Mrs Sophie SOUMAH                                                                                        207 Gloucester Place, London, NW1 6BU

MS in FOOD SCIENCE AND BIOCHEMISTRY                                           +44 796 863 9883 / +44 20 3384 0649 – [email protected]

WWW.SOUBALT.COM

SUMMARY & KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Food safety and quality management consultant with 15yrs+ experience in the food industry, in technical management related functions, I contributed to the securing of key account customers for United Kingdom (UK), Vietnamese and French Manufacturers.

With the experience of a wide range of products from chilled ready meals, dairies and produce; ambient confectionery and bakery, to frozen value-added sea food in the UK, I am an enthusiastic individual with service, excellence and integrity as core values.

Dedicated, thorough, and organized, customers’ satisfaction remains my key focus.

Key contributions:

¨     The delivery of BRC v7 for Food Safety Global Standard, Grade A in 5 weeks for Rosemary & Thyme.

¨     Developed an IFS Food internal audit program for EU and South East Asia Food trading companies

¨     Contributed to the securing of new and key account customers for Little Moons Ltd and Trangs UK.

¨     Contributed to the swift transition from indirect to direct supply of the UK multiples, for Rians-Laiteries H. Triballat.

¨     Contributed to the securing of new and key account customers and a business turn over increase by 10% for Robert Walker Food, with securing the BRC and Soil Association certifications, and delivering nut free organic products from nuts containing products processing site.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Food Safety Management

Food Safety Risk Assessment covering

·         HACCP study(ies) drafting: based on the company’ process flows, products categories and processing environments, and review with the HACCP team.

·         Pre-requites: review, advise and implement the monitoring tools; upgrade the QMS, train the staff.

·         Suppliers and Raw Material Risk Assessments: review and upgrade the systems using Campden Guidelines.

·         Allergen Risk Assessment:  review and challenge the processes from intake to finish products, against le labels declarations.

Audits readiness

Present a structured and organised action plan to prepare your second and third-party audits with emphasis on

·         HACCP review, validation and verification.

·         GAP Analysis and Internal Audit versus BRC v7, FSSC 22000, IFS Food, BRC& IFS Brokers, retailers COPs and Policies, and additional Standards you are aiming for.

·         Supplier Assurance Management system review, with raw materials and finish product specifications reviews.

·         Previous Audits Reports, Complaints Trends, Factory Audits, and Staff Training records reviews and analysis.

Food Quality Management

Review, structure and implement a consistent and organised quality management system, that is easy to maintain and to upgrade for compliance with BRC Global Standard for Food Safety v7, ISO 9001:2015 and FSSC 22000 v4. These include and are not limited to the

·         Quality, Procedures, and Crisis Management Manuals: review and upgrade when required.

·         Pre-Requisites, Good Manufacturing Practices and staff training programs: review and upgrade when required.

·         Traceability & Mass Balance procedures: challenge, review, upgrade to a robust traceability system when required.

·         Customers Complaints: trending review and staff training on “Root Cause Analysis” to help reduce the complaints trends.

Food Safety Compliance

With the experience of simultaneously launching multiple products for multiple retailers, the skills include and are not limited to

·         Critical path management versus customers’ briefs and deadlines.

·         Ingredients and recipes specifications reviews for Food Safety, Regulatory, Authenticity, and Quality Compliances

·         Packaging’s specifications reviews for regulatory compliance.

·         Factory trials sampling for food safety, shelf life, nutrition, and quality parameters assessment.

·         Post products launches reviews.

EDUCATION
Jan. 05   Masters in Food Science and Biochemistry, with distinction – Conservatory of Arts and Craft (CNAM) – Paris

Jun. 97   University Degree in Applied Biology, specialized in Food Industry – IUT Paul Sabatier – Toulouse III

TRAINING & COURSES
Aug 17   Allergen Awareness, Refresher Training & Food Labeling Regulation, Refresher Training Certificates

Feb 17    Train the Trainer Certificate

Feb 17    HACCP Level 4 Certificate

Feb 17    BRC Food Safety Issue 7 Understanding Vulnerability Assessment Courses

Feb 17    BRC v7 Voluntary Module 15 – FSMA Preventative Control Courses

Jan 17    BRC v7 Third Party Auditor Certificate

Jun.16    First Aid at Work Certificate

Oct 14    Internal Auditor Certificate

May 14  Food Safety Supervision for Manufacturing, Level 3 Certificate

CAREER HISTORY
Soubalt Ltd – Food Safety, Regulatory & Quality Management _ Freelance Consultant

Mar-May 18: Interim Technical Support, Monty’s Bakehouse, Surrey

Supporting the technical team with

_the definition and implementation of a quality assessment matrix, and Quality Control Points audit check list, at a third-party contract manufacturer, for the delivery of consistent finish products quality.

_BRC Agent & Brokers GAP Analysis and procedures reviews in preparation of the first certification audit

_implementation of a project tracker and, production trial and first production check lists, to increase visibility and the trials and 1st productions attendance efficiencies.

Nov 17-Feb 18: Interim QA` Manager, Hotel Chocolat, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

Supporting the QA team with BRC readiness

_ 20 Process Flows and HACCP Studies upgrades _ Products Authenticity & Claims Internal Audit

_ CCPs Metal Detection and Sieving validations

Apr.17-July 17: Food Technical Manager, DKSH France.

_ Global food supply chain regulatory compliance management for south east Asian products import into the EU.

_ Implemented the Group IFS Broker internal audit management system for DKSH Germany and South East Asia

Nov 16 – Dec 16: Technical Services Consultant, Greencore Ready Meals – Wisbech

_ Upgraded and implemented the Internal audits questionnaires versus BRC v7, ASDA, TESCO, CO-OP, and Greencore site & group Code of Practices. Clients: ASDA, Tesco, CO-OP.

Sept. 16: China Foreign Expert Conference, Food Safety Management, Laiocheng, Shandong Province.

_ As part of the Chinese Government foreign expert program, I exhibited a boot and met with local food manufacturers intending to export to Europe, on Food Safety compliance and Certifications Audits.

Aug 16: Harrods Ltd: Interim Food Technical and Quality Advisor

_ Provided action plans for export projects management and chocolates products supply chain management, to reduce products quality issues. Helped with the specification writing in line with the new labelling regulation.

Jun 16: China Foreign Expert Conference, Food Safety Management, Taian, Shandong Province.

_ As part of the Chinese Government foreign expert program, I exhibited a boot and met with local food manufacturers intending to export to Europe, on Food Safety compliance and Certifications Audits.

Feb – May 16: Quality Consultant_ Rosemary & Thyme Ltd. (ARDO Group)

_ Delivered BRC v7 Grade A certification within 5 weeks, with an improved performance vs. the previous year non-conformances. Obtained the full support of the teams through the implementation of an action plan allowing: the review of the Quality Management Systems with a GAP Analysis – the re-edition and review of the Quality Manuals, the Procedures, the Monitoring logs, and Staff training matrix.

_ Implemented the Supplier and Raw Materials risk assessment database and contributed to customer services satisfaction improvement. Clients: Marks & Spencer, Morrison, UK manufacturers.

Dec 15-Jan 16: Interim Specification Writer_ Kerry Foods Carrickmacross. Co._ Home based

_ Delivered Tesco’ online specifications editing, pack copy and artworks review for ready meals products.

Aug- Nov 15: Project Management_ Indigenous Prides Ltd.

_ Developed a “Hiking for charity” project with the identification, coordination and structuring of the itineraries with local tours operators, along with the review of the legal and health & safety requirements for the packaged holidays legal compliances.

Apr-July 15: Interim Technical Manager_ Halo Foods Ltd (Glisten Group)

_ Implemented the Supplier and Raw Materials risk assessment database, and the supply chain and process Vulnerability (VACCP) and Threat (TACCP) risk assessments databases.

_ Ensured the delivery of Gluten Free products by validated the Gluten Free processing area segregation with the conducting the cleaning validation, and the upgrading of the products testing schedules Clients: ASDA, Morrison, Coop, Boots, 7 Seeds, Nekd.

Jan-Mar 15: Interim Specification Writer_ Boulder Brands UK Ltd._ Home Based

_ Delivered Tesco’ online specifications editing, pack copy and artworks review for Gluten Free Bakery products.

Nov-Dec 14: Interim Internal Auditor_ The Pizza Factory, 2SFG

_ Conducted the Internal Audits and Systems reviews in preparation of the BRC v6 Certification.

_ Contributed to the attainment of BRC Grade A with improved performance. Clients: Costco, M&S and Tesco.

Sept 14: Interim Internal Auditor_ Southern Salads Ltd

_ Conducted the Internal Audits and GAP Analysis versus BRC v6 and the customers’ COPs, in preparation of customers’ audits. Clients: Subway, Yum’, Eat.

Jun-Aug 14: Interim Specification Writer_ S&A Foods Ltd

_ Delivered ASDA online specifications and artworks for ready meal products, along with the internal specification and pack copies for Picard. Clients: ASDA, Picard.

Mar –May 14: Interim Quality Management_ Bakkavor Meals London

_ Lead the night shift QA team and conducted factory GMPs & hygiene audits, complaints trend analysis and investigation for chilled ready meals and dip products. _ Ensured the follow-up of the pest control reports and managed products launch crisis. Clients: Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Co-Op, Greencore.

Nov. 12 – Feb 14: Technical Manager _ Little Moons Ltd.

Head of Quality Assurance and Food Safety management, I developed  and implemented the quality management system in compliance with the BRC v6, covering GAP analysis; QA manuals and procedures writing; HACCP review-verification and validation; traceability system review and challenges; redraws and recalls management; process monitoring; product sampling and testing, hygiene schedules, calibrations and maintenance schedules; pest control management; staff training, factories audits, specifications writing and labelling legal compliance review. I was the point of contact for customers, health authority’s queries, complaints, visits and audits.

Products: Frozen, chilled, Japanese desserts and Ice-creams, Ambient cakes and snacks. Clients: Wagamama, UK Chinese retailers and restaurants, Overseas traders: Union Trade (Italy), LX-France, La Maison Nordique, Greenhouse (UAE).

March – Sept. 12: Bilingual Technical Liaison Manager _ Rians-Laiteries H. Triballat, France (Home based)

UK Technical liaison manager, in charge with the smooth transition from indirect (agents) to direct supply of the UK retailers. Encompassing critical paths management; retailers’ online specifications writing and/or review, recipes and artworks legal compliances review for Chilled Continental Dairies, Desserts and Cheeses. Clients: Sainsbury, Tesco, ASDA, Morrissons, Waitrose, Co-Op, Aldi.

Sept 11 – Nov 11: Technical Compliance Officer_ Hotel Chocolat

Participated in the implementation of the products packing review system, in line with the monitoring and delivery of accurate and consistent finish products units to the own brand stores; for ambient chocolate confectioneries products.

Jan. 10 – Sept 11: Technical Liaison Manager _ Trangs UK Ltd, Vietnam Based Operations, London base office

In charge of customers, second party and third party audits compliances for frozen value added seafood. Reviewed and upgraded the food safety and quality management system i.e. review and help with the translation of the HACCP plan, Policies, Quality Manual, Procedures, Work Instructions, Hygiene Schedules, and Training Program – Conducted the Internal and factory audits.

Successfully delivered All audits and products launches, contributing to the securing of key accounts customers to both the UK and US business units. Products: value added sea food – Clients: Sainsbury, ASDA, Morrissons, Aldi, Costco, Brakes.

Dec 09 – Jan 10: Assistant Technical Development Manager_ Noon Products Windmill (Kerry Food),

Products specification writing and cooking validation for chilled ready meals products. Clients: Sainsbury, Tesco, ASDA, Morrissons, Waitrose, Co-Op, Aldi.

Jan. 09 – Oct. 09: Quality Manager _ Dina Foods Ltd, Park Royal, London_

Head of Quality Assurance and Food Safety management, I helped maintained the BRC Standards Grade A, improved the QM System, improved the score on the door to 5 stars, helped deliver compliant customers’ audits and successful products launches for Tesco’s All Year Around and Christmas products lines, for ambient confectioneries. Clients: Sainsbury, Tesco, Greencore, Bakkavor, 3663, Restaurants

Feb. 08 – Dec. 08: Quality Manager _ WR & SV Husseys Bakery, Mac Cambridge Group plc, Berkshire

Head of Quality Assurance and Food Safety management, I helped improve the site hygiene standard and contributed to the site and products compliance with the Environmental Health Authority standards, for ambient breads and pastries products.

Mar.06 – Feb.08: Quality Manager _ Robert Walker Foods Merchants T/A Tidman’s, Guildford _

Head of Quality Assurance and Food Safety management, I contributed to the site hygiene standard and food safety management system improvement in compliance with the Environmental Health Authority and BRC Standards. Successfully delivering a BRC Grade C, B and A in respectively in 3, 6 and 12months. Contributed to the site first Soil Association certifications and to the securing key account customers, with the delivery of nut free organic products from a nut handling site. Clients: Cadbury UK and Canada; Marks & Spencer.

LEASURE & OTHERS
Eco-Tourism, Hiking, Roller blade, Water sports, Live music – EU full driving license and personal car.