction is achieved.

• Inspected and evaluated in-process samples as well as finished products before they were ready to be transported to customers.• Performed wet chemistry procedures on raw materials using a pH meter, refractive index meter, automatic titration machines, gas chromatographs (GC), total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer, colorimeter, densitometer, Karl Fischer titrators, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and analytical balances.• Measured viscosity, aldehyde, acidity, and peroxide value of products for Dow Chemical. • Used Agilent CDS to process and evaluate samples. • Participated in audit preparation and peer review document control practices.• Logged sample results using LIMS and Lab Ware programs and checked customer orders using SAP.• Possessed TWIC card for secure plant access, participated in monthly safety checks and monthly safety meetings.

• Customized proprietary vitamin and mineral premix formulas for several large companies.• Used and developed Research and Development (R&D) methods for specific product applications to meet the customer’s needs including bakery, gummy and tablet vitamins, drink mixes, cakes, and dog food.• Consulted customers and sales representatives to understand and record the product requirements including any special dietary or religious standards.• Calculated nutrition facts using Genesis, constructed product data sheets, made premix box labels, developed mixing directions, and completed master batch profiles for purchase orders based on formulas created.• Performed repairs on LC chromatograph, completed sample analysis by titration, and followed standard operating procedures (SOP).• Developed cake and pasta recipes and performed small-scale bakery and cooking analysis to present to customer for approval for texture and color concerns.• Performed bakery testing and analysis on bread using in-house products for dough stability.• Assisted with olfactory and gustatory testing of R&D developed products.

• Ran wastewater analyses on outfall and rainwater samples using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP), total organic carbon (TOC) meter, and ammonia meter. • Also executed tests on wastewater using: chemical oxygen demand (COD) test materials, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) meter, total suspended solids (TSS) test supplies, and a separating funnel. • Analyzed in-process and finished product samples using Liquid (HPLC) and Gas Chromatographs (GC), Karl Fischer titrators, analytical balances, a density meter, a pH meter, and rapid moisture analyzers. • Performed manual integration on LC and GC chromatograph programs, monthly calibrations, QA/QC checks, machine maintenance and repairs, 5S cleaning and organizing, and standard operating procedure (SOP) reviews.• Prepared calibration standards and other reagents and controls inventory through ordering supplies, chemicals, and lab ware.• Analyzed extra samples for customers and engineers, as needed.• Participated in customer, environmental, ISO 9002, and FSSC 22000 audits.• Assisted with olfactory and gustatory testing and procedures for Vanillin and Ethyl Vanillin finished products.• Acquired TWIC card for secure plant access, participated in monthly safety checks, and attended monthly safety meetings.• Started as a contractor in January 2016 through January 2017 with Randstad Engineering and was hired after completing my contract.

Port Allen, Louisiana

Quality Department Supervisor• Ensured quality and food safety compliance through regulation and policy training, compliance, and verification/auditing activities. Studied and implemented new policies and standards for food safety and quality as they were passed down from corporate.• Worked with wheat merchant to order specific wheat, conversed with other departments and managed wheat and flour blending to ensure that customer specifications were met. • Coached and provided support to lab technician to develop appreciation and understanding of the importance of the quality department. • Led internal audits and food safety training to inform others about potential risks and areas needing improvement.• Ordered flour ingredients and laboratory supplies, and kept track of inventory for lab instruments, chemicals, flour ingredients, cleaning supplies, and office supplies for the lab.• Grew customer relationships to further understand their needs and showed intent to meet those needs.• Port Allen’s Food Safety Team leader and Product Recall Team member.

Port Allen, Louisiana

Ardent Mills is a Joint Venture of Cargill, CHS Milling, and ConAgra Mills. The merger completed in May of 2014. • Inspected and evaluated in-process flour samples as well as finished product samples before they were shipped to customers. Measured moisture, protein, and ash of flour, wheat, and feed to make sure that company and customer standards were met.• Performed vomitoxin tests and scale calibrations; conducted COA audits; ran farinograph curves and HMIL scans; and repaired and maintained the FOSS NIR, FOSS whole grain analyzer, and Perten falling number machines.• Participated in monthly crosschecks internally and externally. • Prepared and shipped bake samples, HMIL samples, and customer samples on a weekly basis and ground wheat samples biweekly.• Led Port Allen’s Engagement Team and Behavioral Science Technology (BST) Safety Team, Food Safety Team member and secretary, Product Recall Team member, and Sanitation Tool Project leader.• Port Allen’s October 2014 Employee of the Month.

Garyville, Louisiana

• Inspected and evaluated in-process samples as well as finished product before it was shipped to customers.• Performed wet chemistry procedures on raw materials using a pH meter, spectrophotometer, refractive index meter, conductivity meter, automatic titration machine, liquid chromatograph (LC), total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer, and analytical scales.• Measured density, dust, color, moisture, and particle size of super absorbent polymer products to make sure that company standards were met.• Reason for leaving: fulfilled six-month contract with Evonik through Tech 2000.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Applied for and received a grant from the LSU College of Agriculture.• Completed a sodium chloride salt replacement project under the head of the Food Science and Technology Department at LSU.• Used calcium chloride and potassium chloride and applied many formulations of each on a variety of products to test the consumer acceptability.• This study suggested that the application of a 75% sodium salt reduction in white pan bread should be further researched for possible replacements of current products.• Reason for leaving: project completed and returned to academic studies.

Port Allen, Louisiana

• Through this summer internship, many aspects of coffee and tea production were studied.• Inspected and evaluated green coffee beans from several countries.• Measured moisture, density, grind, color, and overall appearance of coffee to make sure that company standards were met.• Monitored levels of caffeine in the decaffeinated and half-caffeinated coffees, using a Gas Chromatograph (GC).• Participated in cupping sensory to learn the taste profiles of the various coffees and ensure each fell in its desired range.• Evaluated chicory and tea samples for weight, taste, color, moisture, and quality.• Reason for leaving: summer internship completed.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Performed office maintenance, file and contract organizing, website updating, and appointment scheduling at this growing commercial real estate firm.• Ordered resources, assisted agents and clients, operated a switchboard, and sent memo and e-mail correspondence.• Reason for leaving: to complete Bachelor of Science degree.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Customer service call representative for one of the nation's leading cellular phone companies. • Completed six week training program and learned computer programs, including Citrix. • Assisted customers with billing issues, new phone purchases, lost phone suspension, stolen phone reports, phone plan inquiries, and account cancellations as well as other customer needs. • Responsible for dealing with classified information and vital documents for individuals, families, and businesses. • Successfully kept customers satisfied with exceptional service and earned many "one call resolution" awards. • Reason for leaving: to work at a better opportunity closer to home.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Food Science And Technology

Activities and Societies: Food Science ClubMember of Food Science Club; recipient of Kleinpeter Dairy scholarship, McIlhenny Company.

Nutrition Sciences

Nutrition Sciences

Member of Peer Mentor Organization