PRACHI THAKKAR
* ********* ******, ******* *******: 416-***-****
North York, M2M4K8 Email:**********@*****.***
PROFILE STATEMENTAn ambitious, passionate, highly energetic, organized, result oriented Quality Technician who is familiar with Lean Six Sigma and Continuous improvement approach along with sampling techniques, chemical and sensory analysis and have a thorough knowledge of HACCP, SOP,SQF,SSOP and GMP procedures and documentation along with leadership skills .
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
●Demonstrate organizational, analytical and resulted oriented aptitude while performing various chemical analysis
●Complied, verified and interpreted various documents and results obtained after performing AOCC certified methods
●Good judgment and decision making abilities. Moreover, capable of working independently and responsibly.
●Excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as exhibit positive multi-tasking and problem solving approach. Moreover adaptive to busy work environment and have an urge to learn new things
●Laboratory experience in using various instruments such as Refractometer, TDS measuring device, Viscometer, Pipettes, Spectrophotometer,Microscope pH meter, Penetrometer,Centrifuge, Vacuum oven, Weighing machine, Thermometer, Water bath,Autoclave, Brix machine, Chlorine meter
●Trained with the latest HACCP and GMP standards, knowledgeable about ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 standards, Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement. Moreover, certified for HSE&WHMIS
●Exhibit skilled lab work by aseptically performing the tests, precise pipetting, correct disposal of bio-hazardous and non- biohazard materials along with handling of various flammable and toxic chemicals.
●Strong leadership and time management skills; able prioritize assigned task and a team player who can meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
●Experienced and passionate about sensory evaluations, product development, testing and research
●Excellent customer service skills developed due to dynamic and extremely diverse work environment
●Optimistic, motivational and polite approach and ability to work in a multi-cultural work environment
●Highly skilled in Microsoft office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point) and Outlook, Lotus notes and LIMS(Laboratory Information Management System)
●Certified in HACCP,Lean Six Sigma along with Six sigma: Green Belt .Familiar with Kaizen approach, Multitab HPLC,GC and alcolyzer.
EDUCATION
Advanced Diploma in Food Science & Technology
(Distinction in Leadership) Jan 2018 – Dec.2019
Centennial College, Toronto,ON
Bachelors of Science in Zoology (Honours) Jun 2014 – Apr 2017 M.S.University of Baroda,Vadodara(India)
RELATED WORK EXPEREINCE
Quality Control Technician Dec 2019-May 2020
Yaya Foods Corp (Etobicoke)
●Inspecting, documenting, verifying and performing various tasks assigned ranging from pre operation checklist to the finished product palletizing. Moreover, monitoring of CCPs, ensuring the product specification and overall safety and quality of the product as well as package integrity (tetrapack) are met.
●Dealing with a wide range of products from prestigious brands such as Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Monster and much more.
●Verifying wide range of process which covers production, packaging and sanitation.
●Verify daily that traceability coding and product identification has been properly followed as required in all areas such as receiving/ production /shipping
●Accurately recording and checking wide range of products, raw materials (flavours, syrups and sugar) and water (City & R.O) to ensure that they fall within the specifications, if not the case then taking corrective actions in order to solve it. Adhering to Health & Safety policies and procedures of the company.
●Assisted Quality Manager during all internal and external auditing activities, including preparation and corrective actions which involved dealing with excess of paper work
●Performed daily activities such as conducting tests on every batch sample as well as making sure that process parameters are within spec.
●Conducting hourly checks on finish product. Preparing reagents for chemical analysis along with calibration equipment at the start of the shift
●Recording all the holds and rejected slot with detailed reasoning regarding this action. Overall handling excess of paperwork. Documenting Kosher programs as part of customer requirement
●Performing various test for checking pH, Vitamin C, Brix, Acidity, Viscosity, Total solids, TDS and Turbidity, Moreover, calibrating and verifying instruments mentioned above. Verifying all weighing scales located in various departments in order to ensure their proper working
●Ensuring proper functioning of various equipment’s such as different pasteurizers, aseptic tanks, and overall system.
●Performing and recording hourly checks for the finished product in order to ensure the overall food safety, security & quality of the product along with generating correct codes and best before dates.
●Testing and calculating adjustments for the product batch in order to make sure that they fall under the provided specifications.
●Verifying and implemented quality program for chemical, physical, microbiological and sensory parameter
●Verifying and recording various type of CIP’s performed along with the appropriate paperwork .Release areas cleaned during operations ensuring food safety compliance
●Recording microbial counts, Swabbing specified areas of all the machineries used in production after verifying CIP and changeover from allergen to non-allergen product through various chemical tests.
●Checking the production schedule, preparing paperwork for the upcoming product making best before codes for different products according to the specifications. Closing the file after the production is over for the specified product along with a checklist ensuring that all the necessary documents are in the file when auditing takes place.
●Cross Communicate with other departments and collect required documents such as COA/COC,Hold tags, Equipment Monitoring etc.
Lab Technician (Co-op) Sept2018 – Sept. 2019
Bureau Veritas (Maxxam) (Mississauga, Canada).
●Transferred the data from MS Excel to LIMS to get results and checking if they are in the required range
●Performed chemical analysis for determination of fat content in varied products such as meat chocolate, dairy, soft drinks etc. using AOC certified methods namely Monjonner, acid hydrolysis and gravimetric testing (for meat)
●Operated various instruments such as Soxhlet apparatus, siphoning tubes, tumbler, desiccator, water bath, auto clave, fume hood and vacuum oven for fat analysis
●Performed the tests by strictly following the SOP and obtained expected results.
●Calculated the RPD percentage, Fat Percentage and Moisture Percentage of the assigned samples
●Learnt good laboratory practices, result orientated approach, technical lab skills such as basic repair and calibrating balances, pipetting, making reagents as per the required concentration. Weighing samples.
●Maintainied all the documentations and recording in the logbooks, making traceability,noting deviation,receiving and labelling the supplies, barcoding of the samples received
●Assisted Team lead during internal and external auditing, including documentation preparation.
●Ensured that all documentation and traceabilities coincide with submitted copies to the government for audits
●Proficient in doing various test for vitamin B2.Performed microbial assay for vitamin B’s testing.
●Performed ELISA testing for allergen such as soy, milk, nuts and gluten.
●Contributed in SOP development and revision, training requirements
R&D Intern May 2017 - Nov 2017
Global Gourmet,(India)
●Trained in all departments of food industry for example food product development, quality assurance, etc.
●Trained panellist, designed test and collected data from sensory evaluation
●Successfully performed microbial tests for L.Bacillus,E.coli, yeast and mould.
●Supported and collaborated with cross functional teams to resolve the challenges faced by the product as well as provided technical support to the customer on product information and process functions.
●Collaboration with cross-functional teams on implementing new product and processes.
●Successfully completed all work assigned and met the dead lines.
●Performed checks on the finished product for physical hazards by using Metal and X-ray detector.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Shift Supervisor, Cashier and Burrito artist at Fat Bastard Burritos Jan 2018-Oct 2019
Cashier at Loblaws Nov2019-Present
References Available Upon Request