Erin E. Kirby
Milan
Summary
Experienced Quality Specialist and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, skilled in monitoring quality throughout the production process. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, implementing corrective actions, and conducting audits to uphold compliance and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing practices.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Quality Specialist
Ceco Door- Assa Abloy
Milan
09.2025 - 01.2026
- Monitor quality across the entire production cycle.
- Analyze quality data and perform root cause analysis.
- Implement and verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
- Handle NCR (Non-Conformance Reports) and manage complaint investigations and corrective actions.
- Lead and support internal, supplier, and raw material audits; assist in safety audits
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve process and product-related issues, enhancing overall quality.
- Trained and mentored production floor personnel and Quality Specialists Level 1 & 2, improving team competency in quality standards.
- Supported supplier and operations quality management initiatives, contributing to compliance and quality assurance.
- Contribute to process improvements and participate in Kaizen projects.
- Assist quality engineers with document control and tool calibration.
Quality Manager
Alfresco Pasta
Bells
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Recommended process improvements that enhanced quality control measures.
- Perform regular quality assessments on all incoming materials from vendors and outgoing products for shipping.
- Inspects food items and/or supplies for the purpose of verifying quantity, quality and specifications of orders and/or complying with mandated health standards.
- Work with the Plant Manager to resolve quality-related issues in a timely manner.
- Documented inspection outcomes through detailed reports, ensuring compliance and tracking performance.
- Trained production team on quality control standards, fostering a culture of product excellence.
- Conduct daily walkthroughs of the plant and SSOP daily.
- Review the closing checklist for every station making sure that sanitation is completed in a timely manner.
- Assist Plant Manager in organizing and managing day-to-day activities for plant operations.
- Provide training and guidance to workers to meet performance standards.
- Conduct OSHA training on existing employees and new hires, completing all documentation required.
- Work with Plant Manager to ensure all food safety Plan, HACCP Plan, FDA Plan are updated.
- Work the inventory management software to accommodate the plant's needs and update production output.
- Work with the operation specialist on setting up new vendors and new items on existing vendors.
- Support Plant Manager and Operation Specialist on hiring new staff and participate on interviews.
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Smuckers
Kansas
09.2016 - 05.2024
- A member of the department leadership team, required to provide strong coordination and teamwork both within and outside the department.
- Positively influence the quality and production teams to continuously improve existing food safety, quality, sanitation and food defense programs to assure compliance and continuous improvement of facility, equipment and plant practices to meet and surpass standards.
- Technical expert and owner over all laboratory equipment used at facility. This includes ensuring equipment is properly maintained and calibrated according to set schedules.
- Manage lifespan of lab equipment and coordinate with QA Manager to ensure lab equipment is upgraded and/or replaced as needed.
- Fully understands all quality tests performed by operators and quality teams and how to analyze company data hubs.
- Owner of multiple food safety, quality and sanitation related programs including mycotoxin, analytical testing, cGMP, etc.
- Provide coaching and support to quality and outside teams regarding lab equipment and other areas of ownership.
- Oversee reconciliation of all lab related invoices and purchase orders.
- Third party contractor scheduler and site contact for multiple food safety, quality and sanitation vendors such as calibration companies, cleaning-sanitation-janitorial companies, lab testing, etc.
- Ownership of multiple site and department electronic platforms.
- Responsible for maintaining testing standards and proper protocols for all tests performed.
- Develop, review and/or update facility food safety, quality and sanitation documents related to area of ownership as needed to ensure all teams are working off up-to-date information.
- Lead or participate in food safety, quality and sanitation related root cause analyses.
- Involved in developing, improving and training on food safety, quality and sanitation programs.
- Represent the department within cross-functional plant teams to assist and make recommendations for food safety, quality and sanitation improvements.
- Practice Managing by Walking Around (MBWA) to provide daily support to operation technicians utilizing Smucker Quality Management System (SQMS) tools.
- Assists Quality Assurance Manager in all internal and external quality and regulatory audits and ensure the facilities are maintained audit ready.
- Assist and support Quality Assurance Manager with internal, regulatory and company trainings, quality continuous improvement, food safety and/or quality programs (FSMA, BRC), analyzing consumer complaints and other food safety and quality areas of concentration, as needed.
- Proactive member of the Food Safety/Quality Pillar Team.
Process Technician
Berry Plastics
Lawrence
12.2012 - 02.2016
- Running a Thermoforming Machine. Responsible for maintaining line and producing quality product.
- Was also trained as a backup printing technician and in Quality Assurance.
Quality Assurance Technician
Smuckers
- Collecting and analyzing ingredients and product samples
- Interpreting and communicating test data in an effective and timely manner
- Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting all laboratory equipment.
- Verifying critical Quality and Food Safety tasks as they are completed to ensure compliance.
- Collecting and processing microbiological finished product samples
- Providing technical support for on-going projects and activities.
- Proficy Superuser
- Other duties and projects as assigned.
- PCQI Certified
Machine Operator
Smuckers
- Managed operations of treat packaging line at Milk Bone Brushing Chews, maintained smooth workflow and product quality.
Education
B.A. - Business Administration
Baker University
Baldwin, Kansas06-2026
B.S. - Chemical Engineering
Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, Kansas01-2012
Skills
- Quality assurance
- Compliance management
- Process improvement
- Team collaboration
- Data analysis
- Team collaboration
- Compliance management
Certification
- PCQI for Animal Food
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, 2ZWB6PoRUC
- OSHA 30-hour Occupational Safety and Health Training, 30-900273533
Timeline
Quality Specialist
Ceco Door- Assa Abloy
09.2025 - 01.2026
Quality Manager
Alfresco Pasta
06.2024 - 06.2025
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Smuckers
09.2016 - 05.2024
Process Technician
Berry Plastics
12.2012 - 02.2016
Quality Assurance Technician
Smuckers
Machine Operator
Smuckers
B.A. - Business Administration
Baker University
B.S. - Chemical Engineering
Johnson County Community College