Quality Assurance Manager

Cynthia Potts

Midlothian, Ill. *****

Mobile: 708-***-**** email: *****.*****@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-potts-70336710b

Continuous Improvement Specialist:

Extensive Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement experience in driving Safety, Quality, Productivity and Sustainability excellence in a Food Manufacturing Environment

Experience

UNILEVER – HELLMANN’S BEST / FOODS MAYONNAISE, CHICAGO, IL

QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST / 2014-2016

Reviewed technician data for compliance to specifications and responded to non-conformances by issuing notification to production, planning, DC and customer quality

Quarantined product in warehouse and DC as required and submitted instructions for additional sampling, testing, rework; dispositioned hold product for release, reconditioning or destruction

Collaborated with maintenance, vendors, packaging technology and R&D to improve process for zero defects

Assigned and coordinated cross functional teams for Root Cause Analysis of each non-conformance incident

Participated in 5W1H, 4M, 5S, HERCA investigations and proposed corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for quality improvement and zero defects

Audited GMP, HAACP, PRPs, OPRPs and CCPs programs for SQF, FSMA and FSSC22000 compliance

TOTAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE - FOCUS IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST / 2008-2013

Translated TPM methodology into actionable and practical strategy for implementation and integration through use of employee coaching, activity boards, visual controls, OPLs and SOPs to meet objectives

Used TPM tools and techniques to eliminate down time, improve safety, production OEE and quality

Gathered data and analyzed current state, developed flow charts and spaghetti diagrams for improvement of line start- ups and change-overs

Partnered with maintenance, engineering, supervision, material handling, sanitation, vendors and shop floor associates to utilize TPM tools of Autonomous Maintenance to identify sources of contamination and hard to access areas for zero defects

Aligned with maintenance and operators to restore equipment to basic conditions and implement changes to sustain improvements and eliminate defects

Worked under primary direction of TPM Maintenance Manager

TRAINING, LEARNING & EDUCATION SPECIALIST / 2004-2007

Supported TPM Pillars in Safety, Health, Environment, Quality and Production improvement projects

Developed Work Instructions, SOP, OPLs and training materials for shop floor

Coordinated scheduling of trainers and student classes and administered aptitude testing for new hire employees

Maintained training records and KPIs for employee training and collaborated with maintenance, vendors, packaging technology and R&D to improve operator competencies

Worked under primary direction of Human Resource Manager

Relevant Experience

CPC INTERNATIONAL / BEST FOODS, CHICAGO, IL

QUALITY CONTROL SUPERVISOR – HELLMANN’S/BEST FOODS MAYONNAISE

Supervised technicians in daily testing of packaging, ingredients, in-process and finished product quality

Developed SOPs for analytical oil, micro and packaging labs

Performed manufacturing plant ingredient and finished product mock recalls, GMP inspections, safety audits, environmental audits and customer complaint investigations and resolutions

Supported the Safety and Environmental Coordinator in hazardous chemical management, waste treatment management, EPA reporting, safety committee administration and training

Developed and supported training for GMP, Pest Control, HACCP, Food Safety and SPC for lab technicians and general plant workforce

Participated as inter-plant auditor for safety and quality improvement of other Best Foods plants

Assigned and coordinated Quality Root Cause Analysis for each non-conformance incident

WALGREEN LABORATORIES, BEDFORD PARK, IL

ASSISTANT MANAGER QUALITY CONTROL – PLASTICS & LABEL DIVISION

Implemented SPC program for quality improvement of injected and blow molded PE and PVC containers and flexographic printed labels

Minimized hazardous chemicals and trained employees in Haz-Com and Right-to-Know

WALGREEN LABORATORIES, CHICAGO, IL

PROCESS VALIDATION COORDINATOR, OTC LIQUIDS, CREAMS & TABLETS

Optimized formulations through mix studies for content uniformity of active ingredients

Observed and audited batch operators for formulation and procedural compliance, potential deviations, protocol excursions and GMP compliance

Validated analytical procedures for precision and accuracy

ANALYTICAL CHEMIST, QC LAB

Performed QC analysis for batch products, customer complaints and stability testing

Adjusted out-of-specification batches for rework

Performed routine analytical analysis of OTC pharmaceuticals for quality control using UV/visible spectroscopy, atomic absorption, GC/HPLC, fluorimeter, IR, dissolution, titration and wet bench techniques

Approved raw materials and finished product for packaging

Serviced laboratory equipment (calibrations, preventive maintenance, etc.)

Education and Certifications

ST. XAVIER UNIVERSITY / Chicago, IL / Biology Chemistry, Bachelor of Arts

APICS (American Production & Inventory Control Society) / Basics of Supply Chain Certification

JIPM TPM (Japanese Institute of Production Management) / Facilitator and Instructor Certification LUMINANCE, INC / Performance Based Training Certification DNV BUSINESS ASSURANCE FOOD SAFETY SYSTEMS / ISO 22000 - FSMA Audit Certification

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