Quality Assurance Management

Curriculum Vitae

A highly motivated management professional, currently studying for an MBA, and with over 20 years experience in

food research & development, food and non food technical and quality assurance, gained in retail and

manufacturing environments.

Strong managerial background with senior level / international experience and cross sector exposure. Respected

for the ability to establish strong working relationships with peers, subordinates and top management.

A strategic thinker, practical and hands on who never loses sight of the objectives to succeed in realising the

vision. A driving force in project management with strong planning, organisational, leadership and communication

skills. Totally focussed with a consistent track record of successfully delivering change management and

continuous improvement programmes.

Offering an enthusiastic and analytical approach, a strong multi disciplined technical background with a well

developed commercial knowledge. I am confident in my abilities to accomplish goals and impress that confidence

to others whilst being a highly effective and personable leader who exceeds expectations at every turn.

• Able to lead, motivate and develop a diverse group of highly skilled people.

• Building and maintaining strong and effective relationships with peers, superiors and executives.

• Understanding all legal, regulatory, information security and compliance requirements.

• Experienced team leader with the ability to initiate & manage cross functional teams and multi-disciplinary

projects.

• Critical thinking, decision-making and problem solving skills.

• Ability to shape, produce and deliver product management plans.

Metro AG, Dusseldorf, Germany

• Established global QA systems and training strategy including customer focussed quality initiatives.

• Implemented a global quality management system and standards( based on ISO 9001) for all sales lines

including auditing programme. Gained certification of remote in house broker operations.

• Implemented global IT product based lifecycle management system.

• Technical standards for supplier qualification, own brand product development, product category specific

standards, supplier standards, store / logistics operations

• Established management reporting tools to executives.

• Participated in external working groups / committees responsible for the publication of PAS 221, PAS 420

and GFSI recognition of GlobalGap.

Metro Cash and Carry International, UK( part of Metro AG, Dusseldorf, Germany )

• Recognised as best practice country by Metro AG for quality management systems and approach.

• Store auditing methodology implemented leading to improvements in site hygiene standards.

• Implementation of two IT based systems for product lifecycle management and product risk assessment /

management.

• Sensory evaluation facility and customer based feedback processes established.

• Own label development strategy, process implementation and project management.

Tangerine Confectionery Ltd, Blackpool, UK ( previously Toms UK a subsidiary of Toms Gruppen, Denmark )

Established highly effective centralised system for management of technical systems and processes,

including recipe management system. Cross site and group auditing programme. Managed due diligence

programme.

Built strong working relationships with major retail customers.

Implemented a re-focus of quality throughout the business with consequential reduction in complaints and

strengthened customer credibility.

Facilitated achievement of BRC higher level. HACCP certification and approval to supply organic product

range.

Implemented total technical / quality management system throughout group.

Fletchers Bakeries Ltd, Sheffield, UK

• Improved hygiene standards through new ways of working, training and management focus. Higher level

BRC achieved.

• Supported the development of various brand and own brand product ranges using new technologies.

• Implemented organisational changes for streamlining of group and site technical functions

The Glisten Company Ltd, Blackburn, UK

Implemented IT system to support technical decision making, recipe management and risk assessment.

Improved factory hygiene standards through training and auditing. Developed company hygiene training

programme and colleague based hygiene monitoring audits. Implemented standards to achieve and

maintain BRC higher level.

Northern Foods PLC - Park Cake Bakeries, Oldham, UK

Launch of chilled low fat dessert range – weekly sales £150k. Development of technical partnership with

major raw material suppliers to advance supply and manufacturing knowledge – closer working

relationships with suppliers.

Conceptual development, research, application and launch of moisture barrier system to prolong product

shelf life – suggested as most significant technical achievement by a Marks & Spencer supplier in last 5

years.

The Boots Company PLC – Farley Health Products Ltd, Mint Bridge Road, Kendal, Cumbria, UK

Development of twenty five Farley and Boots brand infant cereals.

Plant commissioning and product development.

Head of Quality Systems and Training ( Director )

Oct 2011 - Current

Metro AG, Dusseldorf, Germany

Responsible for entire QA internal standards, Customer response and Compliance. Leader of Group QA council.

Development and maintenance of Group quality management system including supplier audit standards, risk

assessment methodology and internal / country auditing processes. Development of Group technical standards for

implementation within country quality management systems. Process mapping and development.

Head of Quality Assurance Sept 09 –

Oct 11

Metro Cash and Carry International, UK( part of Metro AG, Dusseldorf, Germany )

Responsible for 12 reports – Technical ( food and non food), Quality Assurance, Product development.

Development and implementation of company strategy/policy for technical and quality assurance – food, non food

and HPC Implementation of country technical and quality assurance initiatives. Own label product development.

Supplier assessments.

Technical Manager 2007 –

Sept 09

Fletchers Bakeries Ltd, Sheffield

Responsible for 40 reports – Group Technical, Technical, QA, Hygiene, Process Development. Company point of

contact for customer technical teams to drive change and implement site initiatives. Management of group

technical ( site), site technical, quality assurance and hygiene disciplines. Customer meetings / presentations

attended regularly. Development and implementation of strategic technical initiatives. Lead for all site technical

assessments. Actively involved with operations team to resolve production / processing issues. Senior member of

business unit team and involved with future planning and strategy. HACCP team leader.

Group Technical Manager 2004 –

2007 Tangerine Confectionery Ltd, Blackpool, UK ( previously Toms UK a subsidiary of Toms Gruppen, Denmark )

Responsible for 43 direct/indirect reports – Technical, QA, Hygiene, NPD; 4 manufacturing plants (approx. 40,000t

p/a). Implementation of company strategy/policy for technical and NPD. Support the implementation of site level

technical initiatives. Management of Group technical, Quality Assurance and NPD department – responsible for

customer technical documentation, complaints, launch plan, recipe management.

Technical Manager – Blackpool Site 2001 -

2004

As above

Responsible for 12 direct reports – Technical, QA, Hygiene, Customer sample preparation. Technical contact for all

customers. Management of audits and info requests. Maintenance of technical and quality standards. KPI

reporting. Customer technical meetings and presentations. Lead for all site technical and quality assurance

inspections. Consultant technical manager for Bristow’s of Devon Ltd.

Technical Manager 1999 -

2001

The Glisten Company Ltd, Blackburn, UK

Responsible for 7 technical, QA, sample preparation and NPD staff. Company technical and food safety expert,

responsible for product lifecycle management, ensuring that brand and retailer own brand products handled on

site meet quality, safety and legality requirements, produced under an effective due diligence and ISO9001 quality

management system.

Assistant Technical Manager 1997 -

1999

Northern Foods PLC - Park Cake Bakeries, Oldham, UK

Main point of technical contact for customers and supporting operational and organisational requirements for

technical information. Responsible for concept to launch of blue sky technical projects. Development and

maintenance of business relationships with key customers.

Food Technologist –

Grocery, Desserts, Further Processed Poultry, Frozen Pizza & Pastry

1995 - 1997

Iceland Frozen Foods PLC, Deeside, UK

Responsible for sourcing, selection and launch of own brand products, including audit and risk assessment of

products, producers and suppliers (including agent, brokers ), compliance and commercial support. Technical and

quality specification development.

Monitoring of suppliers and standards for technical and quality. Development of risk assessment methodology

including product and supplier compliance with company requirements. Auditing of manufacturing sites and

processes.

Technical Services Supervisor 1993 -

1995

As above

Responsible for the company due diligence system. Management and implementation of all technical systems and

procedures to assist company in satisfying due diligence defence – specifications, supplier audits etc. Company

contact for enforcement authorities. Implementation of legislation requirements. Approval of all own brand

artwork.

Food Scientist 1989 -

1993

The Boots Company PLC – Farley Health Products Ltd, Mint Bridge Road, Kendal, Cumbria

Total project management of branded and own label baby food and dietetic products. Compilation of process and

technical documentation. Management of factory and pilot plant trials. Project management with supplier and

ingredient selection through commercial and technical merit. Management of special projects.

Currently studying - MBA ( Robert Kennedy College, Zurich), BSI Diploma in Quality management ( BSI, UK )

MSc Food Safety Management

BSc Chemistry

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Chemistry

GCE A Level Human Biology, Chemistry, Home Economics, Mathematics

GCE O Level Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Chemistry, Home Economics, Physics

GCSE Computer Studies, Biology

ISO 9000 Lead Assessor

IEHO Advanced Food Hygiene

GFSI benchmarking committee

GFSI working group member – Global markets Primary production, Broker and Agents, Retail and Wholesale

BSI technical working group – PAS 221, PAS 420

IFST, SOFHT - member

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