Tom Grantner Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Munster, In, Us

• Initiated significant cost savings through formula cost and yield improvements; projects include formula optimizations, modification of ingredient quantities, use of new and/or elimination of ingredients, and meat block adjustments• Developed and improved cook cycles for 130 transferred product lines which transitioned to Lansing location from Nebraska plant• Created and implemented smokehouse training procedures for 130 newly transferred product lines; provided formal and hands-on training to smokehouse operators and supervisors throughout all three cook shifts• Tested and analyzed the ROI, effectiveness, and efficiency for new/modified equipment including: tumblers, liquid smoke drench cabinets, smoke generators, and smokehouse heating sources • Created an ad-hoc skilled sensory panelist team after analyzing two years of sensory data; used to establish baseline organoleptic characteristics of key sausage SKUs and continuously improve variables such as particle definition, color, texture and bite• Formulated and employed training materials to allow three facilities to conduct sensory tests and provided templates for chi-squared (χ2) analysis , panelist sheets and final sensory report• Partnered with HR and executive leadership in recruitment process which included sourcing new talent from three top tiered Food Science universities

Munster, In, Us

• Led production staff of 100 union employees in departments including: formulation, stuffing, cook and packaging• Managed the Wrap Kit commercialization which involved developing: SOPs, MOPs, training materials, logistics and quality defect management; communicated with a cross-functional team which validated its success• Led 5-S team to improve company organization; developed shadow boards for efficiency and risk aversion

Munster, In, Us

• Directed and coached quality staff of ten union employees while mitigating risk with the union stewards • Formalized the product quality evaluation process for largest volume products including defining defect categories and scoring metrics of acceptability• Managed and improved internal audit program, including expanding audits to comprise SQF principles• Assisted in SQF Level 3 audit and implementation of principles into plant culture• Conducted and consulted sensory tests for various departments including quality, process improvement and R&D

• Created and managed over 50 sensory tests while analyzing results using Compusense software• Communicated with industry representatives in developing eight new products in pilot plant