Jorge Rodríguez

• Develop & execute technical services strategies aligned with business goals.
• Lead the Quality, Regulatory, and Analytical Departments.
• Ensure products and processes comply with Regulatory Standards.
• Drive Commercial Business Strategy.
• Serve on the Executive Leadership Board.
• Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative flavor solutions and fragrance applications.
• Implemented strategic initiatives to enhance product portfolio alignment with market trends.
• Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.

Provide leadership at the Maryland Logistics Center for the Quality Assurance and Food Safety function to ensure product safety, integrity, and conformance with Customer, Divisional, Corporate and Regulatory requirements.

• Implement and lead site Quality objectives and KPI targets. Use Quality objectives and KPI targets as benchmarks to standardize Metrics across the Regional Distribution and Logistics network.
• Maintain compliance with Corporate Quality Assurance Policies and customer quality satisfaction through the implementation and use of programs to control raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products.
• Proactively lead initiatives to continuously improve the Quality performance within the site by identifying and implementing key performance indicators for Quality and Food Safety and leading initiatives to improve the performance.
• Mentored QA team members, fostering professional growth and enhancing skill sets.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address quality issues and drive improvements.
• Play an active role as a member of the Site’s Operations Leadership Team.

• Partner with cross functional partners to assess, prioritize, manage, and support projects, customer needs, regulatory requirements, and standards compliance.
• Manage product trials, commercialization of new products, and first productions at contract manufacturing sites.
• Established product specifications and quality assurance practices.
• Led quality assurance initiatives to enhance product integrity and compliance with industry standards.
• Developed and implemented quality control procedures to optimize operational efficiency across Contract Manufacturers.

• Developed and implemented quality management systems to enhance product safety and compliance.
• Support Plant Leadership Team on executing Continuous Improvement and Capital Projects.
• Co-lead the site’s Process Change Management.
• Develop Technical and Leadership skills of the QA Department and the site cross-functional JTE Teams.
• Lead Auditor for Distribution Center and Production Sites.
• Led cross-functional teams in executing quality audits, ensuring adherence to industry standards.

• Managed Food Safety & Quality Programs for 2 manufacturing facilities.
• Member of Plant Leadership Team accountable for implementing Operational Improvement and Capital Projects.
• Managed Regulatory Program, Supplier Approvals, and Customer Quality Assurance.
• Recall and Crisis Management Coordinator.

• Ensure operational compliance with HACCP and USDA-FSIS guidelines.
• Manage Site SQF/GFSI Program Compliance.
• Lead and coordinate internal and external resources to identify Process Improvements in Production, Product Development and Packaging Processes.
• Monitor Microbiological Testing Program and Production Sanitation.
• Streamlined processes for non-conformance reporting to improve response times and corrective actions.

• Specialize in prepared foods and snacks manufacturing for retail customers.
• Specialize in large batch food manufacturing, producing 4000 gallons of soup, stocks and sauces per shift.
• Execute installation and operation of new production lines.
• Developed over 100 new products.
• Commercialized 50 new items, including labor hiring and training, and equipment costs needed for the launch.
• Increased productivity by 180% by automating line flow and minimizing change over time.