Project Management Quality Assurance

Kevin M. Devine

201-***-**** *********@***.***

linkedin.com/in/kdevine1

Career Summary

• Sensory/Organoleptic Specialist with high attention to detail and a history of working with shelf life and consumer studies (IHUTs, Focus Groups, CLTs, etc.), Design of Experiments, sensory data studies and landscape/white- space analysis.

• Project Management, Process, & Design Specialist who ensures projects remain focused and on schedule, creates processes that meet productions goals, and utilizes technical and scientific expertise to drive production results and achieve business goals.

• Accomplished People Leader who fosters a positive work environment centered around teamwork, continuous learning, creativity, accountability, and collaboration.

• Global Innovation Expert in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry with a global track record of launching fresh and appealing new products, re-designing existing products and packages, while developing creative ways to drive product and brand appeal to reach a wider consumer base and maximize profitability. Projects were based in the US, Mexico, Sweden, England, Canada and Poland amongst others. Key Skills

• Sensory Research

• Project Management

• Regulatory Compliance

• Food & Beverage Innovation

• Team Management

• Plant Based, Dairy, & Natural Foods

• Risk Management & Compliance

• Quality Assurance & Audit Prep.

• Exceptional Attention to Detail

• Good Manufacturing Practices

• Packaging Design & Innovation

• Product Design & Engineering

Experience

Stack Street Coffee Inc. Garnerville, NY

Director of R&D and Quality Aug. 2023 – June 2024

• Quality lead developing and implementing SOPs for manufacturing and business practices

• Developed and implemented new blend/batch systems to ensure traceability

• Sourced new packaging, green coffee suppliers and flavor suppliers

• Lead SQF, Rainforest, Organic and Kosher certifications

• Lead head space gas analysis protocols and shelf-life studies for coffee products recommending and implementing multiple new analytical tools to ensure package integrity and shelf life of product

• Quantified all analytical information to ensure proper, consistent manufacturing adding to consumer expectations Clover Food Consulting LLC New Milford, NJ

Owner/Lead Consultant Oct. 2022 – Present

• SQF, BRC Audit preparation (Achieved >98% score on all) while maintaining and renewing FDA registration of sites

• Designed and executed numerous plant trials and SOPs while maintaining all customer technical portals

• Research and implemented new analytical methods including refractive index and NIR to ensure proper blends of Powdered Beverage products

• Optimized laser scoring system on “Easy Open” packages - researched and sourced new packaging suppliers

• Worked closely with quality sourcing software such as TraceGains New Wave Foods Nyack, NY

Director of Innovation May 2021 – July 2022

• Led a team of food scientists, product developers, and culinary experts in developing new and sustainable plant- based frozen seafood products that appeal to a wide range of consumers

• Partnered with the CEO to identify strategic business and product goals, budgets, and target launch dates

• Oversaw plant trials on new products; ensure products and methodologies add value in local and global markets o Led the product development process including trials, production approvals, and resource release meetings o Qualified new manufacturing locations; launched a breaded version of company’s plant-based shrimp product Devine, Kevin

• Drove innovation by creatively developing new products and fresh ways to use new and existing ingredients

• Led cross functional team meetings to review current and upcoming innovation projects and provide status updates on products, production timelines, challenges, and resolutions; provide status reports to stakeholders

• Bridged the gap between science, product design, commercial need, and business relevance AlterEcho, Inc. Chantilly, VA

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Division Lead 2016 – 2021

• Led the research and development (R&D), quality assurance (QA), and regulatory compliance for multiple CPG companies including Siggi’s Yogurt, Levain Bakery, FrieslandCampina, Coach Farm, Kerrygold Butter, and Jelmar o Oversaw the quality of products including assessing consumer risks; implemented preventative measures

• Managed a team of scientists and regulatory specialists who were developing Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), HACCP, and GMP plans

• Led clients through announced and unannounced FDA and FSVP inspections ensuring fine avoidance and production continuity; served as the dedicated FDA liaison for multiple client brands

• Led the development and commercialization of various innovation initiatives for multiple client brands o Developed new products for Siggi’s Yogurt; guided client as their plant transitioned from handling only dairy products to handling a broader range of dry ingredients and inclusions o Transitioned Levain Bakery from restaurant only to in-store sales

• Resolved issues with quality, customer service, production, and supply constraints o Sourced new ingredients in innovative ways in response to changing consumer preferences o Reviewed customer complaints and feedback; used analytics to improve products and appeal to target market

• Provided compatibility test reports for Jelmar’s cleaning portfolio to maximize the reach of existing products by determining if they could be safely and successfully used in new ways Kraft Foods Tarrytown, NY

Research & Development Manager 1999 – 2015

• Managed domestic and international teams through the development of single use, roast and ground coffee o Led a team of junior scientists and experienced engineers who were responsible for innovation and new product development, package design, and productivity

o Oversaw a team of packaging engineers in the U.S. and Canada who sourced new suppliers, troubleshooted packaging manufacturing challenges, and continually sought out innovative ways to produce packaging

• Oversaw product innovation including experiments, shelf-life studies, and product package interaction o Represented R&D during in-house and off-site consumer testing

• Partnered with sales, QA, manufacturing, and marketing departments in support of new projects and products o Joined sales managers on sales visits with major corporations such as McDonalds, White Hen, Shatz, and Sysco

• Monitored workload distribution; allocated resources to ensure projects remained on schedule and within budget

• Partnered with supply chain teams to innovate, reduce overhead, and ensure cost effective production o Developed new product ideas, ingredients, and sourcing methods

• Launched 12 new product variations totaling $130M in revenue o Managed the team responsible for the lab development and oversaw plant trials and consumer testing

• Guided a team of food scientists through blend reformulations and process variation improvements which resulted in richer and more appealing flavor profiles

o This resulted in a savings of $20M for Kraft while simultaneously reducing consumer complaints Education

Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY

MS - Chemical Engineering, BS - Chemical Engineering. Research results in membrane separations published. Additional Employment

Adjunct Professor of Chemical Engineering, Manhattan College (1997 – 2003) Quality Assurance Process Engineer, Seagram Beverage Company, Inc (1995 – 1999)

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