Gia Sekhon

Managed Ingredients Division and provided support to Pasta, Spices, Frozen Foods, and Fruits divisions. 12 Direct Reports.

• Managed the implementation and maintenance of site BRC, FSSC, ISO 22000,Halal,and Kosher standards.
• Led Customer audits (Kraft Heinz QRMP and Platinum rules, Modeled (Quality Lead Audits and QP Corporate Audits), General Mills (Quarterly health checks and annual VCOE audit)
• Led site regulatory and compliance initiatives.
• Coordinated and executed regulatory audits, product registrations, and assessments with relevant authorities in major hubs including Dubai, Sharjah, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
• Streamlined monthly reporting process by compiling and analyzing data on quality metrics such as KPIs,GMP scores,Audit compliance,Serious incidents ,Performance monitoring ,Approved suppliers performance,and customer complaints.
• Ensured adherence to local/international guides and intended country's regulations through meticulous validation of spec, formula, and packaging.
• Oversaw end-to-end process of product commercialization including approving specs and trial reports, leading extensive shelf life studies, developing an effective HACCP Plan. Additionally, worked closely with R&D on approving initial 3 production runs prior to final quality assurance handover.
• Implemented and championed PRP and HACCP protocols to ensure food safety standards at multiple sites.
• Led monthly progress reporting for HACCP Reviews, Validation, and Verification activities.
• Executed responsibilities as the lead for site-wide training initiatives
• Approved trainer for Food Safety by Dubai Municipality
• Led Approved Suppliers Program and guided Supply chain on Change control requests for new materials, alternate vendors, and Outsourced suppliers
• Implemented effective change management strategies resulting in reduced errors and increased efficiency. Developed and implemented change control processes and procedures to increase efficiency and accuracy of system changes.
• Executed commercialization of newly developed products following thorough trials and feasibility studies
• Led the site RCA and CAPA activities
• Led monthly quality updates and annual management reviews.
• Led Sedex ethical audits and successfully maintained SEDEX SAQ.
• Oversaw the adherence to Local, Standards, and Customers' requirements in leading Site Sanitation program and Environmental Monitoring Program.
• Sustained Quality OPEX and recommended FSQ CAPEX for CI.
• Oversaw the reporting process for Site Sustainability AOP.
• Managed cross-functional collaborations with stakeholders to drive the successful execution of Sustainability Projects covering aspects like Water conservation, Waste management practices, Energy efficiency measures, Green office initiatives and Human rights advocacy.
• Managed the Site Quality Culture plan through Quality Culture assessments, ideation meetings, development and conclusion of identified improvement activities with senior management team.
• Executed appraisal processes, talent evaluation strategies, and succession plans.

Managed a team comprising of 2 QA Techs, Site Sanitarian and supervised 2 QC operators. LBC Site manufactured Dips and Pates.

• Championed Quality Systems, including HACCP and FCP.
• Led the development and delivery of Site Quality improvement plan to BU leads, ensuring adherence to system and operational standards on site.
• Timely resolution of all bucket walks, factory walks, and GMP Audit findings by transferring actions to Noncompliance database. Conducted fortnightly reviews of Noncompliance database to ensure corrective actions were on track.
• Took charge of leading the Site Risk assessment plan, from facilitating risk assessments to approving them for annual QRMP audits.
• Reported monthly on Golden Rules and FSQ Playbook internal scoring.
• Implemented change control procedures according to established guidelines. Review change control requests, follow up on open requests and verify closed requests.
• Reported Monthly Quality Metrics to Site management, overseeing progress and gaps, while developing FSQ Focus for the upcoming month.
• On-site champion for customer complaints redressal, analyzing adverse trends and engaging stakeholders. Liaised with consumer services on complaint responses.
• Develop the reduction plan for factory controllable complaints.
• Monitored Positive release system on Site and reported variances to wider stakeholders.
• ▪Led the Site FSQ Validation activities, including developing the Schedule, executing as per Protocols and agreed timelines and following through any adverse trends.
• Developed and executed the Internal audit schedule. Organize internal and external performance monitoring training for internal auditors.
• Communicated monthly reports of Site FSQ issues, exceptions, and QRMP compliance to BU leads.
• Managed environmental management program to ensure adherence to regulatory and QRMP protocol.
• ▪ Quality improvement lead for execution of projects initiated by Corporate FSQ improvement team.
• ▪ FSQ Training Lead-Developed and delivered key FSQ Training topics to Site management and production floor staff.
• ▪ Reported Serious incidents, Quality incidents, Recall and withdrawal to Site management, Regulatory agencies, BU leads and closed out incidents as per protocol.
• Performed budget analysis and ensured cost-effective allocation of resources for the Quality team's needs.
• ▪ Led the Sanitation KPIs, managed adverse Preops checks, Cleaning validations, approval of chemicals, and monitored SLA with Chemical suppliers.
• Led the technical review for new product launches.
• Collaborated with Scientific and Regulatory Affairs team to ensure accurate labeling claims and regulatory variances.
• Managed audits for Supermarket, regulatory sector, and Corporate organizations.
• Maintained regular communication with Regulatory agencies to discuss projects, environmental results findings, and closeouts

Site manufactured Infant formulas and Neutraceuticals.

Product release function

• CAPAs investigation and resolution.
• Maintenance of Calibration Regime.
• Maintenance of Pest control regime.
• Conduct GMP audits, Internal audits between sites.
• RMP audits preparation and participation.
• Training preparation and Delivery
• Designed and executed QMS procedures to ensure compliance with FSC22000 regulations.
• Investigated and resolved customer complaints.
• Maintained and managed the Pathogen management program effectively.
• Completed quality improvement projects as per requests from Group QM and GM Quality.
• Maintained site-specific HOLD, NCs, and Deviations.
• Facilitated the release of raw materials and packaging materials.
• Oversaw the management of verification tasks and processes.

• Streamlined and upgraded HACCP plans for the entire facility
• Drafted, issued and maintained SOP, WI, QAS and PI database.
• Maintenance of Document control. Maintenance of trend analysis of Prerequisite programs. Organized, collated and maintained HACCP verification activities.
• Training lead for Food safety and quality systems training.
• Customer complaints champion for the site. Technical lead for feasibility and pre-production NPD trials.
• Led the analysis of manufacturing incidents and issues to identify root causes.
• Maintained NCR closeouts and monitored Trends by category.
• Led the Monthly Quality and HACCP review meetings.
• Maintenance of Supplier non-conformances and shelf life extensions.
• Effectively managed the organization's internal audit schedule.
• Led audits for Coles, SQF, and NSWFA.
• Conducted Validations for new process and equipment launches
• Maintained NRS and NSWFA pilot program.
• Approved and issued specifications for finished goods and RM.

RTE Chilled Mayos and Condiments segement.

• Responsible for maintaining QMS and HACCP requirements as a Quality Technologist. Conducted external audits for Woolworths, Coles, NSWFA, HALAL and YUM to ensure adherence to standards.
• Performed regular inspections of production areas to identify potential issues with product quality.
• Conducted root cause analysis of non-conforming products, identified corrective actions, and monitored results.
• Evaluated customer complaints, investigated discrepancies, and provided recommendations for corrective action when needed.

Manufacturer of RTE Shelf stable Mayos, Condiments and Beverage mixes.

• As a Senior Quality Technician, ensured compliance with applicable Food safety regulations, HACCP, product specifications, and QMS.
• Participated in external BRC, Woolworths, Coles and NZFSA audits.
• Maintained up-to-date records of all quality testing activities, including test results and process audits.
• Participated in internal audits as part of the company's overall Quality Management System.
• Deliver Food Safety and Quality Trainings.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement quality systems, policies, and procedures.
• Conducted regular audits of product and process, analyzed data, and generated reports to identify areas for improvement.

Copacker for Nestle India Ltd in Condiments segment.

• Product release and RM/PM release function.