Ana Maria Ortiz

Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Gay Lea Foods

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

About

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS • Project Management Certificate • Experience in Genesis R&D Food formulation and Labelling Software • Experience in auditing and managing co-packers • Experience in ice cream-gelato product development. • Innovative and creative, with strong analytical and organizational skills • Able to assimilate new applications and technologies very quickly • Demonstrated success in planning and completing large, complex projects

Experience

  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Gay Lea Foods
    Sep 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 10 mos

  • R&D -Product Developer at Chapmans Ice Cream
    May 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 2 mos

  • Business - Product Developer at Pomarosa Industries Inc
    Aug 2012 - Aug 2015 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    POMAROSA IND, GELATO-CAFE, Montreal 2012 – 2015 Product Development Business Development -Partner Involved in all aspects the entire start up process and in bringing the restaurant to its level of smooth operation including: • Initiating. - Developed and decided the concept • Planning. - Wrote the business plan found finance, permits and design. Sourced production equipment and raw material suppliers. • Developing -Research and development of food menu, gelato recipes, juices, smoothies, milk shakes and coffee blends. Managed ingredient functionality, recipe formulation within processing parameters. • Implementation. -Up scaled product formulations, Menu cost/price/yield analysis, and sourced labour requirements. On-going review of formulation and process parameters for improvement when needed. • Sourced and investigated new ingredients / technologies for potential application in future products

  • Weston Bakeries (10 yrs 8 mos)
    • Senior Compliance Coordinator
      Apr 2002 - Aug 2012 · 10 yrs 5 mos

      WESTON BAKERIES, TORONTO 2010-2012, 2008-2010, 2002-2005 Senior Compliance Officer, Food Safety, Regulatory Affairs. • Ensured Weston Bakeries, food co-packers, and supply chain distributors operated in compliance with food safety regulations and nutritional labelling standards • Completed co-packers Formula and Regulatory analysis for existing and new products. • Advisor to QA, R&D and sales departments’ interpreting Regulatory Compliance. • Achieved corporate goals to eliminate risks across co-packers by identifying and educating them on Food Safety, GMP and HACCP systems and procedures. • At the end of one year, 90% of co-packers were meeting standards with the latest CCP (Critical Control Points) monitoring and/or equipment upgrades. • Led mandatory audits and developed guideline/manual for all co-packers (GMP, HACCP, Quality Systems programs) • Analyzed and verified nationwide allergen program, auditing program and recall Program. • Completed and updated Product Specifications using various retailers’ databases. • Help to maintain Corporate Compliance verification processes and enforcing Food Safety/GMP’s, HACCP systems/procedures for AIB and BRC standards. • Supported Regulatory Affairs and performed Regulatory Labelling, allergen review, formula analysis and legality of claims for old products. • Using Genesis Program produced Nutrition facts table, Ingredient labelling, allergen and cautionary allergen labelling. • Reviewed and approved labelling artwork and pre-press approval. • Developed Corporate Food Safety auditing guide used for Warehouses, Distribution Centres and Depots. • Achieved Final and full Pest Control Implementation in 400 warehouses/Distribution Centers, Depots. • Complied with customers and corporate requisitions, addressing: Nutritional and labelling inquiries. Food Safety and Quality problems, following the complaint from the moment in which it was presented until it was solved to satisfaction, following corporate procedures.

    • Compliance Coordinator
      Jan 2002 - Apr 2005 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      Corporate Compliance Department- Weston Bakeries Complied with customers and Corporate requisitions, addressing:  Nutritional and labelling inquiries.  Food Safety and Quality problems, following the complaint from the moment in which it was presented until it was solved to satisfaction, following corporate procedures.  Prepare and present activity reports.  Worked in the implementation of the GMP (Good manufacturing Practices) processes at Weston Bakeries’ plants:  Verifying that each plant is complying with GMP  Reviewing GMP documentation and ensuring it was being verified regularly  Auditing co-packers and suppliers for GMP systems and following-up on the implementation of the required modifications

  • Compliance Coordinator Consultant at Johnvince Foods
    Aug 2011 - Dec 2011 · 5 mos

    Compliance Coordinator Current • Ensure co-packers operate in compliance with food safety regulations and nutritional labeling standards for existing and new products.