Sarah A. Foster

• Improved product quality by implementing rigorous testing protocols and identifying areas for improvement.
• Optimized supplier relationships through regular meetings and performance evaluations promoting continuous improvement in their delivery of materials or services.
• Served as a liaison between various departments such as engineering, manufacturing, and sales during product development stages to ensure seamless communication around quality considerations.
• Spearheaded root cause analysis efforts on critical non-conformances from both internal audits and external customer feedback leading to swift resolution and prevention of future occurrences.
• Conducted thorough risk assessments on new products or processes prior to implementation, minimizing potential adverse impacts on product quality or safety.
• Contributed to budget development and resource allocation within the quality department, enabling an efficient use of resources in alignment with organizational objectives.
• Managed cross-functional teams to achieve project goals within tight deadlines, leading to successful product launches.
• Delivered comprehensive training on company quality policies and procedures to new employees, while providing ongoing guidance to existing staff for continued adherence.
• Collaborated with suppliers to improve raw material quality, resulting in fewer production issues and higher overall product quality.
• Created testing protocols to be used across product lines.

• Managed all aspects of Nestle Purina’s Supply Chain Transparency Project (GSQA)
• Collaborated with EMNS business partner on development of software for Supply Chain Mapping and Supplier Data Capture
• Training Development
• Collaborate with many other functional groups in the development, execution and implementation of GSQA
• Project and system admininistrator
• Worked closely with clients to understand their unique needs and develop tailored approaches that provided meaningful insights into their specific challenges.
• Evaluated third-party analytical tools and software solutions, making recommendations for adoption where relevant.
• Identified trends and patterns in data to inform strategic decision-making across the organization.
• Streamlined data collection processes for more efficient analysis and reporting.
• Conducted comprehensive data audits, identifying and addressing discrepancies for improved overall quality.
• Trained team members on best practices for data analysis, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Evaluated performance metrics against established benchmarks, highlighting opportunities for growth or optimization.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate data representation and interpretation.
• Reduced time spent on manual tasks by automating various aspects of the analytical process.

• Lead team member for quality stream for seven factory SAP implementations for diverse business units and processes including Nutrition, Beverage, and Prepared Foods divisions in Nestle USA
• Project management for GLOBE project quality management from mapping and testing through execution and implementation and support
• Delivering training and coaching all levels of management and end users on QM SAP functionality
• SPOC (Single point of contact) for QM SAP role authorization and information and QM master data for NUSA
• Provide end user support and troubleshooting

• Incoming Goods Specialist - Raw material specification creation and revision in multiple systems including SAP and IRIS
• Creation and implementation of incoming goods program in compliance with NQS
• In addition to developing action items to address quality concerns such as consumer complaints, cross contamination and foreign material control
• Oversaw Kosher compliance
• Managing quality holds and communication to distribution centers
• Creating and updating documentation such as QMSs, SOPs, and training presentation

In process quality and laboratory tests

Positive release of finished products

Sensory