Melinda Hudgens
Wheat Ridge
Summary
Dynamic Quality Assurance Manager with extensive experience at Leprino, skilled in regulatory, quality compliance, and process improvement. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to enhance process efficiency and drive product quality. Certified in HACCP/PCQI and ISO, I excel in fostering collaboration, quality customer service, and delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Quality Assurance
Leprino Foods Company
Denver
08.2017 - Current
- Manage internal and external customer relationships, perform product evaluations for consistency, and address customer complaints.
- Collaborate with PD, Technical Services, and the plant on emerging issues or projects. Communicate and escalate to Sr. Leadership team: any trends, issues, and product performance? Collaborating with the BI Team on the complaint trending tool for the plant and corporate to move PPBTH metrics.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders to align project goals and expectations.
- Participate in cross-functional meetings or be assigned as QA Lead to drive projects (Grader Training, Oven Validation, LE to LEW transition) and execution.
- Enforced quality service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
Quality Execution Sr. Supervisor
Leprino Foods Company
Lemoore West
12.2012 - 07.2017
- Key contact with corporate on trials or plant issues to ensure proper disposition of problem product. Developed key metrics for QE Lab performance and reliability, coached and developed future leaders, performed continuous improvement studies to increase department efficiency, and led the plant in updating the Food Safety program. Assisted the Roswell plant in updating its Food Safety program.
- Supervised daily operations ensuring efficiency in production workflows
- Trained and mentored staff in company protocols and safety standards
- Coordinated cross-departmental efforts to enhance operational effectiveness
- Implemented process improvements for enhanced productivity and quality control
- Addressed employee concerns fostering a positive work environment
- Encouraged teamwork among subordinates by promoting a positive work culture.
- Participated in strategic planning initiatives to improve operations.
- Provided leadership and guidance to a team of seven supervisors and 120 indirect reports.
- Developed monthly reports detailing progress toward project goals and KPIs.
- Investigated customer complaints promptly and took corrective action as required.
- Conducted regular departmental meetings with staff to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
- Supported staff in execution of duties posing special challenges to individual skillsets or logistical limitations of typical operations.
- GINA award winner and Plant Leadership Award winner (twice).
Quality Execution Supervisor
Leprino Foods Company
Lemoore
10.2011 - 11.2012
- Responsible for leading Hold and Release team for cheese production. Worked with Processing and Cheese Operations to ensure all quality issues are addressed properly and timely. Worked with corporate on exceptions and other quality issues. Achieved higher efficiency with team by cross training all direct reports and setting standard work.
Quality Assurance and Technical Services Director
Fantasy Cookie Company
Sylmar
07.2006 - 04.2011
- Implemented Quality Systems to ensure compliance to all specifications.
- Trained and maintained all QA-related programs, and led the team for SQF implementation for GFSI certification. Performed co-packer audits and qualification audits to ensure compliance to specifications.
- Led organic program, Kosher program, and all scale up interface of new products including. Led and trained auditors for GMP and systems audits. Led all third party audits and customer audits.
- Led strategic planning for product development and market expansion
- Spearheaded innovation initiatives to improve product offerings
- Directed cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency
Quality Assurance Manager
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Los Angeles
11.2004 - 06.2006
- Managed quality assurance supervisors and technicians to ensure compliance to all specifications and regulatory compliance. Responsible for maintaining Sanitation program, Pest Control Program, Food Safety Program and Quality Assurance Program. Upgraded quality standards to ensure compliance with Coca-Cola’s Quality System certification (ISO implementation). Managed all line testing through SPC programs and ensure process capability for all lines. Duties also included establishing training programs for statistical process control, HACCP for food safety, and training program for new and experienced lab technicians. Responsible for water quality management (laboratory testing, analysis, and third party result interpretation) and maintenance activities of water plant. Performed root cause analysis on all quality issues for continuous improvement. Responsible for all corporate and co-packed audits to ensure compliance.
Quality Assurance Manager
Sunsweet Growers, Inc
Yuba City
01.2002 - 10.2004
- Managed quality assurance supervisors and technicians to ensure specification and regulatory compliance.
- Developed quality assurance protocols to ensure product consistency and safety standards.
- Conducted regular audits to assess compliance with industry regulations and internal policies for domestic and international suppliers.
- Analyzed product defects and initiated corrective actions to enhance manufacturing processes.
- Led a collaborative, cross-functional team to troubleshoot product issues and drive effective solution strategies.
- Established line qualification SOPs and used statistical programs to ensure process capability.
QA Supervisor/Food Technologist
Bell-Carter Olive Company
Corning
07.2000 - 11.2001
- Managed five laboratories, and supervised QA inspectors.
- Further information may be provided upon request.
Senior Food Technologist
ABCO Laboratories, Inc
Fairfield
09.1999 - 06.2000
- Conducted sensory evaluations to assess taste, texture, and overall acceptance of raw materials and finished products.
- Further information may be provided upon request.
Education
B.S. - Food Science and Technology, special emphasis in Food Technology
University of California, Davis
01.1998
Skills
- Better Process Control Certification
- Regulatory compliance
- Process improvement
- Statistical analysis
- Team building
- Customer service
- Cross-functional collaboration
- HACCP/PCQI certified
- ISO Lead Auditor Certification
- SAP proficient
- SQF Lead and Practitioner
- QMS Systems
- Six Sigma and CI Analytics
- Genesis Nutrition Software
- MS Office Proficient
- Data analysis
Timeline
Manager, Quality Assurance
Leprino Foods Company
08.2017 - Current
Quality Execution Sr. Supervisor
Leprino Foods Company
12.2012 - 07.2017
Quality Execution Supervisor
Leprino Foods Company
10.2011 - 11.2012
Quality Assurance and Technical Services Director
Fantasy Cookie Company
07.2006 - 04.2011
Quality Assurance Manager
Coca-Cola Enterprises
11.2004 - 06.2006
Quality Assurance Manager
Sunsweet Growers, Inc
01.2002 - 10.2004
QA Supervisor/Food Technologist
Bell-Carter Olive Company
07.2000 - 11.2001
Senior Food Technologist
ABCO Laboratories, Inc
09.1999 - 06.2000
B.S. - Food Science and Technology, special emphasis in Food Technology
University of California, Davis
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