Umakanth Burra
Mississauga,ON
Summary
Dynamic and self-motivated Quality Assurance professional with 6+years of progressively responsible quality assurance experience in the food industry, equipped with comprehensive knowledge of food science principles and ingredient functionality. Experienced in supporting and development of new food products from conception to commercialization within a fast-paced environment. Proficient in managing multiple tasks and projects while adhering to strict deadlines. Strong communicator with superior organizational skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialist
G.Brandt Meat Packers Ltd.
05.2019 - Current
- Supporting the R&D team in developing new food products and assisting in drafting formulations and conducting sensory evaluations to ensure product quality and consistency
- Managing multiple tasks and projects, prioritizing workload to meet established deadlines
- Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders through verbal, written, and electronic modes
- Provided regular updates to team leadership on quality metrics by communicating consistency problems or production deficiencies.
- Ensured product compliance with industry regulations by staying up-to-date on relevant standards and guidelines, implementing necessary changes to maintain conformance.
- Utilizing analytical skills and critical thinking to troubleshoot problems and make informed decisions
- Carrying out daily operational inspection and performing ACC and E.coli swabs to check to the plant cleanliness and sanitation audit
- Providing quality support to the manufacturing operations by developing and implementing a comprehensive quality and food safety program as per HACCP and SQF
- Monitoring quality assurance standards and good manufacturing practices (GMP’s) are being followed throughout the plant
- Preparing export documentation to other countries and coordinating inspection by CFIA Inspectors
- Monthly plant auditing and daily verification of Critical Control Point records
- Performing the Environmental Listeria Swabbing for both Food contact and Non-Food contact sites and conducting Allergen testing
- Performing sensory evaluation of in-process batches and micro sampling of incoming ingredients for external lab
- Monitoring pH of fermented products and conducting water activity analysis
- Monitoring in-process and finished products meet quality standards and specifications
- Performing annual validations – CCP validation, Cleaning & Sanitation validation.
- Investigating customer complaints by conducting Risk based Assessment of food safety/food quality-related incidents
- Conducting shelf life studies and performing quality tests for finished products
- Performing internal calibration of equipment - Scales, Thermometers, pH meter, aW kits.
- And handle external calibrations
- Analyzing all Quality Assurance data to improve quality and reduce customer complaints
- Performing Traceability, Mock Recalls and Trend Analysis
- Effectively implemented all microbiological sampling procedures
- Reviewed and updated HACCP and Prerequisite Programs
- Involving in yearly SQF audit and Costco audit
- Maintaining documentation, record keeping and filing
- Training new employees for GMP & Food safety program.
Quality Assurance Technician
Furlani Foods
04.2017 - 02.2019
- Performed audit and entered data and periodically verified reports and logbooks for all product/line
- Followed up on product non-conformance
- Assisted in investigation for root cause analysis with supervisors, peers of unacceptable or out of specification products, troubleshoot and prepared technical and administrative reports
- Extensive knowledge of weekly preoperational inspection and ATP swabbing of FCS (food contact surfaces)
- Performing microbial tests for finished products such as ACC, Coliforms/E.coli and Yeast/Mold, Staph and environmental Listeria
- Conducted root cause analyses for identified defects, implementing preventive measures to minimize recurrence rates.
- Performed thorough inspections of incoming materials and outgoing products.
- Contributed to continuous improvement initiatives by actively participating in regular team meetings and sharing insights about potential areas of improvement.
- Reduced customer complaints with proactive identification of potential issues during routine testing procedures.
- Monthly microbial tests for Water quality and Air quality
- Monthly Listeria tests for FCS (food contact surfaces) and NFCS (non-food contact surfaces)
- Weekly verification of thermometers and scales
- Participated in sensory evaluation of finished products.
Education
Biotechnology and Industrial microbiology -
Centennial College
Toronto, ONBachelor’s in Pharmaceutical manufacturing -
Skills
- Knowledge on FSEP, HACCP, SQF, GMP, Traceability, Recalls & SQF audit
- Formulations and batch production
- Knowledge of swabbing and plating
- Equipment calibration
- Sensory evaluation & Allergen testing
- Troubleshooting proficiency
- Creative problem solver
- Time management
- Detail Oriented
- Problem-solving skills
- Analytical Thinking
- Decision-Making
- Quality improvements
- Data Analysis
- Quality Management Systems
- Documentation And Reporting
- Risk Management
- Internal Audits
Timeline
Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialist
G.Brandt Meat Packers Ltd.
05.2019 - Current
Quality Assurance Technician
Furlani Foods
04.2017 - 02.2019
Biotechnology and Industrial microbiology -
Centennial College
Bachelor’s in Pharmaceutical manufacturing -
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