Andre Kings

Experience

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  NIPPON MEAT PACKERS OAKEY ABATTOIR

  Jan 1993 - Aug 1995

  Laboratory Manager

  Professional Experience:• Microbiological Laboratory ManagerAchievements of Note:• Set up microbiological testing laboratory where there was no previous testing done• Testing program and methods for Japanese customers, including McDonald’s • High count bacterial loads reduction project (reduced bacteria counts by over 90%)

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  ALS Laboratory

  Aug 1995 - Dec 1997

  Quality Control Chemist

  Professional Experience:• Quality Control Chemist: Minerals Assay and WearCheck Petroleum Laboratories (1995-1997) • ALS is a NATA accredited laboratory. My role was to ensure that NATA standards were archived in these areas and maintained.Achievements of note:• Bauxite testing project reducing retests from 20% to 5%• Sodium in jet fuel project: After extensive trials rewrote the method to give repeatable reliable results ensuring a working method• Validation of Methods Project to comply with customer requirements Show less

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  PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand - Smiths snack foods

  Apr 2000 - Jan 2003

  CENTRAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

  Professional Experience:• Overseeing the quality parameter of a shift of an FMGC product• Developing a complaint system to identify areas of high errorAchievements of note:• Instigated a new consumer complaint database• Conducted project in reducing consumer complaints, outcome was a reduction in unsealed bags and complaints by 23%• Worked with the team to improve the American Institute of Bakers audit score by 85%

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  Comgroup Supplies Pty Ltd

  Jan 2003 - May 2008

  Technical Manager

  Recognised for performance and contributions, and rewarded with promotion from Quality Assurance Officer (Qld), to Technical Manager (WA Plant), and Quality Assurance Manager Australia (Qld-based). Emphasis on continuous improvement resulted in reduced audit frequency, delivering time and cost savings; halved testing costs via streamlined procedures and negotiation of prices; reduced final product microbiological counts by checking raw materials and removing sub-standard suppliers; minimised water usage, significantly improving trade waste counts and cost to council. Contributions & Highlights: ◆ Audit: Managed all external audits: AQIS US Listing, HALAL, Organic (NASSA NOP Accreditation), Coles SQF 2000, Burger King, US Armed Forces, Yum, and specific country export requirements across both sites. ◆ Quality System & Certification: Implemented the NOP organic program, incorporated new legislation and requirements into the quality system, and drove the delivery of training in Certificates II and III in Food Safety Production for 15 staff across two sites. Show less

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  Preistleys Gourmet Delights and Melba

  May 2008 - Apr 2010

  Quality Manager

  Managed quality across the Australian operation and provided advice and support to the New Zealand branch. Led a team of quality controllers ensuring compliance in a complex, multi-step baking process with multiple points of traceability of product to consider. Contributions & Highlights: ◆ Audit & Quality Performance: Improved audit result from 72% to 92% through effective management of the quality system. ◆ Business Improvements: Reduced microbiological testing by 60% with no impact to quality, and reduced waste by 50%, which generated significant cost savings. Show less

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  IMT Food Services

  May 2010 - Jan 2011

  QUALITY AND R&D MANAGER

  Managed research and development, organic certification, Woolworths, Coles and AUSMEAT accreditation, and AQIS audited export functions of the business. Contributions & Highlights: ◆ Quality System: Overhauled quality processes and implemented structured systems to regain export licence following suspension. ◆ Research & Development: Created and implemented an effective R&D system, and assisted in the development and launch of products into new markets that included Metcash (IGA and 7Eleven), Coles and Hogsbreath Cafes. Show less

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  Sunny Queen Australia

  Jan 2011 - Feb 2016

  National Technical Manager

  Managed technical and quality assurance programs across the shell egg division several supplier farms, value added facility and pulp plant, including approved suppliers and transportation accreditation. Led state business units, including the New South Wales facility with its own export accredited food authority licence and HACCP system. As a member of the senior management team, represented the technical department at monthly board and management meetings, and made valuable contributions to the building committee during the planning and construction of two new facilities. Contributions & Highlights: ◆ Quality System: Played an integral role in the transition from a rudimentary quality system to a new facility with highly respected standards, including SQF 2000, McDonald’s, ISO 9001 and Woolworths 8 accreditation, and was instrumental in the delivery of audits with no major corrective actions. Implemented leading hand structure and weekly quality meetings, driving significant improvements in communication.◆ Quality Control (Farms): Held regular meetings with personnel across supplier farms to monitor customer and supply issues, document complaints and feedback, and resolve quality issues. Implemented quality standards and drove compliance via proactive staff training and mentoring. ◆ Quality Control (Value Added Facility): Rebuilt the quality system to meet export, Safe Food and Subway requirements, and championed the development of daily paperwork packs that were signed by supervisors and quality technicians to ensure compliance. Contributed to the design and construction of a new, world-class facility, successfully gaining certification.◆ Leadership: Established teams and championed the application of lean accounting/manufacturing systems to minimise costs and waste, initiated the formation of farm teams to address free range quality issues, and introduced cross-functional farm meetings to achieve higher yield and consistent high quality for customers. Show less

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  One Harvest

  Mar 2016 - May 2022

  National Technical Manager
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  AUS-MEAT Limited

  May 2022 - now

  Program Manager