Catriona Norris
Sallins, Kildare
Summary
Dynamic Senior Food Safety Consultant enhancing safety protocols and compliance across diverse food sectors. Expert in safety audits and workplace inspections. Extensive knowledge and experience in food research and development. I am a passionate and skilled product development executive. With experience in coordinating new product development projects across various food categories. I've led teams towards significant safety improvements and successful new product launches. Known for strategic planning and effective team coaching, my approach has consistently elevated food safety standards, operational efficiency & delivery of high quality and innovative products to the market.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Food Safety Consultant Career Break Cover
Hygiene Management Systems
05.2023 - 12.2024
- Monitored changes to industry regulations, ensuring timely updates to company policies and procedures accordingly.
- Developed emergency response plans, ensuring swift and coordinated actions during crisis situations.
- Spearheaded regular safety committee meetings to discuss ongoing concerns, review incidents, and collaboratively develop solutions focused on continuous improvement initiatives.
- Increased employee awareness of safety hazards by developing and delivering engaging safety presentations.
- Develop and implement safety management systems
- Carrying out food safety audits inspections of restaurants, hotels, takeaways, nursing homes, manufacturing sites, warehouses etc, and providing recommendations to ensure they are compliant.
- Providing Consultation
- Development & deliver of training sessions to clients on food safety practices
- Compiling HACCP manuals and carrying out risk assessments specific to the operations of the business.
- Providing recommendations and advice for food business operators on food safety matters.
- Research and following updates in food legislation.
- Conducting detailed technical documentation reviews and ensuring compliance with EU regulations and standards
- Provide expert advice on compliance with food safety regulations.
- Prepare detailed reports and action plans based on audit findings.
- Stay updated with the latest regulations and industry trends.
- Liaise with regulatory bodies and stay informed on changes in legislation
- Management, support, coaching and guiding team of three team members
- Assist in recruitment by reviewing CV’s and conducting interviews. Assist and support the onboarding process for new employees.
Food Safety Specialist (Maternity Cover Contract)
Avoca
05.2022 - 05.2023
- Provided expert guidance on best practices in sanitation and hygiene, contributing to an overall improvement in facility cleanliness.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for staff, resulting in improved understanding of food safety regulations and practices.
- Partnered with management teams to develop action plans aimed at addressing identified weaknesses within their departments'' operations pertaining to food safety compliance.
- Conducted risk assessments for potential hazards, enabling proactive measures to be taken in maintaining high standards of food safety.
- Provision of guidance to the operations team on safety, law & labelling and quality-related matters.
- Supporting the operations team and assigned sites to ensure compliance with both law / labelling and company safety and quality standards.
- Maintenance of the safety management system (SMS), to include safety procedures, programmes and SOPs.
- Ensuring the FSMS is maintained up-to-date in line with legislative, industry and other developments.
- Undertaking site support visits and assessments, conducting food safety inspections and audits, facilitating external inspections and audits
- Lead trainer for food safety, hygiene and related training programmes
- Managing supplier approval programme to include reviewing supplier questionnaires, supplier risk assessments and review of supplier audit
- Management of environmental and product sampling and monitoring programmes.
- Maintenance of the traceability and product recall systems.
- Communicating with employees, suppliers, customers, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders on safety and quality-related matters.
- Investigation of food-related incidents and root cause analysis
- Product specifications, labelling, allergen management
- Working on assigned safety and quality projects, supporting premises refurbishment projects to ensure compliance with safety legislative requirements.
- Reporting to Senior Management and Directors on food incidents, EHO inspections, legislation development and implementation, compliance issues and food safety performance. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to increase efficiency and quality.
- Review and maintain new product development projects and launches to the market
- Liaise with internal design and marketing department on packaging and artwork design projects
- Assist in recruitment by reviewing CV’s and conducting interviews. Assist and support the onboarding process for new employees.
NPD & Technical Executive
Pan Euro Foods
04.2018 - 05.2022
- Analyzed data trends to identify areas for improvement, developing targeted strategies for growth.
- Conducted comprehensive system audits to evaluate performance, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend improvements.
- Tracked, analyzed and monitor technology performance metrics.
- Reduced operational costs through strategic resource allocation and streamlined workflows.
- Coordinate new product development projects across various food categories (retailer & food service).
- Work with suppliers and purchasing to ensure projects developed smoothly and on time.
- Liaise with existing and new suppliers to expand ranges.
- Ensure product specification, customer questionnaires and new launch listing forms are filled in and up to date.
- Support sales and commercial team on key customer presentations.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to increase efficiency and quality
- Liaise with design companies and suppliers on packaging and artwork design.
- New food concept development
- Ensure labelling and product packaging claims are accurate.
- External Supplier Audits and Inspections
- Attendance at first production runs and supplier meetings etc (mainly Europe)
Quality Technologist
Pasta Concepts and The Sauce Room
05.2016 - 04.2018
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Maintain supplier management process with detailed specification, risk assessment and approval records for all raw material, packaging and miscellaneous suppliers
- Review and evaluate suppliers to give feedback on performance and quality.
- Responsible for the document control and maintenance of the Quality Management System
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to increase efficiency and quality
- Update process documentation (checksheets and procedures)
- Full participation in external audits for food safety and quality audits for customers i.e. BRC, Organic
- Ensure raw material, process and finished product sampling programmes is scheduled and completed. Review and analysis all laboratory results and data.
- Maintain shelf life testing for all new product developments.
- Involvement and organisation of new product launches into the factory.
- Research of new products
- Responsible for full traceability of all finished product on site and all raw material supplier products
- Responsible for signing off all finished product food label
- Responsible for internal audit programme ensuring audits are carried out as per schedule and to customer standards
Customer Service Technologist
Panelto Foods
10.2012 - 10.2014
- Mentored junior team members to enhance their technical skills and improve overall team productivity.
- Coordinated inventory supplies and equipment to maximize team productivity.
- Reduced downtime for critical systems through proactive maintenance and timely troubleshooting.
- Conducted comprehensive system analysis to identify areas for improvement, leading to more streamlined operations and reduced costs.
- Attend internal & external meetings, organise post launch reviews after new products have been launched (retail & food service).
- Ensure all the existing products and new product launches remain consistent through bench marking activities with customers.
- Working closely with retail customers to ensure a smooth NPD path, smooth launch of all new products ensuring the customer is happy with new launch. Working closely on the floor to ensure the customers product is 100%.
- Maintain and generate both raw material specifications for the company and finished goods specification for customers. Specification competition for customers + proof reading & sign off on supplier specifications.
- Specification rationalisation & generation of new production check sheets.
- Assisted on internal and external audits and visit schedules. Assist QA manager on site with Audits (BRC & Retailer).
- Continual motoring verification to ensure all quality procedures are been met.
- Participation in all quality standards and customer audits / visits.
- To assist in the induction of new suppliers and customers to the business.
- Providing technical knowledge to relevant teams.
- Member of internal taste panel.
- Upkeep of all official documents relating to customers, quality, internal specifications and any additional paperwork requested by customers.
- Nominated to represent Panelto at Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 2014 to which we won award within the category: Bread – Small Breads & Rolls Award.
Food Technologist
Panelto Foods
05.2012 - 10.2012
- Introduced to new product development & nutrition
- Assist in preparation of NPD sample products
- Help in administration of NPD documentation (written & computer)
- Assist in product presentation customer & internal
- Assist in specific tasks in product & process improvement agendas
Education
Associate of Science - Food Science And Health
Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Louth, IrelandBachelor of Science - Food Innovation
Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Louth, Ireland10-2012
Skills
- Problem Solving
- Detailed Orientated
- Customer Service
- Cross functional collaboration
- Project Management
- Training & Development Co-ordinator
Timeline
Senior Food Safety Consultant Career Break Cover
Hygiene Management Systems
05.2023 - 12.2024
Food Safety Specialist (Maternity Cover Contract)
Avoca
05.2022 - 05.2023
NPD & Technical Executive
Pan Euro Foods
04.2018 - 05.2022
Quality Technologist
Pasta Concepts and The Sauce Room
05.2016 - 04.2018
Customer Service Technologist
Panelto Foods
10.2012 - 10.2014
Food Technologist
Panelto Foods
05.2012 - 10.2012
Associate of Science - Food Science And Health
Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Bachelor of Science - Food Innovation
Dundalk Institute of Technology.
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