VICTORIA MERLOS

Stockton, CA *****

209-***-****

ad0w3k@r.postjobfree.com

mailto:ad0w3k@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE:

I am seeking a position in the Food Industry, with a company that will utilize my previous experience and skills, to meet business objectives and support commitment to customer specifications, product development and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

SQF Certified

HACCP Certified

PCQI Certified

R&D hands on

Certified Quality Systems Auditor

Bachelor’s degree - Agronomy (UNAM) Mexico University Graduated May 1994

Third Party Auditing for contracted Co-Packers and manufacturers

Lab experience, calibrations and lab equipment troubleshooting.

USDA, FDA, Experience.

Better Process Control Certified.

EXPERIENCE:

Fresh Innovations California LLC Oct 2018 to Present

Responsible for 22 Quality assurance technicians (includes 2 supervisors)

Responsible for maintaining FSQA programs including Organic and Kosher

Maintain the Food Safety programs

Weekly KPI reports

Responsible for updating and maintaining the regulatory certifications, Licenses and Permits

Responsible for conducting third party audits, i.e. FDA, USDA, DOD, Fire Department, and Customer Audits

Support customer/consumer complaints

Stanislaus Food Products

Food Safety/Quality Assurance Manager May 2013 to Oct 2018

Responsible for 150 technicians during season (Tomato)

Managed the micro environmental program.

Monitor and support the food safety, quality and regulatory programs.

Managed the lab to ensure that all finished products met specification.

Managed customer complaints and responses, communicating to customers and issuing credits.

New Star Fresh Foods February 2011 to February 2013

Quality Assurance Manager

Responsible for QA Management as well as updating and maintaining HACCP program.

Responsible for 35 direct reports. (18 per shift plus 3 supervisors)

Manage all holds, dumps and donations.

Design and implemented quality processes and procedures to ensure product compliance to customer specifications.

Assist R&D with the evaluation of product specifications and determined compatibility with process capabilities.

Monitor and reported on key quality measures throughout the facility.

Manage the Sanitation team and helped develop a system to reduce waste in chemicals and better usage

Support readiness and execution of third-party audits and related activities.

Work with production department to insure implementation of quality and Food Safety programs, procedures, and systems are being followed as well as implemented.

Responsible for the Pest Control program effective.

Patterson Vegetable Co. January 2010 to November 2010

Food Safety Manager (QA Manager)

Responsible for all aspects of QA program with 22 direct reports.

Developed the HACCP program

Responsible for the training program

Responsible for the raw material inspectors

Managed the Sanitation team and helped develop a system to reduce waste in chemicals and better usage

Implementation and Monitoring of all Quality-related Programs.

Support readiness and execution of third-party audits and related activities.

Responsible for the ordering of all the departments’ supplies and assigning each cost to the correct budget account

Provide oversight of all Micro-biological testing procedures, train and monitor these tasks (proper swabbing procedures, sample collection, and preparing and submitting samples to external laboratories and other service, providers monitor computer-based on-line reports, and trend analysis)

Work with production department to insure implementation of quality and Food Safety programs, procedures, and systems are being followed as well as implemented.

Provide oversight of all Micro-biological testing procedures, train and monitor these tasks (proper swabbing procedures, sample collection, and preparing and submitting samples to external laboratories and other service, providers monitor computer-based on-line reports, and trend analysis)

Responsible for updating and maintaining the Pest Control program effective.

Taylor Farms Pacific May 2005 to December 2009

Product Integrity / QA Manager

Responsible for updating, maintaining, and implementing the Quality Assurance program.

Responsible for up to 25 direct reports.

Managed the Test and Hold program for various customers. ( That included pathogen testing)

Raw materials inspections, ensured that the raw materials Inspectors received material that met customer specifications.

Manage the Department’s Shelf-life/Retention Program, including documentation, trend analysis, and timely reporting on failings, observations and recommendations.

Monitored and reported KPI’s per customer specification.

Wrote Guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Including but not limited to: Quality Control.

Manage HOLD area, and responsible for Dumps and Donations to ensure that proper procedures, Regulatory Compliance, and Company policies are being followed.

Work with production department and training to improve and reduce waist and substandard finished product also minimizing the quantity of dumps.

Work with production department to insure implementation of quality and Food Safety programs, procedures, and systems are being followed as well as implemented.

Support development of new Quality-related procedures and the continuous improvement of all Quality and Food Safety programs, and systems.

Support readiness and execution of third-party audits and related activities.

Responsible for updating and maintaining the Pest Control program effective.

California Fruit & Tomato Kitchens June 2004 to September 2005

Senior Micro-Technician (Seasonal)

Thermal Processing

Ensured that all products met customer Quality specification from PH, TA, NTSS, Viscosity, Color, Texture and Specs, Howard mold count and worm and egg insect extractions.

Proficient in laboratory SOP’s, calibration and trouble shooting of laboratory equipment.

Howard Mold Certified.

Support Developmental Projects as needed and all other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

Responsible for ensuring that the CCP’s, are being monitored accurately.

O.G. Packing April 1990 to June 2004

Raw Materials Inspector Supervisor (Seasonal)

Responsible for the receiving team, to ensure that the Quality of incoming raw materials were designated and tagged correctly.

Ensured that FIFO was followed.

Quality Assured Packing May 1991 to October 2000

Quality Supervisor Assistant (Seasonal)

Thermal Processing.

Ensured that all products met customer Quality specification from PH, TA, NTSS, Viscosity, Color, Texture and Specs, Howard mold count and worm and egg insect extractions.

Responsible for validating and releasing HOLDS.

Proficient in laboratory SOP’s, calibration and trouble shooting of laboratory equipment.

Howard Mold Certified.

Support Developmental Projects as needed and all other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

Organized product cuttings per customer specifications.

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