Esther Akinfolarin
Edmonton,Canada
Summary
Result-oriented and passionate quality assurance professional with over six years of experience in meat safety and quality assurance within federally inspected processing facilities. Equipped with proven leadership skills that enhance the performance of QA teams. Adept at managing quality assurance programs while ensuring adherence to CFIA, HACCP, and GFSI, including SQF, and BRC. I am seeking an opportunity to leverage my expertise in driving continuous improvement in the food industry as a Quality Manager.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
HACCP COORDINATOR
Sofina Foods Inc.
Edmonton, Canada
09.2021 - Current
- Providing guidance and leadership to four QA teams, and ensuring tasks are conducted and completed as required.
- Managing the ongoing review and enhancement of quality assurance programs, focusing on HACCP plans, SOPs, and Prerequisite Programs to ensure compliance with CFIA-SFCR, GFSI, BRC, and other regulatory standards.
- Addressed CFIA INS through corrective actions and preventative measures, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Played a key role in preparing the plant for, and successfully passing, BRC and customer audits, demonstrating high standards of compliance and operational excellence.
- Overseeing adherence to regulations for exporting finished products to global markets, including the USA, Europe, Africa, and other countries.
- Conducting comprehensive root cause analyses and implementing corrective and preventive actions to address internal audit nonconformities, CFIA complaints, customer complaints, and third-party audit findings.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including production, maintenance, sanitation, and R&D, to align quality objectives with overall operational goals.
- Spearheading the training of new and old staff on GMPs, HACCP, Specific Job Task, and quality-related procedures, enhancing the overall knowledge and compliance within the plant.
- Conducting validation programs of critical control points during processing in order to ensure product safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Performing traceability and mock recall.
- Ensuring continuous improvement of food safety culture across all departments.
- Ensures continuous microbial testing and shelf-life testing on raw materials and finished products.
- Trending of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for continuous improvement.
- Coordinate the Monthly Food Safety and Sanitation Meeting.
- Involve in the plant pest control program by ensuring the implementation of corrective actions of identified non-conformances on the report provided by external service provider.
- Performs pre-operational inspection, environmental, and equipment testing.
- Staying updated with the latest technology trends that can enhance advancements in food safety to continuously improve processes and implement innovative solutions.
- Perform other duties required.
HACCP COORDINATOR
Canadian Premium Meats Inc.
Lacombe, Canada
10.2020 - 08.2021
- Led animal welfare, GMPs, and SQF third-party audits as required.
- Managed a team of three QA technicians in ensuring quality standards are met.
- Addressed CFIA CARS through investigation of root cause, implementing corrective actions and preventative measures that ensures regulatory compliance.
- Managed the HACCP system, SOPs, and Prerequisite Programs to ensure compliance with CFIA-CVS and other regulatory standards.
- Coordinated microbiological sampling and testing, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data used for quality control and regulatory reporting.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including production, maintenance, and sanitation, to align quality objectives with overall operational goals.
- Performed document reviews, control, and safekeeping.
- Performed other duties as required.
FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICIAN
Canadian Premium Meats Inc.
Lacombe, Canada
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Conducted daily inspections and verifications of critical control points (CCPs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain high standards of food safety and quality.
- Assisted in the implementation of corrective actions for identified nonconformities, ensuring continuous improvement in product safety and quality.
- Performed an operational inspection on the environment and equipment to ensure food safety.
- Assisted in the implementation of microbial intervention using lactic acid to eliminate or reduce microbial load.
- Analyzed data trends to identify potential quality issues, facilitating proactive measures to prevent product defects, and improve overall quality.
- Performed other duties as required.
Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE - ANIMAL SCIENCE (MEAT SCIENCE)
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta08.2019
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - AGRICULTURE (ANIMAL SCIENCE)
Osun State University
Nigeria08.2015
Skills
- Team leadership
- Continuous improvement
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Advanced software proficiency
- Collaborative teamwork
Awards
- Women in Agriculture Student Sponsorship Conference Award, 2018
- Ramsey Boyd Scholar Award, 2019
- Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology Scholarship Trust, 2019
- Canadian Society of Animal Science Student Award, 2019
Interested In
Manager, Quality Assurance Role, Quality Fast Foods, 04/11/25
Certifications Training
- GMP and HACCP Implementation, Alberta Food Processor - SGS ACADEMY, Canada, 08/01/20
- MPIP Training & Examination, 2022/2023
Timeline
HACCP COORDINATOR
Sofina Foods Inc.
09.2021 - Current
HACCP COORDINATOR
Canadian Premium Meats Inc.
10.2020 - 08.2021
FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICIAN
Canadian Premium Meats Inc.
09.2019 - 09.2020
MASTER OF SCIENCE - ANIMAL SCIENCE (MEAT SCIENCE)
University of Alberta
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - AGRICULTURE (ANIMAL SCIENCE)
Osun State University
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