Asif Meraj, Manager QA/QC, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs

Asif Meraj

Manager QA/QC, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs

Iftekhar Ahmed and Co.

Location
Pakistan - Sargodha
Education
Doctorate, Food Technology
Experience
21 years, 8 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :21 years, 8 Months

Manager QA/QC, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs at Iftekhar Ahmed and Co.
  • Pakistan - Sargodha
  • My current job since April 2015

• Coordination and Supervision - Plan, organize, direct and run optimum day-to-day operations.
• Best Practices - Formulate and implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures to maximize output.
• Quality Enhancement - Lead QA/QC and R&D departments to enhance the quality of all incoming and outgoing products beyond the customer satisfaction level.
• Human Resources - Establishment of organizational structure; delegation of tasks and account abilities.
• Communication - Monitor, manage and improve the efficiency of support services such as IT, HR, Accounts and Finance. Facilitate coordination and communication between support functions.
• Strategic Input - Liaison with Board and Assist in development of strategic plans for operational activity.
• Risk Management - Oversee organizational insurance policies. Ensure health and Safety committee meetings are held and tasks assigned.
• Financial - Review financial statements and data. Prepare and control operational budgets. Recommend effective strategies for the financial well-being of the IAC.

Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager) at HALEEB FOODS LIMITED
  • Pakistan - Lahore
  • May 2014 to April 2015

• Managed and directed all the company's quality program to ensure continuous production & service, consistent with established quality & food safety standards.
• Actively participated in new product development cycle from idea phase to on time launches of dairy and Juice products.
• Developed a comprehensive world class quality and food safety system to support the achievement of the company polices and business objectives.
• Developed new and alternate supplier of both raw and packaging materials.
• Conducted Machine trials and post launch evaluation in extended supply chain.
• Enhanced supplier capability through supplier development projects.
• Identified and delivered trainings to staff on Quality, Food Safety, GMP, Hygiene, Microbiology etc.
• Handled quality complaints & investigated root causes of quality issues to take effective action.
• Managed resource allocation, ensuring delivery of goals within budget.
• Responsible for Quality control throughout the company and ensure the safe product delivery to consumer according to intended use
• Improved QC system, QC operational strategy and statistics systems to control the processes.
• Coordinated in development of QM module of SAP for Quality assurance department of HFL.

PRODUCTION MANAGER at NOON PAKISTAN LIMITED
  • India
  • January 2011 to April 2014

Pioneers in dairy products of Pakistan)

Job Responsibilities:

•Review production plan and implement/direct operations for the production of the required products.
•Ensure to run lines with maximum outputs by increasing their efficiency and reducing down time.
•Increase the quality and hygiene awareness among production staff while working.
•Make sure that products comply with the set standards and regulations. Company is certified to ISO 22000:2005, FSSC 22000:2013 and Halal Certifications.
•Co-ordinate with the concerned departments on solving any process related issues.
•Maintain an effective employee guidance and motivation program to improve plant productivity and profitability.
•Evaluate equipment conditions on a regular basis and co-ordinate with maintenance on overhauling of machines to ensure efficient process plant operations.
•Produce the required volume of products on time at minimum cost and as per specifications.
•Conduct training programs for key production personnel and supervisors to raise their efficiencies and skills for higher responsibilities.
•Ensure that non-conforming products are reported, held and disposed in a proper manner.
•Establish and maintain safety awareness to prevent or minimize industrial accidents.
•Update management with timely and accurate reports on process department progress and needed projects for improvement.
•Involve other departments on any process difficulty that require their input to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
•Take part in new product development projects

PRODUCTION MANAGER at NOON PAKISTAN LIMITED
  • Pakistan
  • January 2008 to December 2010

Job Responsibilities:
•To supervise the production executives and help them to carry out shift activities regarding batch processing and packing.
•Keep eye on machines efficiency and coordinate with tetra pak and maintenance staff to follow PMS schedules strictly.
•Ensuring that products are produced in a timely manner and are produced within quality guidelines
•Maintain the production data and prepare daily input output reports.
•Provide monthly loss and gain report of production processes to the higher management.
•Management representative for ISO 22000-2005 (FSMS) FSSC 22000:2010.
•Carry out frequent audits regarding food safety, hygiene, document verification etc, to conform ISO 22000-2005 and FSSC 22000:2010 being team leader food safety team.
•Identifying training needs, and ensuring proper training is provided
•Foreseeing potential problems before they happen and Liaising among different departments also working with department heads to uphold and implement policies and goals

ASSTT. MANAGER QA at NOON PAKISTAN LIMITED
  • Pakistan
  • June 2006 to December 2007

Monitor research and development programmes to meet organizational needs and to capitalize on potential new products.
•Gather information, data and samples in order to test them and find the best method, material or product to use for an application.
•Writing summaries of structural tests, presenting product performances to R&D Manager and preparing process manuals and guidelines.
•Ensure compliance with GMP, GLP guidelines.
•Maintain QA documentation & Review SOPs.
•Monitoring and implementing compliance of the plant's Food Safety plan.
•Conducting Quality Assurance operations, ensuring the high quality standards.
•Release raw material and finished products through physical checks and QC data.
•Develop QC test method, validation reports and corrective and preventive action for QC laboratory.
•Staffs training ensuring manufacturing and plant hygiene standards are adhered within the workplace.
•Liaison with local & international regulatory authorities including PSQCA, BVC etc.
•Develop quality improvement plans for supplier and approve supplier by appropriate rating.
•Review and approve production and process control Standard Operating Procedures

at NOON PAKISTAN LIMITED
  • Pakistan
  • June 2004 to June 2006

Organize and monitor food safety, hygiene and housekeeping, production and maintenance activities carried out in a shift by utilizing staff accordingly.
•Prepare daily production, wastage and stoppage reports and arrange packing material required as per production plan.
•Save energy by utilizing machinery without wasting time and manpower.
•To ensure the parameters of all running equipment are according to standard.
•To ensure and organize the safety and security measures taken by the management

QUALITY CONTROL OFFICER at NOON PAKISTAN LIMITED
  • Pakistan
  • September 2002 to June 2004

Job Responsibilities:
•Check the quality of raw milk, Ingredients, packaging materials incoming to the factory.
•Calibrate the equipment used in analysis of milk products, juices and nectars.
•Check the quality of finished products as per recommended specifications.
•Prepare and standardize chemical solutions for day to day analysis.
•Standardize and process the batches of UHT milk, UHT Cream, pasteurized milk, butter, Cheese, SMP, FCMP, Desi Ghee and Juices.
•Deal with quality related market complaints and give suitable measures for the improvements of quality

Education

Doctorate, Food Technology
  • at University Of Sargodha
  • December 2016

Recent advances in Food Science and Technology, Dairy Technology, Dairy Processing,

Master's degree, Food Technology
  • at University of Agriculture Faisalabad
  • January 2002

Bachelor's degree, Agriculture
  • at University of Agriculture Faisalabad
  • January 2000

High school or equivalent, Biology, Chemistry and Physics
  • at Government College Sargodha
  • September 1995

Specialties & Skills

Research Projects
Production Efficiency
Quality Assurance
ISO 22000
Managerial Experience
MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
PACKAGING
PROCESS ENGINEERING
QUALITY
QUALITY CONTROL
BUDGETING

Languages

English
Expert
Urdu
Expert
Punjabi
Native Speaker

Training and Certifications

Lead Auditor HACCP (Certificate)
Date Attended:
August 2020
BRC (UK) Certified Lead Auditor (Certificate)
Date Attended:
May 2009