Project Management Quality Assurance

Theresa Austin

Dynamic Professional Skilled in Client Solutions, Project Management, and Cross-Functional Team Leadership 1320 Hearn Hill Road, Watertown, US, 37184, 615-***-****, ***********@******.*** Professional summary

Customer Solutions Manager with over 10 years of experience adept at leading cross-functional teams to elevate service quality and client satisfaction within the food production sector. Demonstrates expertise in project management and process improvement, leveraging data-driven strategies to optimize operations and enhance customer solutions. Committed to fostering innovation and collaboration, with a proven ability to build strong community partnerships and achieve strategic objectives. Employment history

Customer Solutions Manager, Jan 2006 - Jan 2025

Taylor Farms Tennessee, Smyrna, TN

Purchasing Procurement Buyer, 2004 - 2005

Taylor Farms Tennessee, Smyrna, TN

• Responsible for sourcing and negotiating the procurement of raw produce to support production needs

• Developed and maintained strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, pricing to secure the best quality products at competitive prices

• Managed inventory levels, ensuring that stock levels met production demands while minimizing waste and excess inventory

• Implemented cost control measures, optimizing purchasing strategies to reduce costs while maintaining product quality

• Worked closely with production and quality assurance teams to understand their needs and ensure that procurement aligned with production schedules and quality standards

Lead teams enhancing service quality and boosting client relationships in Tennessee and Kentucky, managing over 350 accounts, showcasing Team Leadership, Customer Engagement, and Operations Management skills. Managed a diverse portfolio of accounts, including Walmart, Publix, Sysco, Kroger, Amazon, and Target, demonstrating Relationship Building and Client Retention expertise. Implemented data-driven improvements, optimizing processes and reporting accuracy through strong Operations Management and Data Analysis capabilities.

Built partnerships with nonprofits, aligning company goals with community initiatives, reflecting Community Outreach and Cross-Functional Collaboration skills.

Streamlined order workflows, improving delivery accuracy and client satisfaction, illustrating Operational Efficiency and Process Improvement.

Coordinated cross-functional teams to enhance workflows, achieving improved delivery accuracy and stronger client relationships, emphasizing Team Development and Team Motivation. Analyzed client feedback and operational metrics, enabling strategic adjustments that significantly strengthened relationships with major accounts, showcasing Conflict Resolution and Customer Solutions expertise. Fostered a collaborative team environment, empowering members to embrace shared problem-solving and achieve service excellence, demonstrating strong Team Building and Conflict Resolution skills. Quality Assurance Supervisor, 1996 - 2004

Taylor Farms Tennessee, Smyrna, TN

• Ensured that all products met the highest quality and safety standards

• Implemented and managed quality control processes, conducted regular audits, and provided training to staff on best practices in quality assurance and food safety

• Developed expertise in industry quality control standards and practices, ensuring compliance with local and federal regulations

• Conducted comprehensive food safety training programs for staff, covering topics such as proper food handling, sanitation, and allergen management

• Identified areas for process improvement and implemented corrective actions to enhance product quality and operational efficiency

Education

Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies - Focus in Applied Leadership, 2022 - 2025 Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro

Graduated Cum Laude

• Utilized data analysis tools to track purchasing trends, supplier performance, and inventory turnover rates, making data-driven decisions to enhance procurement processesOrchestrated strategic inventory management protocols, balancing production demands with stock levels to minimize waste and maintain operational efficiency Fostered cross-functional collaboration between procurement, production, and quality teams to align purchasing decisions with operational requirements

Sourced and negotiated raw produce procurement, achieving substantial savings while ensuring quality standards were consistently met.

Implemented advanced inventory management systems, significantly reducing waste and optimizing stock levels to meet production needs.

Fostered strong relationships with suppliers, facilitating seamless communication that ensured timely deliveries and enhanced product quality.

Utilized data analysis tools to monitor purchasing trends, leading to informed decisions that improved supplier performance and inventory turnover.

Developed cross-functional partnerships with production and quality teams, ensuring procurement aligned with operational requirements and schedules.

Utilized data analysis tools to track purchasing trends, enhancing decision-making and improving supplier performance.

• Collaborated with production, logistics, and customer service teams to address quality concerns and improve overall service deliveryStreamlined food safety protocols and quality control measures across production units, ensuring regulatory compliance while maintaining rigorous product standards

Spearheaded comprehensive quality assurance initiatives, reducing defect rates through systematic monitoring and process optimization

Orchestrated cross-functional quality improvement projects, bridging gaps between production teams and enhancing operational workflow efficiency

Developed and implemented robust documentation systems for quality metrics, strengthening accountability in food safety procedures

Fostered strong partnerships with production and logistics teams, facilitating swift resolutions to quality issues and improving service delivery.

Fostered teamwork among departments to streamline project workflows, enhancing communication and ensuring timely delivery of key initiatives.

Maintained comprehensive project documentation, guaranteeing compliance with industry standards and facilitating smooth audits.

Developed training modules for staff, resulting in measurable improvements in employee performance and increased job satisfaction.

Analyzed customer feedback to identify service gaps, implementing solutions that strengthened client loyalty and improved satisfaction rates.

Cultivated a collaborative environment, encouraging open dialogue that fostered stronger interdepartmental relationships and enhanced project outcomes.

Designed and executed a feedback loop system, enabling real-time adjustments to client services and significantly boosting customer retention rates.

Skills

Customer Solutions (Expert), Team Leadership (Experienced), Operations Management (Skillful), Quality Assurance (Experienced), Project Management, Microsoft 365 (Experienced), Kronos (Experienced), Citrix (Experienced), Procurement (Skillful), Inventory Management (Skillful), Food Safety (Skillful), Process Improvement (Skillful), Data Analysis (Beginner), Community Outreach (Skillful), Relationship Building (Experienced), Operational Efficiency (Skillful), Cross-Functional Collaboration (Experienced), Customer Engagement (Experienced), Team Development (Experienced), Team Motivation (Experienced), Client Retention (Experienced), Conflict Resolution, Time Management, Customer Retention, Team Building, Conflict Resolution (Skillful).

References

Charlie Duffey, Taylor Farms Tennessee (*******@***********.***, +1-615-***-****), Jon Matthews, Taylor Farms Tennessee (*********@***********.***, +1-615-***-****), Lynn Irvin, Taylor Farms Tennessee (******@***********.***, +1-615-***-****). Additional information

Community Involvement

Active participation in Rotary International, YMCA, Second Harvest Food Bank. Involved in leadership committees, fundraising, and event planning to support the local community

Custom section

Certificates, Middle Tennesse State University

Leading Teams Certificate

Leading People Certificate

Leadership Theories and Practices

Hobbies

Have a passion for traveling, hiking and community service

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