Specialize in Consulting and Training to improve overall organization performance in manufacturing environments utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies and Statistical Process Control techniques.

Responsible for the supervision, operation and maintenance of the quality systems necessary to ensure product quality for the consumer and compliance with the regulatory reporting requirements via the collection, documentation, and reporting of the necessary data to maintain National Tobacco Company’s freedom to operate. Oversee all quality assurance functions at multiple manufacturing locations, manage vendor quality assurance, and responsible for the scheduling, execution, implementation, and continual improvement of established quality procedures.

Directed the analytical testing of incoming raw materials, in process batching, and the bottling of finished product in a facility that processes 20 million gallons of spirits per year, bottling seven million cases per year, shipped to domestic and international markets.• Hired and trained three Quality Team Advisors and five Quality Control Specialists during the past three years. During this period we experienced a 120% increase in the number of samples coming into the laboratory, resulting from the increased focus on new product innovations. There were at least 20 new or redesigned products and/or line extensions introduced during each of the past two years.• Implemented and communicated consistent quality standards and expectations across all production shifts, shifting much of the quality focus to the production operators on the floor. • Conducted an extensive capability study to determine the process capability of all bottle capping equipment in the facility. Evaluated the data using statistical process control techniques to determine more precise specification and control limits for each type of closure used. This virtually eliminated downtime associated with having to adjust application torques to meet the previous specifications. • Serve as the main production contact on any quality related issue with the two customers that we have contracts to process and bottle for. • Direct and manage the ISO-9001 quality program for Louisville Production Operations. Zero non-conformances have been documented during this time period. Reduced the required frequency of third party auditing from semi-annual to annual.• Also manage all quality systems and testing at a separate production facility producing just over one million cases of lower alcohol content flavored carbonated beverages per year.Serve as sole technical resource for all counterfeit investigations of all B-F bands.

Develop, establish, implement, and monitor Corporate Quality Standards that will emphasize continued improvement of product quality and insure individual brand integrity. Responsible for insuring sufficient Quality Systems and Procedures exist to maintain the expected quality standards on all finished goods. Provide technical support to all production facilities throughout the world on the performance and measurement of key Quality Systems and Continuous Improvement Initiatives. Last fiscal year, sales of Brown-Forman products were $3.3 billion.  Plan, manage, and implement corporate audit programs providing consultation and direction to production facilities for the elimination of deficiencies. Developed a comprehensive database to manage the timely investigation of customer complaints for all Brown-Forman brands worldwide. Provide direction as technical resource for all manufacturing plants with capacity and authority to develop and implement changes to standard operational procedures when required. Serve as communication link between marketing groups and various production facilities when specific quality issues occur in the field. Extensive international travel related to resolution of in-market quality issues, oversight during start-up at new contract production facilities, and to develop specific operational procedures as needed.

Provided quality control guidance and technical support to Natural Work Teams in all departments of Louisville Production Operations. Prepared documented procedures for all quality related testing using ISO 9000 format. Plant received ISO 9002 certification in 1996. Facilitated Natural Work Team training sessions involving all aspects of product and finished package quality.  Coordinated corrective action development with suppliers when non-conformance issues occurred.

 Reorganized laboratory operations which allowed for the reduction in analysis time from three plus weeks to less than five days. Developed new in house laboratory procedures for analyses that were previously done by independent laboratories which directly led to reduced department expenses. Managed Competitive Product Monitoring Project. Acquired samples of competitive products from around the country, analyzed for composition, and compared to KFC product specifications. Developed and implemented Finished Product Specifications for all KFC products.

Directed a staff of ten professionals and technicians responsible for the overall quality control of more than 2,000 dairy farms within a five state area, operating on a yearly budget in excess of $600,000. Managed all quality related testing of incoming raw materials, in process production, and finished goods. Assisted in the development of a computerized record keeping system which allowed for the reduction of our clerical staff and lead to a significant decrease in the yearly operating budget. Initiated procedural changes which directly led to a decreased work load allowing for a reduction in the workforce company wide.