AKSHARA PRAKASH
Etobicoke,Canada
Summary
Experienced Quality Assurance and Food Safety Professional with over 8 years of hands-on experience in the food manufacturing and processing industry. Proven expertise in developing, implementing, and maintaining QA programs in compliance with CFIA, FDA, SQF, HACCP, GFSI, and other regulatory standards. Skilled in leading audits, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure consistent product quality and safety. Adept at cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Operations, and Production teams to support new product development and operational efficiency. Recognized for strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and commitment to upholding the highest standards of food safety and regulatory compliance.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
QA & Operations Assistant
Buchanan Global Ingredients
04.2025 - 09.2025
- Collaborated with R&D on various projects, including product development, sensory evaluation, and customer presentation
- Conducts internal audit and maintain sur program and meet customer request.
- Coordinate logistics and warehouse requirements in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Maintain compliance with current food safety standards and updated regulatory requirements.
- Review and approve COAs and ensure accurate maintenance of QA documentations.
QA/SQF Practitioner
Canterbury Coffee Corporation
08.2021 - 03.2025
- Lead government regulatory and third-party audits, including CFIA, SQF, Organic, Fair Trade, Halal, Kosher, Rainforest Alliance, and customer audits.
- Maintain comprehensive QC documentation and provide summary analyses to key account customers as needed.
- Train plant staff on quality standards and perform in-process quality checks on the production floor.
- Assist in resolving plant operational issues related to quality and food safety.
- Provide backup support for the Production Manager during absences or as required.
QA Supervisor
Signature Culinary Solutions
09.2020 - 08.2021
- Collaborated with CFIA on regulatory inspections,compliance of tasks and follow up actions.
- Conducted process validation and verification, microbiological testing and mock recall exercise.
- Supervised QA team and daily oversees daily quality operations
- Responsible for training staff in job duties, safety procedures and company policy.
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Signature culinary solutions
04.2020 - 08.2020
- Monitored CCPs, GMPs, HACCP and PRP compliances during production.
- Performed PreOps and Sampling for CFIA Compliance
- Conducted root cause analysis and implemented CAPAs for product and process non-conformance.
- Worked closely with R&D team on product development.
Food Service Technician
Compass Group
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Ensured food safety is treated as priority in all departmental activities.
- Provided personalized and exceptional guest service at every given opportunity
- Performed quality checks on raw materials and maintain stocks.
- Monitored food preparation, scheduling shifts.
Quality Technician
Griffith Foods Ltd
09.2018 - 08.2019
- Performed microbiological/chemical analysis and approved products for shipping.
- Calibrated and maintained testing equipments in lab and record keeping.
- Entered test results/data into laboratory database.
- Inspected production line and verified for start ups.
Production Executive
St. Michael Food Products
12.2016 - 09.2017
- Managed the plant environment to ensure that a product safe environment is maintained.
- Supervised daily production schedule execution.
- Ensured production standards are maintained including quality and quantity.
- Designed new packaging for new products.
Quality Control Executive
Seasaga Private Ltd
06.2016 - 11.2016
- Conducted Quality Controls following Quality System and Plans.
- Prepared work projects reports and work progress to the Quality manager
- Negotiated with foreign companies if any problem arose
- Investigated food safety and quality deviations during production and conducts CAPA plans.
Quality Control Executive
St. Michael Food Products
07.2015 - 05.2016
- Conducted root cause analysis investigation for food safety and quality deviations.
- Performed product quality checks, maintain raw materials stock and inventory.
- Decided the status of products components, WIP and FG to hold, quarantine or release.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Food Science Technology
Centennial College
Scarborough, ON12.2019
Bachelor of Technology - Food Engineering
Kerala Agricultural University
05.2015
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Positive attitude
- Professional and friendly
- Internal auditing
- New Product development
- Organized
- Work under pressure
Certification
- FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food
- Implementing SQF Systems-Food manufacturing
- HACCP
- SQF Implementing; Internal auditing
- Food Defense Awareness
Timeline
QA & Operations Assistant
Buchanan Global Ingredients
04.2025 - 09.2025
QA/SQF Practitioner
Canterbury Coffee Corporation
08.2021 - 03.2025
QA Supervisor
Signature Culinary Solutions
09.2020 - 08.2021
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Signature culinary solutions
04.2020 - 08.2020
Food Service Technician
Compass Group
09.2019 - 12.2019
Quality Technician
Griffith Foods Ltd
09.2018 - 08.2019
Production Executive
St. Michael Food Products
12.2016 - 09.2017
Quality Control Executive
Seasaga Private Ltd
06.2016 - 11.2016
Quality Control Executive
St. Michael Food Products
07.2015 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Technology - Food Engineering
Kerala Agricultural University
Post Graduate Diploma - Food Science Technology
Centennial College