Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Timeline
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Russell Callaghan

Reservoir

Summary

I am a dedicated and insightful Quality professional with extensive experience in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry. Leveraging a strong background in microbiology and biochemistry, I have consistently led high-performing teams to achieve exceptional standards in product quality and safety. Known for my unwavering commitment to excellence and my ability to drive continuous improvement, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to any Quality role. I also have a great sense of humour, and I am not afraid to use it.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Food Safety and Quality Leader ANJ

Kraft Heinz
09.2014 - 10.2024
  • Company Overview: Kraft Heinz is an American multinational food company. Kraft Heinz is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth-largest in the world with over $26.0 billion in annual sales as of 2024. Its manufacturing footprint is Global across North and South America, UK and Europe, Asia and Oceania.
  • Drive Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) strategy development across ANJ and be key in developing strategy for international and Global FSQ
  • Supplier and Co-pack Food Safety and Quality- Drive compliance with the Supply Chain Quality Management (SCQM) & Co-pack team. Ensure audits are performed at specified frequencies.
  • Implementation and enforcement of Kraft Heinz global quality standards and technical policies across ANZ Business Units. Ensure all areas deliver FSQ improvement plans to agreed timelines.
  • Drive risk mitigation for complaints using analysis to determine type of complaints (e.g., intrinsic/extrinsic foreign matter) and develop, implement plans to prevent, reduce or eliminate including CAPEX Solutions.
  • Use Key Performance Indicators to identify areas of focus and drive improvement.
  • Interface with R&D, procurement, Operations, and all other functions that may impact on Food Safety and Quality
  • Represent the FSQ and technical business functions to external bodies, customers & regulators.
  • Interact with Regulatory agencies, ensuring that regulatory compliance is in place.
  • Monitor and enforce compliance with all relevant food safety standards, laws, and customer requirements throughout the region.
  • Put processes and teams in place to manage crises / special situations in the region.
  • Ensure sites compliance to Internal and External Food Safety Requirements are being met and improved on.
  • Ensure all serious incidents and near misses are investigated and communicated, with actions related to root cause being identified and closed out.
  • Develop staff by using a program of coaching/mentoring to expand the capability of the FSQ team and provide succession opportunities for future advancement.
  • Key Achievements
  • 70 % + reduction in Factory Controllable Consumer Complaints from 2014 through to 2024.
  • Significant increases in Right First Time throughout the Region.
  • Zero Recalls in 10 years for the Business.
  • Development and Implementation of Global Food Safety and Quality Programs designed to reduce, prevent or eliminate food safety and quality incidents and non-conforming products.
  • Implementation of risk reduction processes including root because analysis tools within business units to prevent, reduce or eliminate serious food safety and quality problems from arising.

FOOD SAFETY RISK MANAGER

HJ HEINZ
12.2007 - 09.2014
  • Company Overview: HJ Heinz is an American food processing company headquartered Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company was founded by Henry J. Heinz in 1869. Heinz manufactures food products in plants on six continents and markets these products in more than 200 countries and territories. Heinz ranked first in ketchup in the US with a market share more than 50%. HJ Heinz was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway and the Brazilian investment firm 3G Capital for $23 billion. This later formed Kraft Heinz as previously documented.
  • Responsible for development, implementation and maintenance of food safety and quality risk management across the Heinz Australia Business portfolio, incorporating Heinz Business Units, Co-packers, and Vendor profiles. This included risk mitigation strategies, CAPEX development, Auditing and Compliance of Business units throughout the globe.
  • Key Achievements
  • Regional representative on Heinz Global Risk Management Team, Heinz co-pack and vendor team
  • Developer of the QRMP risk assessment template utilised by Heinz Globally across 79 sites
  • Developer of QRMP lite assessment template utilised globally across 325 co-packers.
  • Developer of Vendor and Packaging auditing template utilised globally across 14,000+ suppliers
  • Developer of the Heinz International Sterilisation and Pasteurisation Audit tool
  • Winner of Heinz Exceptional Contributor Award – 2008
  • Winner of Heinz Global Document Collaboration Award 2009.
  • Team member of Heinz Integration Process for new acquisitions
  • Team member of the Heinz Culture Champions for Quality Base out of Heinz Australia Head Office.
  • Conducted thorough analysis of historical data, helping identify patterns and trends in potential risks.
  • Developed strong relationships with internal stakeholders, promoting a culture of risk awareness and accountability.
  • Conducted regular audits of existing policies and procedures, ensuring their continued effectiveness in addressing organizational goals related to mitigating risks.
  • Evaluated emerging risks in the market through continuous monitoring and research, enabling proactive response measures.
  • Trained employees on risk management best practices, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding potential risks.
  • Enhanced risk identification processes for early detection and mitigation of potential threats.

Vendor Improvement Manager

H.J. Heinz Ltd
09.2002 - 12.2007
  • Company Overview: Company Profile as Above.
  • Primarily responsible for the development of the Heinz Australia Vendor and Co-packer Guidelines and Audit System including creation, documentation, implementation into Heinz Australia Quality Management System
  • Auditing of over 180 Co-packer, Food and Packaging ingredient suppliers based throughout Australia and New Zealand. Ensuring compliance to the requirements of the Heinz Co-packer Manuals and Heinz Australia Vendor Guidelines.
  • Significant experience in auditing of manufacturers of foods inclusive of the following preservation processes: thermal processing, pasteurisation, freezing, chilling, drying and baking across Australia, Thailand, Yemen, Malaysia, Poland
  • Risk analysis of food safety and quality issues with ingredient supply and Heinz manufactured products and the potential impact on Heinz.
  • Investigation of in-process issues, foreign bodies in food, Health Department inquiries and troubleshooting where required.
  • Development for food safety templates for ingredient and co-packer suppliers to assist with food safety programs.
  • Training of internal staff in food safety and quality auditing
  • Key Achievements
  • Risk analysis and troubleshooting for Heinz sites, co-packers, ingredient suppliers for food safety and quality.
  • Became the ANZ accountable person for audit protocol development which later was picked up globally by Heinz. Technical backup and resources for co-packers and vendors alike.
  • Development of the Heinz Audit and Approved Supplier Rating System allowing greater focus for vendors needing assistance with their quality programs.
  • Strengthened vendor relationships by maintaining open communication and promptly addressing any concerns or issues.
  • Implemented an efficient vendor management system that streamlined operations and reduced administrative workload.

Senior Food Safety Auditor

Food Operations
03.2000 - 09.2002
  • Company Overview: Food Operations was an Australian 3rd party Food Safety and Quality Certification Company with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. It specialised in providing services and solutions to help organizations manage risk, achieve compliance, and drive business improvement through access to standards, regulations, and legislative information, offering services like auditing, certification, and training across various industries, with a primary focus on facilitating compliance with technical requirements and regulatory obligations worldwide. Food Operations was taken over by NCSI (Another 3rd Party Certification Company) in 2003. NCSI was then taken over by BSI in 2014.
  • Responsible for the auditing of businesses according to either Burger King, ANZFA (FSANZ) 3.2.1, WVQMS, VMA, Spotless, Food Safety Victoria Codex HACCP or other recognized standards using the principles of HACCP including Risk assessment.
  • Perform, GAP analysis, Hygiene, Desk, systems and verifications audits and compliance audits throughout Australia and New Zealand.
  • Key Achievements
  • Detailed understanding of HACCP, with both food safety and quality aspects. Ability to ‘think on feet’ and to think in advance of requirements and advise giving guidance to customers. Good troubleshooting skills.
  • Excellent knowledge of requirements of Standards such as Burger King, Spotless Woolworths and ANZFA (FSANZ) food requirements. Excellent personal skills with clients ranging from General Managers to Quality assurance staff to shop floor workers. Prioritization of workloads to achieve excellent efficiency.

Education

Post Graduate Diploma - Clinical Biochemistry

Griffith University
Brisbane, QLD
01.1996

Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Genetics

Griffith University
Brisbane, QLD
01.1991

Skills

  • Windows and MS Office Suite
  • Quality management systems
  • Supplier quality management
  • Problem-solving
  • Supplier relationship management
  • Performance monitoring
  • Excellent communication
  • Team collaboration
  • Operational efficiency

Interests

  • I like trying new recipes and food trends
  • Food Tourism
  • Tech enthusiast, passionate about exploring the latest advancements and innovations
  • Supporting STEM education initiatives and mentorship programs
  • Dj'ing ( when Possible!)

Timeline

Food Safety and Quality Leader ANJ

Kraft Heinz
09.2014 - 10.2024

FOOD SAFETY RISK MANAGER

HJ HEINZ
12.2007 - 09.2014

Vendor Improvement Manager

H.J. Heinz Ltd
09.2002 - 12.2007

Senior Food Safety Auditor

Food Operations
03.2000 - 09.2002

Post Graduate Diploma - Clinical Biochemistry

Griffith University

Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Genetics

Griffith University

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Russell Callaghan