TRACEY RICHARDSON521 Kengary Drive, Ennismore, ON K0L 1T0

705-292-5138 (H)mailto:traceyr853@gmail.com

CAREER SUMMARY

Highly motivated, goal oriented Quality Assurance Professional with proven success in leading project from concept to fully operational status, to achievement of objectives on time and on budget. Solid experience with Six Sigma and Lean tools and initiatives. Demonstrated leadership skills in leading and directing cross functional teams. Excellent organization, planning, communications, training and problem solving skills. An avid learner with strong analytical and computer skills. Able to manage multiple projects in a fast paced, continuous improvement environment. Able to develop Quality Programs (SOP’s) and initiate them.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LABOTIX AUTOMATION, INC, Peterborough 2012 - PresentLabotix® Automation, Inc. provides the most flexible, open automation solution in North America for today’s clinical laboratory. Labotix is focused solely on lab automation and efficiency. Combining analyzers with Labotix’s powerful user-defined process control software, enables laboratories to have a custom system designed to evolve with the lab and their needs. With installations around the world that have been operating and evolving for over ten years, Labotix has the experience, expertise, and reliability necessary to meet the needs of any size lab.

Quality Specialist Primarily hired to develop the entire Quality Program for medical devices at the facility. Assigned Quality Management Representative in at the Peterborough Labotix location and Omaha Health Interlink location.

• Successful creation of the Quality Manual based on21 CFR 820 Medical Device Quality Regulations • Successful creation of the Quality SOP’s based on21 CFR 820 Medical Device Quality Regulations• Lead the training and implementation of the Quality Plan• Responsible for Record keeping of Training Documents, Device History Files, etc.• Successful creation of the Functional Specifications for the Device Modules• Successful creation of the Technical Specifications for the Device Modules• Successful creation of the Validation Test Plans for the Device Modules• Successful creation of the Validation Protocols for the Device Modules• Lead the organization and the design of the operating, technical and maintenance manuals for the

new designs• Technical Writer for the Device Modules

PEPSICO CANADA, Peterborough 1990-2011The Peterborough Plant produces a variety of “Good for you” Quaker Oats brand products including Instant Quaker Oats, Standard Oats, Chewy Bars, Life Cereal, Life Oat Bran Cereal, Mother’s Oat Bran, Barbara’s Bakery Shredded Oat Bran, Oatmeal Squares, Capn Crunch, Corn Bran, Hot Oat Bran, Muffets, Puffed Wheat and Rice, Harvest Crunch, Aunt Jemima Pancakes, Cake, Cookie and Muffin Mixes. The Plant has over 500 unionized staff as well as 78 salaried staff. Processes include mixing, enrobing, oat flake manufacturing and high and low pressure extrusion.

Quality Assurance Coordinator

Initially hired as a Quality Assurance Technician responsible for ensuring all in-process and finished product specifications met Quaker Standards. Responsible for troubleshooting issues and giving direction to junior employees during off shifts and weekends. Promoted to QA Coordinator in 1997. Responsible for ensuring that all aspects of Quality, such as traceability, HACCP, GMP, food safety, formula compliance and Quality Manuals are maintained on a regular basis, ensuring that Quality is top priority in all decision making. Products included Instant Quaker Oatmeal, Standard Oatmeal, Baking Mix, Pancakes, Ready To Eat (extruded Products), Chewy, Harvest Crunch, Puffed Rice & Wheat, and Muffets. Responsible for coaching and training of counterparts in all of the requirements including policies, procedures and software programs.

• Appointed Project Lead for implementation of Infinity Quality System. Developed pilot projects to test system and then implemented projects for all packaging and manufacturing lines and served as SME for the plant and Canadian Operations. Eliminating over packing resulted in $100,000 annual savings on one line alone and this was implemented throughout the plant with savings/losses tracked and reported monthly.

• Generated $250,000 annual savings as Project Lead for 8 month re-mill project to test the addition of 5-10% re-mill product to eliminate losses in Harvest Crunch Cereal and Chewy Bars due to start ups, shut downs, and high moisture holds. Ran all tests, produced new product and gained Marketing & Quality approval.

• Reduced costs by $115,000 annually on Cake/Cookie/Muffin line (running 23 products) by working with operators to develop a new clean-up process which reduced clean-up times by 50% and developing an Optimization Run Strategy which resulted in changes to Production Scheduling of Allergan/Non Allergan products to increase productivity and eliminate need for 7 day schedule during peak times.

• Led variability in weights on Muffin, Cake and Cookie project using Six Sigma process to analyze over 80 variables on the line and identifying 4 controls for final analysis which resulted in changes in scales, and calibration program, training operators in weight control legislations, and savings of $35,000 annually.

• Appointed Project Leader for the successful installation of new Infinity Quality System upgrade in 2008 to further improve data collection and to bring the company to a higher technological level. Created hierarchy and first initial projects for the Trenton Rice Cakes Plant, trained QA staff and Process Improvement Engineers.

• Led a cross functional investigation team of 30 to determine the source of metal in product on two lines. Thoroughly analyzed manufacturing lines and had a magnet installed between trucks and storage bins, which determined metal shavings were coming from the auger of supplier’s new truck. Recovered $38,000 and recognized participants with gift cards.

• Saved $60,000 annually by eliminating product over packing in Pancake Mix by working closely with a dedicated mechanic to analyze/identify issues which resulted in modifying filler buckets and modifying equipment to ensure a more consistent flow.

• Led JED automatic batch formula system implementation helping develop system needs with JED IT staff, managing pilot project, training operators, monitoring performance and troubleshooting, and serving as SME over next 12 years. System corrects non-compliance in formulas by automatically correcting ingredient amounts and eliminates many manual operations, such as adding sugar.

• Generated $205,000 annual savings in reduction in use of premix, reduced salt holds by 75%, and improved product consistency of Quaker Instant Oatmeal lines as Project Lead for study involving Six Sigma Black Belts from DuPont analyzing line and lab tests which resulted in Decision Rules for operators and 50% reduction in lab staff.

• Appointed to train as backup for Baking Mix and Pancake Department and was trained on production scheduling, payroll, bulk receiving, staffing, production entry, and Work-in Process inventories and then covered for holidays and absences for production counterparts for two years 2009-2011.

• Reduced changeover time on Chewy Bar line from 12 hours to 6 hours with a labour savings of $33,000 annually on one product flavour by working with DuPont Black Belt team to study changeovers, ingredient similarities, and my experiences with other changeovers. This process was then applied to 7 other products to reduce changeovers and clean-ups.

WEETABIX CANADA, Cobourg 1986-1989Quality Control Technician, Summer student. Maintained all in process, finished product and ingredient specifications in the Plant. Products included Weetabix, Corn Flakes, Alpen, Crisp Rice, Bran Flakes, Fruit Hoops and Oat Hoops

EDUCATION

• B.Sc., Organic Chemistry, Trent University• Lean Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt Certification

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Active Factory Live Data Collection Software• MFG PRO ERP Software Training• Stat Graphics Statistics Software• Infinity Quality System• American Institute of Baking Training (AIB)• Hold-it Data Entry System for Product Holds• DM+ Data Management Shipping &

Traceability• Minitab Statistical Software• Extrusion Processes Training• Astute Complaint System

• Wilkie Complaint System• CSI Complaint System• Word 1, EXCEL 1, 2, 3• Kronos (Payroll)• Supplier Auditor Training• Internal Auditor Training• HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control

Points) training• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)• Adobe Pro

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

• Relay for Life, Peterborough 2008-2011• Volunteer Week Team Member, Co-Leader for Kawartha Food Share, Peterborough - 2010• Family Share Program – adopted a local family 2008-2011