Stephen Thome Email & Phone Number

Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Usa

Provide expertise and guidance in developing and implementing compliant, practical, and sustainable food safety and quality management systems.

Vice President – Global QA and Safety 2007 - 2020Developed and implemented Global Food Safety and Quality Management Systems in large, multinational bakery and bakery ingredients company comprised of 13 manufacturing plants and 22 distribution centers in the US, Mexico, Canada, and Europe.  Drove understanding and compliance with comprehensive Global Food Safety and Quality Systems and policies through ongoing coaching, training, internal audit, and targeted corrective action.  Designed comprehensive set of preventative controls in accordance with regulations and industry standards, resulting in high degree of compliance and no findings on regulatory audits, including: Led implementation of industry-leading allergen management program, resulting in safer processes, fewer complaints, operational efficiencies, and more accurate labeling. Upgraded company’s HACCP systems globally, fully validating controls for manufactured products (thermal processing, metal detection, sanitation, allergens). Implemented robust Recall Management tools and process, training all employees, testing process regularly, and assuring its effectiveness to remove / manage risks quickly and reduce costs to minimum levels. Championed and coached all Dawn Manufacturing plants and DCs, achieving and maintaining BRC AA or IFS Higher level certifications for 8 years running. Aligned all US-based food safety plans and preventive controls to comply with FSMA rules, training US Quality, Regulatory, and other key personnel in rules requirements. Transitioned European acquisition plants to Dawn global policies, improving consistency, reducing complaints, and improving certification audit scores from BRC B and A to BRC AA within 2 years.

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

CONAGRA FOODS-ENTERPRISE QUALITY - Sr. Director of Supplier Quality/Quality Systems (Aug.2004-Aug. 2007)Directed Corporate Supplier Quality for all Retail (refrigerated, dairy, grocery, frozen, dehydrated, and snack), Foodservice and Ingredient divisions and coached team of 14 directors, managers, and specialists. Developed and led quality processes for all contract manufacturing operations, ingredients, raw materials, packaging suppliers, private label products and Operations Quality at 5 ConAgra Food Ingredient plants. Designed and staffed Corporate Supplier Quality Organization structure: Supported business units, effectively managing risks related to procured raw materials and co-manufactured products. Identified, documented, and implemented primary business processes within Supplier Quality function. Visioned and implemented software system, effectively managing supplier documentation and vendor non-conformance for over 1500 direct material vendors. Minimized impact on ConAgra Foods products and brands by resolving numerous supplier-related issues.

Downers Grove, Illinois, United States

Responsible for Refrigerated Foods Retail Group Quality Systems, supporting operations of 24 retail and 10 foodservice manufacturing plants producing cheese and dairy products and ready-to-eat meat products. Supervised 16 corporate positions and 8 consultants in labeling services, quality auditing, supplier quality, consumer affairs, and specifications / documentation. Merged Quality Systems / Quality Assurance functions of dairy and meat groups, identifying key roles and responsibilities for department personnel and planning strategy and organizational structure for ongoing operations. Upgraded Refrigerated Foods Group food safety and quality procedures, including internal quality audit process, improving conformance to company policies, and better visibility to plant operations. Established and led consumer complaints reduction effort in Refrigerated Foods Group, resulting in 26.5% reduction of top 40 complaints and 9.5% reduction of total complaints in FY2004. Served as member of Corporate QA Optimization design team that established overall model for developing ConAgra Foods Corporate Quality System architecture and group.

Managed 7-member corporate team. Coached 9 plant managers and manufacturing plants, covering domestic / imported cheeses and dairy / egg products. Directed, developed, and implemented strategies / action plans, policies, and procedures towards food safety, QA, and CI in Dairy Foods Group.

Supervised 18-member QA department with quality and food safety system responsibilities for 4 manufacturing plants for dairy ingredients. Developed and implemented Total Quality Management (TQM) system based on self-directed work teams-based continuous improvement. Trained manufacturing management and employees on system implementation.

Business Administration, Mba, 3.9

Master Of Science - Ms, Bacteriology, 3.95

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, 3.4