Mark S. Sottana

*** ***** **** ***

Vallejo, CA *4591

707-***-****

qr49lm@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE: OPERATIONS/PLANT MANAGEMENT

Food Manufacturing and Distribution

PROFILE:

Extensive background in virtually all applications of food manufacturing operations, with hands-on

responsibilities in customer driven, team environments.

Wide range of experience with capital projects. Extensive contract negotiation experience.

Skilled in facilitation and problem resolution. Highly noted for the grooming of all

direct reports, which also lead to their promotions. Extensive experience

in communicating with state and federal regulators in the auditing of food production

facilities. Many years of experience with cost budgeting. Superior ratings on four

consecutive AIB audits. Experience in 5-S and LEAN Manufacturing. Extensive experience

with FDA, kosher, and organic foods. Experience in third party audits.

EMPLOYMENT:

Consultant 2011- Present

Consulted for an organic dairy farmer. Bought and installed all equipment for butter processing

plant. Installed CIP system, separator, HTST, butter wrapping equipment, etc.

Straus Family Creamery, Petaluma, CA 2007-2010

VP of Operations (Organic Dairy Products)

Total responsibility for all company operations. Six reports, Dir. of Maintenance, Dir. of R&D,

QA Manager, Shipping Manager, Dir. Of Production, and Purchasing & Warehousing Manager

.

Budgeted for all capital improvements, operations, and long term goals. Involved in five year

strategic plans to expand the business. Took Company from near bankruptcy to making a profit

within one year. Year over year profits continue to grow.

Designed, started and completed several capital projects which made the facility more efficient and profitable. Negotiated contracts for building, raw products, packaging, and equipment leases.

Reduced staff and labor by 12% to make Company much more profitable.

Renegotiated all vendor pricing. Pursued several vendor credits to improve accounts payables.

Worked on a five year plan to build and relocate to a new production facility.

Installed two new yogurt processors, CIP system, yogurt packaging machine, separator, and homogenizer.

Johnson Diversey Inc., Sharonville, OH 2006-2007

Account Manager (home based)

Maintained all current accounts. Pursued and attained several highly visible new business opportunities. Expanded total sales and volume. Grew account 28% year over year. Highly recognized for great customer service, with accounts such as Ocean Spray, Gallo, and Crystal Geyser. Conducted audits with Saputo Cheese, Humboldt Creamery, Sorrento Cheese, and other

dairy processing facilities.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, San Leandro, CA 2002 - 2006

Bindler Area Manager

Reduced overtime costs by 12% by increasing efficiencies and making personnel responsible.

Six direct reports, including three supervisors and three team leads.

Managed all aspects of the maintenance of two bindler (production) rooms, which

included the moulding/demoulding of chocolate squares, wrapping, packaging in

various bag sizes and shipping.

Made yearly budgets for all aspects, including the recommendation of new equipment.

Made major changes in equipment maintenance and personnel, and as a result was able to

consistently set new production goals/records. Increased productivity/efficiency

20% over prior year standards.

Safeway Stores, Inc., San Leandro, CA 1999-2001

Milk Plant Supervisor

Managed all aspects of plant supervision, including safety, discipline, production goals/

efficiencies, quality control and shipping. Set new production standards thru teamwork.

Red Star Yeast & Products, Inc., Oakland, CA 1997-1999

Plant Superintendent

Managed all aspects of plant management,including personnel decisions and long term

remodeling goals for this 120 year old facility. Took over engineering/maintenance

responsibilities while the plant engineer was absent.

Foster Farms Dairy Plant, Modesto, CA 1995-1997

Production Manager

Managed all aspects of this state-of-the-art multi-million dollar fluid milk processing

facility. Worked closely with project engineers to get all processing and packaging

equipment up to objectives.

Lucky Stores, Inc., Milk Plant, San Leandro, CA 1977-1995

Plant Superintendent

Worked from the ground up learning this facility, in turn making this facility one of the most

efficient fluid milk plants in the country. Cut inventory costs by 25% using the JIT process.

Developed and promoted several line supervisors. Negotiated union contracts that were fair and consistent for both parties. Negotiated purchased product contracts. Highly noted for treating all subordinates in a fair and consistent manner.

EDUCATION:

Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA

B.S. Dairy Science/Dairy Manufacturing

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