Can and plastic bottle plant in San Leandro, CA

A custom skincare contract manufacturer of cosmeceuticals, natural and organic skincare products, spa products, sunscreens, OTC, acne products, personal care and pet care products.I oversee the bulk production of products.

Valtech Corporation, a global specialty chemical company, has manufactured specialty chemicals for a variety of high-technology markets worldwide for over 20 years. Our VALTRON® brand of epoxy adhesives, specialty molded polymers, and formulated detergents have proven to be a fundamental component within these industries. Valtech's focus continues to expand throughout high-tech industries, including photovoltaic (solar), semiconductor, ophthalmic lens, precision optics, medical device, precision metalworking, ceramics, computer hard disk drive (HDD), and LED manufacturing.R&D Chemist (Temporary Assignment)Joined R&D division of Valtech to assist R&D Manager with a backlog of projects. Key Accomplishments:• Solved the problem of a product dropping in pH over time, reducing the efficacy of the product for Valtech’s customers.• Co-developed a replacement surfactant system with buffering agents to reformulate a metal cleaning product to work in an ultrasonic spray cleaning system.

A privately owned custom chemical blender, toll and contract manufacturer with headquarters in Twinsburg, Ohio. With five locations, Royal offers extensive liquid and dry manufacturing capabilities. Royal blends and packages a wide range of products for many industries, with a focus on industrial, institutional and household cleaning products.Director of Technical Services, QC Manager Managed the verification and testing functions of the Quality Control department under GMP conditions. Duties included supervising a team of 2 QC Technicians, reviewing their work and guiding their career development, overseeing the Quality System for ISO 9001:2008 compliance, verifying its effective implementation via management review, vendor review and internal audits. I authored and edited ISO work instructions and conducted work instruction training for the facility. I evaluated and qualified new/alternate suppliers and raw materials, coordinated with contract laboratories for special analyses to meet customer protocols, and interfaced with customers regarding R&D requirements, including prototype development. I administered the plant Nonconforming Material Report (NMR) program, investigating both internal and external (customer originated) nonconformities, identifying root cause, and determining corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).Key Accomplishments:• Led a company project to merge and streamline the ISO work instructions across all five Royal Chemical facilities, merging separate systems into one.• Acted as lead audit manager for customers that have DfE registered products during NSF audits. All audits passed with no major notations.• Developed multiple procedures to comply with customer QC protocols such as standard operating procedures, test methods and inspection requirements.

A custom skincare contract manufacturer of cosmeceuticals, natural and organic skincare products, spa products, sunscreens, OTC, acne products, personal care and pet care products.Production Supervisor Managed the production of all bulk finished product under GMP conditions. I supervised a team of 9 Production Technicians, overseeing their work and career development. I interfaced with Scheduling, Shipping, Quality Control and Assembly/Packaging departments to ensure timely and efficient workflow.Key Accomplishments:• Collaborated with IT department to improve the functionality of the company’s process manufacturing ERP software.• Initiated daily production planning meetings with the General Manager and Shipping & Receiving Manager to facilitate efficient order processing.

Testing support for product development.

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products. As QA Supervisor, I oversaw 4-5 QA technicians performing analytical testing (color, viscosity, % fat, particle size, moisture content, flavor, peroxide value, free fatty acid, etc.) on product and raw materials made under FDA and GMP protocols. I managed production line quality audits and self-control documentation review to ensure product met established quality standards. I interfaced with factory operations to maintain quality throughout all phases of manufacturing. I was a key resource for Consumer Affairs to respond to customer inquiries on product quality issues.Key Accomplishments:• Converted paper QA lab data storage and analysis system to electronic using Microsoft Access. This reduced data entry time 17% and data analysis time over 75%.• Assumed 2 manufacturing position duties concurrently while throughput remained constant at full staff levels. All job responsibilities successfully carried out. Result: Survived 40% technician staff reduction for 8 weeks during peak production season.

Senior Scientist (1996-2002)Division Quality Supervisor, Hidden Valley Ranch (1994-1996)Scientist II (1990 – 1994)Scientist I (1987 – 1990)I progressed on the fast track through increasing positions of challenge and responsibility, supporting several product and process development groups from my roles in Corporate Quality Assurance and Analytical Research service departments. Coordinated sample submissions for analysis, performed instrumental and wet chemistry analyses, developed and validated test methods, and trained other analysts and manufacturing plant personnel on new procedures.Key Accomplishments:• Developed uniform validation procedure for all new and existing test methods. Result: Shortened typical product development timelines 7-10%; reduced test method development and training time 20%.• Established initial NLEA nutritional database for Hidden Valley Ranch and KC Masterpiece product lines via both in-house analysis and coordination with outside laboratory services.• Applied chemometric modeling to calculate quantities of colored dye and optical brightener required in samples to install an automatic in-line analyzer. Result: Improved testing efficiency 3600%.While at Hidden Valley Ranch:• Evaluated scientific merit of existing test procedure. Concluded test results were non-repeatable, irrelevant and non-verifiable. Convinced management to abandon procedure. Result: Saved $2,000,000 annually.• Hired and trained 12 temporary lab technicians to properly conduct complex test procedures and evaluate results to support a fast-track product launch. Result: Reduced product development timeline 76%, product launched on time.• Refined and updated the plant HACCP program, revising it from an unwieldy 122 critical control points to a more manageable 25 CCPs. Result: Program more easily and consistently administered, with no violations occurring during my time as administrator.