Cynthia Potts has over 15 years of experience in quality assurance and continuous improvement roles in the food manufacturing industry. She has held roles such as Quality Assurance Specialist, Total Preventive Maintenance Specialist, and Quality Control Supervisor. Her experience includes implementing quality programs, conducting audits, root cause analysis, and training. She has a bachelor's degree in biology and certifications in supply chain management, total productive maintenance, performance-based training, and food safety auditing.

1. Cynthia Potts
14651 S. Kolmar, Midlothian, Ill. 60445
Mobile: 708-927-8183 | email: potts.cindy@gmail.com
Continuous Improvement Specialist:
Extensive Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement experience in driving Safety,
Quality, Productivity and Sustainability excellence in a Food Manufacturing Environment
Experience
UNILEVER – HELLMANN’S BEST / FOODS MAYONNAISE, CHICAGO, IL
QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST / 2014-2017
 Reviewed technician data for compliance to specifications and responded to non-conformances by issuing
notification to production, planning, DC and customer quality
 Quarantined product in warehouse and DC as required and submitted instructions for additional sampling,
testing, rework; dispositioned hold product for release, reconditioning or destruction
 Collaborated with maintenance, vendors, packaging technology and R&D to improve process for zero defects
 Assigned and coordinated cross functional teams for Root Cause Analysis of each non-conformance incident
 Participated in 5W1H, 5M, 5G, HERCA investigations and proposed corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for
quality improvement and zero defects
 Audited HAACP PRPs, OPRPs and CCPs programs for FSMA and FSSC22000 compliance
TOTAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE - FOCUS IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST / 2008-2013
 Translated TPM methodology into actionable and practical strategy for implementation and integration through
use of employee coaching, activity boards, visual controls, OPLs and SOPs to meet objectives
 Used TPM tools and techniques to eliminate down time, improve safety, production OEE and quality
 Gathered data and analyzed current state, developed flow charts and spaghetti diagrams for improvement of line
start- ups and change-overs
 Partnered with maintenance, engineering, supervision, material handling, vendors and shop floor associates to
utilize TPM tools of Autonomous Maintenance to identify sources of contamination and hard to access areas for
zero defects
 Aligned with maintenance and operators to restore equipment to basic conditions and implement changes to
sustain improvements and eliminate defects
 Worked under primary direction of TPM Maintenance Manager
TRAINING, LEARNING & EDUCATION SPECIALIST / 2004-2007
 Supported TPM Pillars in Safety, Health, Environment, Quality and Production improvement projects
 Developed Work Instructions, SOP, OPLs and training materials for shop floor
 Coordinated scheduling of trainers and student classes and administered aptitude testing for new hire employees
 Maintained training records and KPIs for employee training and collaborated with maintenance, vendors,
packaging technology and R&D to improve operator competencies
 Worked under primary direction of Human Resource Manager

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Relevant Experience
CPC INTERNATIONAL / BEST FOODS, CHICAGO, IL
QUALITY CONTROL SUPERVISOR – HELLMANN’S/BEST FOODS MAYONNAISE
 Supervised technicians in daily testing of packaging, ingredients, in-process and finished product quality
 Developed SOPs for analytical oil, micro and packaging labs
 Performed manufacturing plant ingredient and finished product mock recalls, GMP inspections, safety audits,
environmental audits and customer complaint investigations and resolutions
 Supported the Safety and Environmental Coordinator in hazardous chemical management, waste treatment
management, EPA reporting, safety committee administration and training
 Developed and supported training for GMP, HACCP, Food Safety and SPC for lab technicians and general plant
workforce
 Participated as inter-plant auditor for safety and quality improvement of other Best Foods plants
 Assigned and coordinated Quality Root Cause Analysis for each non-conformance incident
WALGREEN LABORATORIES, BEDFORD PARK, IL
ASSISTANT MANAGER QUALITY CONTROL – PLASTICS & LABEL DIVISION
 Implemented SPC program for quality improvement of injected and blow molded PE and PVC containers and
flexographic printed labels
 Minimized hazardous chemicals and trained employees in Haz-Com and Right-to-Know
WALGREEN LABORATORIES, CHICAGO, IL
PROCESS VALIDATION COORDINATOR, OTC LIQUIDS, CREAMS & TABLETS
 Optimized formulations through mix studies for content uniformity of active ingredients
 Observed and audited batch operators for formulation and procedural compliance, potential deviations,
protocol excursions and GMP compliance
 Validated analytical procedures for precision and accuracy
ANALYTICAL CHEMIST, QC LAB
 Performed QC analysis for batch products, customer complaints and stability testing
 Adjusted out-of-specification batches for rework
 Performed routine analytical analysis of OTC pharmaceuticals for quality control using UV/visible spectroscopy,
atomic absorption, GC/HPLC, fluorimeter, IR, dissolution, titration and wet bench techniques
 Approved raw materials and finished product for packaging
 Serviced laboratory equipment (calibrations, preventive maintenance, etc.)
Education and Certifications
ST. XAVIER UNIVERSITY / Chicago, IL / Biology, Bachelor of Arts
APICS (American Production & Inventory Control Society) / Basics of Supply Chain Certification
JIPM TPM (Japanese Institute of Production Management) / Facilitator and Instructor Certification
LUMINANCE, INC / Performance Based Training Certification
DNV BUSINESS ASSURANCE FOOD SAFETY SYSTEMS / ISO 22000 - FSMA Audit Certification

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