Luz Maria Cerda
Aurora
Summary
Experienced Laboratory & Accreditation Specialist with over 25 years in food industry quality and microbiology laboratories. Proven expertise in supporting ISO/IEC 17025 and BRCGS programs through comprehensive internal Lab audits, effective document control, and cross-site standardization initiatives. Serve as the primary SCC liaison, responsible for planning and coordinating internal audits and training of a team of 10 internal auditors.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Specialist Laboratory & Accreditation
Maple Leaf Foods
Toronto, ON
05.2025 - Current
- Ensures compliance with Laboratory Management System requirements across all sites
- Acts as SCC liaison responsible for Central Laboratory accreditation
- Manages lab document control, including quality, technical policies, and laboratory safety procedures.
- Responsible for the scheduling, planning, and organizing internal audits for both the quality and technical programs. Provide training and guidance to the in-house internal auditors (10).
- Support standardization of laboratory management system documentation across Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Perform laboratory audits in other Maple Leaf Foods facilities (as requested), issue an assessment finding report, and provide technical assistance to ensure compliance with the required standards (ISO/IEC 17025 or BRCGS Lab part).
- Assist laboratory management and supervision in the identification of laboratory non-conforming situations and the determination of appropriate corrective actions.
- Responsible for the knowledge of and compliance with all aspects of the Quality Management System.
Micro Lab Coordinator
Maple Leaf Foods
Toronto, ON
01.2007 - 04.2025
- Internal Auditor following ISO 17025 and helped with the External audits (SCC).
- Maintained and calibrated lab instruments and equipment to streamline use.
- Log and complete Non-Conformances, Opportunity for improvement (QN) in the SAP System.
- Identified and reported issues affecting test performance.
- Promoted and enforced compliance with regulatory agencies.
- Prepared written reports for clients based upon project specifics.
- Prepared budgets for each project and managed resources to keep tasks on track.
- Released reports to clients and dealt with any issues from Clients.
- Biosafety Officer at Ethel Laboratory.
- Participate in the hiring process for staffing the Lab.
Senior Laboratory Analyst
Maple Leaf Foods
Toronto, ON
03.2005 - 01.2007
- Performed Microbiology, chemical, and physical tests using standard and In-house methods, using a wide variety of lab equipment, instruments, and devices.
- In charge of the Lab Inventory and maintenance of equipment.
- Released reports to clients and dealt with any issues from Clients.
- Internal auditor and Auditee for SCC audits.
Laboratory Technician
Maple Leaf Foods
Toronto, ON
03.2001 - 03.2005
- Received samples, recorded in the receiving Log.
- Prepared solutions, test samples, and obtained and recorded test data in accordance with standards.
- Maintained, calibrated, and troubleshooted pH probes, EC meters, balances, automatic pipettes, and diluters, etc.
- Prepared media for the different microorganisms
Factory Line Worker
Maple Leaf Foods | Ethel
Toronto, ON
06.1992 - 03.1993
- Worked alongside inspectors on the evisceration line to ensure chickens met quality standards, removing any non-conforming parts such as legs or wings according to inspectors’ instructions.
Education
Associate of Science - CHEMICAL PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA
Associate of Science - BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
North York, ON12-1996
ACCOUNTANT DIPLOMA - undefined
Instituto Superior Tecnológico Argentina
Lima, Perú12-1988
Skills
- More than 25 years of experience working in various roles in Quality Assurance – Technical Services
- Strong sense of responsibility, initiative, attention to detail, and ability to communicate openly and transparently
- Exceptional planning and organizational skills
- Efficient in performing different audits: Plant audits, Lab audits, CFIA audits, etc
- Certificate BRC Laboratory Internal Audit – March 2012
- Critical thinking and good judgment
- Natural trainer
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Worked on the implementation of the LIMS project for the entire MLF organization
- Works effectively in a fast-paced environment, individually and as a part of a team
- Very familiar with HACCP principles and applications in the Plant
- Strong listening and coaching skills Connect well with people at all levels and enjoy working together with different teams and partners in a positive way
Certification
- CALA | Toronto, ON AUDITING AGAINST ISO/IEC 17025 09/2020
- Lavantage LAVANTAGE END USER / ADMINISTRATION (LIMS) 08/2015
- GLUTEN FREE CERTIFICATION 06/2014
Languages
Spanish
Timeline
Specialist Laboratory & Accreditation
Maple Leaf Foods
05.2025 - Current
Micro Lab Coordinator
Maple Leaf Foods
01.2007 - 04.2025
Senior Laboratory Analyst
Maple Leaf Foods
03.2005 - 01.2007
Laboratory Technician
Maple Leaf Foods
03.2001 - 03.2005
Factory Line Worker
Maple Leaf Foods | Ethel
06.1992 - 03.1993
Associate of Science - BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
ACCOUNTANT DIPLOMA - undefined
Instituto Superior Tecnológico Argentina