Quality Assurance & Lab Compliance Professional
Resume:
RUTH WANGARI KARINGITHI
Quality Assurance / Quality Management Professional
*************@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results-driven Quality Assurance professional with over five years of experience across food manufacturing, laboratory quality systems, and food safety operations. Strong background in Quality Management Systems implementation, ISO 17025:2017 compliance, HACCP, and regulatory adherence (KEBS). Proven ability to manage quality activities across the value chain—from raw material receipt to finished product release—while driving continuous improvement, risk management, and compliance. Demonstrated leadership in training, audits, customer complaint investigations, and cross-functional collaboration in high-performance manufacturing environments.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Quality Management Systems (QMS)
ISO 17025:2017 Compliance & Internal Audits
HACCP & Food Safety Systems
Raw Material, In-Process & Finished Goods Quality Control
Product Release & Specification Compliance
Regulatory Compliance (KEBS)
Aflatoxin & Physico-Chemical Analysis (ELISA)
Root Cause Analysis & CAPA
SOP Development & Documentation Control
Equipment Calibration & Laboratory Management
Staff Training & Quality Culture Development
Data Integrity, Traceability & Reporting
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Kitchen Manager – Food Production and Quality
Food for Education May 2025 – Present
Implementation and enforcement of food safety, hygiene, and quality SOPs within a high-volume production kitchen.
Monitor sanitation practices, temperature controls, and cross-contamination prevention throughout the production process.
Participate in daily operational checks to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
Documentation of quality and hygiene records to ensure traceability and accountability.
Collaborate with kitchen teams and management to strengthen operational efficiency and quality awareness.
People management, and operational decision-making skills.
Lead Laboratory Analyst
Pembe Flour Mills Ltd. Oct 2021 – Apr 2025
Conducted routine physico-chemical testing of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products, including moisture analysis and ELISA-based aflatoxin testing.
Reviewed and validated analytical results to support raw material, packaging, and finished product release decisions in line with specification requirements.
Performed in-process quality monitoring to ensure consistency and compliance during production.
Development, implementation, and maintenance of ISO 17025:2017 laboratory Quality Management Systems, including SOPs, work instructions, and document control.
Maintained accurate, traceable laboratory records and supported internal and external audits.
Investigated non-conformities, conducted root cause analysis, and implemented corrective and preventive actions.
Prepared technical reports, batch quality summaries, and customer complaint investigation reports.
Coordinated equipment calibration, maintenance, and laboratory inventory management.
Trained interns on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), hygiene standards, and laboratory safety procedures.
Active member of the HACCP team, supporting CCP monitoring and food safety risk assessments.
Quality Assurance Manager
Black Bee Food and Drinks, Mombasa Jan 2021 – Jul 2021
Led quality inspection and control activities for food and beverage production operations.
Implemented and enforced FIFO stock management to ensure product traceability and shelf-life compliance.
Conducted staff training on food safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and HACCP protocols across production and storage areas.
Supported management in quality planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
Food Production Intern
Malindi Sub-County Hospital Jan 2020 – Oct 2020
Supported microbial testing and food safety assessments for hospital meal production.
Monitored kitchen operations for compliance with hygiene, safety, and nutrition guidelines.
Assisted in implementing corrective action programs following food safety audits.
Nutritionist Intern
Lea Toto Program May 2019 – Aug 2019
Managed receipt and distribution of food rations while maintaining accurate stock and traceability records.
Collaborated with community health workers to identify and enroll vulnerable beneficiaries.
Prepared quarterly reports on resource utilization and program impact.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Kenyatta University 2019
Second Class Honors (Upper Division)
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
Alliance Girls High School 2013
Grade A-
CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Introduction to Food Safety and Risk Assessment – ILRI & Royal Veterinary College (Aug 2025)
ISO 17025:2017 Internal Auditor – SGS Academy (Nov 2024)
ISO 17025:2017 Laboratory Management Systems – SGS Academy (Nov 2024)
HACCP Food Safety Implementation – Top Quest (Oct 2024)
ELISA Aflatoxin Testing – Sorella Scientifics EA Ltd (Sep 2021)
Africa Grains Training Program – Bühler & eProd (Jul 2022)
Cereals & Pulses Grading – KEBS (Sep 2023)
McKinsey Forward Program – Soft & Digital Skills (Jul 2024)
APTECA – Aflatoxin Proficiency Testing and Control in Africa
REFERENCES
Joseph Mwangi Chief Miller, Pembe Flour Mills 074*******
Clement Macharia QA Manager, Mini Bakeries Mombasa 070*******
Mgalla Mvurya Sub-county Nutritionist, Bamba Sub-County 073*******
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