Malia Kam Barker
Oceanside
Summary
Results-driven food development expert specializing in new product development, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance. Effectively manages cross-functional teams to align with market demands and improve product offerings. Utilizes analytical insights to enhance operations and ensure adherence to regulations. Focused on cultivating teamwork and empowering team members for optimal departmental performance.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
FOOD DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIST
FreshRealm
Oceanside
2022.08 - Current
- Ensure all critical-path development stage gates are met by working cross-functionally with Commercialization, Finance, FSQA, Marketing, Sales, and Regulatory.
- Design and execute meal ideation for product development, leveraging culinary expertise to optimize recipes and costs.
- Conduct preliminary sensory evaluations and shelf-life testing to ensure speed to market.
- Perform cooking validations in various cooking appliances along with RACC testing.
- Analyze market competitors and products to cultivate strategic decisions and enhance product offerings to meet market demands.
- Foster customer relationships as direct project liaison, presenting new products and facilitating on-site presentations to enhance engagement.
- Coordinate product logistics to efficiently fulfill customer sample requests, ensuring timely access to new offerings.
- Collaborate with Regulatory on naming conventions & standard of identities for all products.
- Collaborate with Sourcing teams & Buyers to address ingredient transition gaps and ensure supply continuity.
ASSISTANT QA/QC MANAGER
The Good Patch
2022.01 - 2022.07
- Managed product quality assurance, ensuring alignment with industry standards and driving continuous improvement in manufacturing processes.
- Coordinated and managed quality testing plans for existing products and new product development.
- Collaborated with operations to implement QA/QC initiatives that improved compliance and product standards.
- Ensured consistency of CGMP principles and implemented standard operation procedures.
- Monitored product consumer complaints, reported trends to team, and suggested corrective actions to enhance product quality.
- Analyzed laboratory test results and presented findings to cross-functional teams.
- Created and maintained label process reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance within regulatory requirements.
- Supported supplier selection for raw materials and manufacturing.
- Supported sales with buyer documentation requirements for product acceptance & maintenance.
REGULATORY SUPERVISOR
Custom Flavors
2021.07 - 2022.01
- Oversaw regulatory processes, policies, objectives, and certifications to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Revamped workflow processes to enhance adherence to regulatory standards.
- Created and refined standard operation procedures to streamline regulatory compliance.
- Evaluated employee performances & trained fellow employees within the regulatory department.
- Assisted with internal and third party company audits.
REGULATORY DOCUMENTATION SPECIALIST
Custom Flavors
2019.02 - 2021.07
- Created comprehensive customer documentation, including specifications and certifications.
- Coordinated with certifying bodies to maintain Kosher, Organic, and BRCGS certifications.
- Managed supplier documentation within TraceGains to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements, supporting quality assurance.
- Streamlined raw material verification process.
Education
B.S. - Biochemistry
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ2018-12
Skills
- ERP Systems - Batch Master, SAP, & Deacom
- Project Management
- Customer Service
- Microsoft Office 365
- Google Drive
- Problem-solving
- Organization and time management
- Attention to detail
- Adaptiveness
- Communication & collaboration
- Teamwork
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Timeline
FOOD DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIST
FreshRealm
2022.08 - Current
ASSISTANT QA/QC MANAGER
The Good Patch
2022.01 - 2022.07
REGULATORY SUPERVISOR
Custom Flavors
2021.07 - 2022.01
REGULATORY DOCUMENTATION SPECIALIST
Custom Flavors
2019.02 - 2021.07
B.S. - Biochemistry
Arizona State University