Dephine Chifetete
Adelaide,SA
Summary
Skilled Food technologist with 10 years experience and knowledgeable in quality assurance. Proven record of ensuring high standards in product and process integrity. Strong focus on team collaboration and delivering results, adaptable to changing needs. Expertise in quality control methodologies, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. Known for reliability, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication. Passionate about new product development, food safety and food microbiology.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Quality Assurance Manager
Thistlewood Products
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
10.2019 - 01.2025
- Identified process bottlenecks by conducting thorough root cause analyses.
- Analyzed quality metrics to identify trends and drive data-informed decision-making.
- Guided team through process changes to achieve greater alignment with organizational goals.
- Streamlined quality control procedures for improved product consistency and reliability.
- Monitored regulatory changes for proactive updates to quality assurance protocols.
- Conducted regular audits to ensure adherence to established protocols, maintaining consistency across the organization.
- Trained team members on quality assurance principles, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.
- Facilitated communication between departments regarding quality concerns, fostering collaboration towards shared goals.
- Enhanced product quality by implementing comprehensive QA processes and procedures.
- Assured consistent quality of production by implementing and enforcing automated practice systems.
- Investigated customer complaints and performed corrective actions to resolve quality issues.
- Established robust quality documentation systems that ensured traceability throughout the entire production lifecycle.
- Conducted risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential quality issues.
- Implemented corrective action plans based on audit findings, resulting in measurable improvements over time.
- Performed root cause analysis to identify and resolve quality issues and defects.
- Conducted process and system audits to identify areas of improvement and enforce compliance with industry standards.
- Reduced defects in products by conducting thorough inspections and identifying areas for improvement.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings through meticulous attention to detail and consistent quality control measures.
- Recorded, analyzed, and distributed statistical information.
- Created and maintained quality management systems to align with industry standards.
- Managed supplier relationships, enforcing strict standards for incoming materials and components to preserve product integrity and minimize rejections.
- Drove successful product launches with rigorous pre-release testing protocols that minimized post-launch issues.
- Initiated and managed relationships with suppliers to ensure raw materials met quality specifications.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify quality trends and areas for improvement.
- Enhanced product quality and reduced defect rates by implementing comprehensive quality control processes.
- Improved customer satisfaction by ensuring all products met stringent quality standards before release.
- Negotiated with external certification bodies to ensure timely and cost-effective product certifications.
- Conducted regular training sessions on quality assurance best practices, elevating team competency levels.
- Collaborated with audit clients and action owners to apply root cause analysis guidance and establish effective corrective action plans.
- Scheduled and chaired quality review meetings to review effectiveness of performance mitigating risk, improving throughput and achieving customer satisfaction.
- Developed quality planning for multiple new product launches by verifying customer requirements and implementing in design and production.
- Specified quality requirements of raw materials with suppliers.
Quality Control and Hygiene Supervisor
Rhodes Food Group
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
01.2018 - 09.2019
- Developed training programs for enhanced employee performance.
- Coordinated cross-functional projects to achieve organizational goals.
- Trained staff on best practices to enhance service delivery.
- Increased customer satisfaction with streamlined service procedures.
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Resolved conflicts among team members promptly, maintaining a harmonious working environment conducive to productivity.
- Enhanced communication within the team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Implemented safety protocols to minimize workplace accidents and maintain compliance with industry standards.
- Implemented cost-saving measures, significantly reducing operational expenses.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
Food Technologist
MaBaker Pies
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
06.2014 - 12.2017
- Increased production efficiency by streamlining workflows and identifying areas for improvement in the manufacturing process.
- Provided guidance on improved quality control measures to increase customer satisfaction.
- Facilitated cost reduction through product improvements.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by closely monitoring production processes and implementing necessary adjustments.
- Performed regular inspections of production lines to guarantee sanitary environment.
- Performed research on latest technologies and current markets to develop new product concepts, successfully developing over Number new products.
- Tested new, alternative raw materials through analysis, sourcing and trials.
- Converted developed formulas into production formulas to prepare for manufacturing facilities.
- Developed extensions and improvements to food product lines.
- Communicated and negotiated with ingredient suppliers and vendors to order new ingredients.
- Mentored junior technologists in their career development, providing guidance on best practices within the industry as well as personal growth opportunities.
- Analyzed competitor products for benchmarking purposes, informing strategic decisions related to product development and positioning.
- Improved product quality by conducting rigorous laboratory tests and analyzing results.
- Improved product quality, nutritional value, color and texture.
- Conducted shelf-life studies on new product formulations to ensure optimal storage conditions and food quality throughout the life cycle.
- Optimized food safety protocols by regularly reviewing procedures, training staff, and staying updated on industry best practices.
- Evaluated emerging technologies within the food industry landscape to identify potential applications for improved efficiency or product innovation.
- Conducted nutritional analyses for various food products to ensure accurate labeling information and compliance with regulations.
- Implemented sensory evaluation techniques to gather consumer feedback on new products, leading to successful product launches.
- Troubleshot issues during the production process to maintain consistent product quality while minimizing downtime.
- Designed pilot plant trials of new formulations prior to full-scale production runs, ensuring smooth transitions between R&D stages.
- Reduced costs by conducting thorough ingredient sourcing analyses, negotiating with suppliers, and implementing cost-saving measures in the production process.
- Developed innovative food products through extensive research on ingredients, processing techniques, and consumer preferences.
- Presented technical findings and recommendations to company leadership during quarterly reviews, contributing to informed decision-making processes.
- Enhanced shelf life of perishable items by optimizing packaging materials and storage conditions.
- Assisted marketing teams in creating engaging product presentations for trade shows, resulting in increased brand exposure and potential partnerships.
- Demonstrated knowledge of industry best practices regarding labeling and packaging.
Education
Bachelor Of Technology Honours - Food Science And Technology
Chinhoyi University of Technology
ChinhoyiSkills
- Internal audits
- Continuous improvement
- Quality assurance management
- Audit coordination
- Document control
- Quality testing
- Attention to detail
- Quality systems
- Employee training
- Data analysis
- Project management
- Audit reporting
- Process analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Risk analysis and mitigation
- Documentation review
- Systems analysis
- Complaint investigation
- Product testing
- Validation techniques
- Quality standards determination
- Pre-implementation audits
- Quality assurance experience
- Product Inspections
- Process documentation
- Strong work ethic
- Critical thinking
- Staff supervision
- Product development
- Specification review
Timeline
Quality Assurance Manager
Thistlewood Products
10.2019 - 01.2025
Quality Control and Hygiene Supervisor
Rhodes Food Group
01.2018 - 09.2019
Food Technologist
MaBaker Pies
06.2014 - 12.2017
Bachelor Of Technology Honours - Food Science And Technology
Chinhoyi University of Technology