Dennis W. Armstrong
Hastings, MI 49058
**************@*****.***
OBJECTIVE
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I am seeking an opportunity to continue my career as an operator or supervisor in a production/manufacturing facility. I have over 30 years experience in production/manufacturing, especially in the food industry, having spent 20 years in Quality Assurance and 15 years as a front line supervisor. I have successfully supervised all aspects of cereal production in a strong union environment overseeing processing, packaging, maintenance and warehouse personnel, and have no doubt that I can apply those experiences to most any type of manufacturing/production facility as a supervisor or manager.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
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I have extensive experience in food/cereal production and the supervision of all personnel involved in those endeavors. I have been involved in the quality aspect of the business for 20 years and have also been charged with pesticide application within the facilities. I am self directed having been the lone supervisor on 3rd shift for a number of years successfully overseeing all production and maintenance personnel on a 7 day a week schedule with up to 50 employees reporting directly to me. As a quality analyst I was responsible for complete analysis of RTE cereal products, both in-process and finished product, including vitamins, sugars, proteins, fats fibers, moistures and purities, as well as finished product packaging quality and proper coding of cartons and containers. I was also charged with analysis of all incoming grains (wheat, corn, rice, bran) and liquid ingredients (sugar, malt and molasses). I was one of two licensed pesticide applicators and was responsible for application of pesticides in all areas of the production facility. During those years I was also expected to administer first-aid as a first responder.
As a supervisor I was responsible for all aspects of production, maintenance and warehousing on my shift. I was also expected to uphold all GMP standards, conduct regular safety meetings with shift employees and counsel/discipline employees as necessary. I have considerable experience with HACCP (metal detectors, in-process evaluations), and have been involved in preparing for and participating in several AIB and SQF inspections, and have been certified for pesticide application.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
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Quality analyst / Production Supervisor, 02/1978 – 04/2012
Ralston Foods, Battle Creek, MI
Employed as lab technician from 1978 to 1998. Duties included quality assurance testing of cereal products, both in-process and finished product. Testing involved vitamin application, proteins, sugar analysis, fiber determination, packaging inspection, as well as inspection of incoming grains to determine proper attributes as assigned to each of the various grains and/or liquid ingredients. 1998 - 2012 -- Assumed duties of production supervisor on back shift and was responsible for all production, maintenance, and warehousing during many of those years, with anywhere from 20 to 50 employees reporting to me. I was also expected to enforce all GMP standards, conduct monthly safety meetings, and counsel/discipline employees as needed. I received several accolades for having the most productive shift during those years while working in a strong union environment while maintaining a good relationship with union employees.
EDUCATION
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Bachelor of Arts - Chemistry
Taylor University, IN
CERTIFICATES / LICENSES
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Pesticide Applicator State of Michigan, MI
CQT Certified
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
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I have coached baseball, basketball and football for over 30 years. I sat on the board of Hastings Youth Athletic Assoc. for 10 years while coaching during that time. I was on the Deacon Board of Cedar Creek Bible Church for over 25 years serving as Secretary, Financial Secretary and Chairman during those years. I taught young people and adults during those years, and was in charge of various youth organizations in the church. I am presently involved as a leader in a 4H club. I also run a small cow/calf operation selling free range, grass fed angus cattle.