Quality Assurance R D

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

Extensively experienced professional with expertise in Microbiology, Laboratory, Quality Analysis inclusive of Quality Assurance & Quality Control · Expertise in Pharmaceuticals, Biologics & Consumer Goods · Central Sterile State Registered & IAHCSMM Certified · GMP & OSHA trained within the Healthcare & Manufacturing Environments · Expert in Inventory Control & Supply Management · Quality Assurance Trained · Highly Computer Proficient (Microsoft Windows Suite, LIMS, Harvest system, ERM, Softlab) · Demonstrated track record with a consistent history of exemplary performance · Supervisory & Managerial Skills

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

·BS – Environmental Science University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ

·Specialized Training: GMP, OSHA

·International (IAHCSMM) Certification #52838 Sterilization Technician

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Packaging Innovation, Global R&D June 2024 - Current

Pepsico,

Packaging Innovation/Experience

As a crucial part of our R&D team, I am responsible for developing innovative packaging strategies. With a strong focus on sustainability, these strategies are designed to deliver superior consumer experiences, minimize our environmental impact, and drive brand growth. My work will enhance the consumer experience and show empathy for their needs.

As a successful candidate, I will be responsible for developing brand portfolio technical glide paths and guiding project teams with future-fit packaging solutions that meet our business objectives while minimizing our environmental impact and driving brand growth.

My Key Responsibilities are: Develop 3-5-year packaging roadmaps and implement global innovation strategies for benefit-led innovation platforms. I also lead the feasibility of new global packaging technologies that bring new value to the worldwide brand portfolio.

Research and develop innovative sustainable packaging materials and technologies, recycled plastics, renewable feedstocks, and recyclable formats. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders by setting priority workstreams to drive the packaging agenda.

Foster supplier joint-value ecosystem to develop conceptual formats, material feasibility, and product experience differentiation.

Open innovation scouting and technology integration, using the latest trends and foresight in the packaging industry to guide future-fit packaging portfolios.

Explore new formats, propose business models, and promote sustainable innovation that benefits people and the planet to influence brand growth.

Drive holistic packaging development through collaborations with consumer insight teams, design, and new value propositions for brands and consumers.

5+ years of experience in packaging innovation, material design, supplier co-creation, and a consistent track record of bringing new products to market and demonstrating differentiating technologies.

Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and strategically. Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels of the organization.

Extensive working knowledge of packaging materials and technologies, recycled and recyclable content, sustainable packaging practices, the circular economy, lifecycle assessments, sustainability metrics, and environmental impact.

Deep understanding of consumer, business, and brand needs and the relationship to packaging decisions & execution.

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN, Global R&D November 2020 - June 2023

Noor Staffing, Pepsico

·Execute various micro testing for the beverage's current susceptibility to growing microbes to ensure samples are safe & safe for external consumption; required Sample Submission Process for Routine Microbiological Analysis

·Ensure safety and legal due diligence of micro clearances as required for all products intended for external consumption (Consumers, non-R&D personnel, non-PepsiCo employees).

·Monitor finished beverage stability, observing testing for shelf life of beverages in various temperature-controlled rooms; consult with PD regarding samples storage & required schedule for sampling; utilization of pH meters

·Calibrate all laboratory equipment daily; pH standards & storage solution replaced weekly

·Utilize refractometer to measure the Brix of syrups & beverages; used specifically for sparkling coffee syrup & non-carbonated beverages

·Test sample density specification via the Densitometer; although not necessary to test the density of beverages, it is critical to test the density when making acidulants, emulsions & color components

·Batch all mixing ingredients together to create the beverage base; place in Retort or Microthermics/Armfield processing to develop the desired final product

·Execute homogenizing to ensure a homogenous, well-mixed beverage specifically for dairy batches, which must be compressed & pumped out through a homogenizer

·Utilization of Winlims for the registration of samples for micro/ analytical testing

·Perform analytical testing (Omega Lab) for testing specifications such as Brix, pH, TA, specific gravity & various ingredient levels

MICROBIOLOGY TECHNICIAN, Global R&D

Noor Staffing, Pepsico November 2020 – June 2021

·Lead the ongoing operations of the microbiology laboratories to ensure that the laboratories have the equipment & supplies necessary to operate most efficiently for current & future planning

·Organize & schedule the scientific analysis of incoming samples to ensure the laboratory is productive & efficient

·Review & report all analysis results to teams, partnering proactively to ensure results are within requirements & any unexpected deviations are understood for transparency into required next steps

·Provide critical scientific information to assist in the development of new products & expansion of beverage-making goals

·Provide advice to departments within the facility regarding detailed food safety, giving them straightforward & practical advice for avoiding contamination of the facility’s products

·Awareness of familiar sources of contamination to ensure a high level of hygiene to avoid product contamination

·Monitor water management systems to ensure that the water coming into the system is of the highest quality & that it is correctly handled once inside the facility; ensure water management system meets regulatory requirements

·Support business development by providing information to all stakeholders regarding sample management & results; assist the teams in understanding the scientific & regulatory needs

·Ensure the laboratories meet all standard accreditation, including the achievement of various forms of safety, environmental & food safety standards

·Management of data entry for all samples using the WINLIMS system

·Conduct quarterly cleaning of incubators following all SOPs

·Read & interpret all safety documents, rules of operations, maintenance instructions, SOPs

·Prepare daily reports & correspondence within department & company

·Perform water analysis & collect samples for preparation, labeling & shipment to designated laboratory for analysis

·Conduct preventative maintenance & calibrate equipment per established process

·Monitor equipment performance & operation

PATHOLOGY, LAB ASSISTANT August, 2019 – October, 2019

Westchester Medical Group

·Obtains Surgical Pathology specimens from Surgical Suites & deliver them to the laboratory, observing protocols & methods established by the Department of Laboratories, including the accessioning routine for proper identification & processing of such specimens

·Accessions all in-house surgical pathology cases, cytology cases & autopsy cases into the LIS using the proper prefix, making sure that all patient information is correct on the requisitions & the specimen container

·Performs used 10% Buffered Formalin Neutralization & Records Quality Control per section protocol

·Dispose of specimens per section protocol & maintain up-to-date records of specimen disposal

·Assist in submitting surgical tissue specimens—verify patient data against the specimen label, specimen container, and LIS information. Enter block information into Meditech, including the number of cassettes and pieces of tissue per cassette.

·Performs QC of paraffin blocks vs. routine stained slides with documentation on block log

·Performs labeling of surgical slides & distributes slides to assigned pathologists

·Prepare all specimens to be sent to the Reference Labs. Maintain stock inventory of all Reference Laboratory requisitions, supplies, and kits used in the Histology Lab as needed. Follow section protocols for patient’s insurance & LIS documentation

MICROBIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY Laboratory Technician January 2018 – May 2019

Domino Sugar, American Sugar Refining Company, Apex Life Sciences

·Manage all microbiology samples of the following key accounts: Kens Foods, Coca-Cola, Ben & Jerry’s, Friendly ice Cream Corp, Hershey Foods, Kraft Foods, Mars Chocolate, McDonald’s, Nestle Dreyer’s Ice Cream, PepsiCo, Phillip Morris USA, Quaker Oats Company, Sweeteners Plus, Lions Brewery, Y&S Candies.

·In response to Domino’s losing a few significant vital accounts due to higher than acceptable contaminate levels, proactively analyzed & assessed current sterilization processes & identified opportunities to reduce bacterial levels. Specifically, through this exercise, I minimized microbiology levels, specifically in liquid sugar, by over 90%. This aligned with overall liquid sugar SQF (Safe Quality Foods) standards & regulations, which ultimately awarded back a large key account.

·Develop appropriate SOPs and train all responsible departments in the proper industry standard for monitoring incoming sample materials to reduce cross-contamination and lower overall return product rates.

·Lead a unique project to identify foreign materials captured in the shipment filtration system; once identified, research and share an analysis report with Quality Management.

·Identify the lack of proper UV monitoring within liquid sugar processing. Through thoughtful and careful analysis, identify optimum levels through scheduled testing at various levels (20%—50 %—80%) to reset to optimal UV processing.

·Proactively test transportation trailers by microsampling wash, steam, and rinse waters to prepare them to accept sugar product shipments.

·Provide oversight to all equipment in the QA/QC Laboratory and process Laboratory; perform routine bench testing using automated and manual techniques, including refractometer, pH meter, polarimeter, densitometer, spectrophotometer, and auto sieves.

·Conduct air sampling for ambient & compressed air using the Biotest RCS High Flow Touch centrifugal air sampler to monitor viable counts within the food manufacturing & packaging area

·GMP Monitoring of all water supply for Microbiology and quality, performing daily systemic checks and preventative maintenance for all in-line water filters as required to confirm the quality of wash and efficiency of water filters.

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