Ariel Rice

About Ariel Rice

I’m a quality systems manager with a passion for solving complex problems at the intersection of compliance, operations, and customer insight. With nearly a decade in the food industry, spanning plant-level QA, third-party audits, and corporate complaint systems, I’ve developed a reputation for bringing order to chaos and clarity to processes that impact both consumer trust and operational efficiency.Currently, I serve as Associate Quality Assurance Manager at The J.M. Smucker Co, where I help lead enterprise-level initiatives to elevate quality system performance across a national manufacturing network. My work spans customer complaint ownership, intake quality improvement, post-acquisition integration, and digital platform transitions.I focus on building systems that work in real life, not just on paper. Whether it’s streamlining complaint intake, developing SOPs that reflect how work actually gets done, or aligning plant operations with corporate quality standards, I lead with both precision and practicality.Cross-functional quality systems leadership • Root cause analysis and stakeholder alignment • Regulatory & GFSI audit preparedness • Complaint data analysis and executive-level reporting • SOP development and continuous improvement initiatives • Digital tools: Microsoft 365 (Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook), SharePoint, Power Apps, Emplifi (Astute), OneNote, Notion, SAP, EtQLately, I’ve felt a pull toward work that blends operational excellence with deeper purpose. I’m exploring how my experience in QA, complaints, and systems thinking could support missions in public health, behavior change, or human-centered compliance design.

Experience

1. Associate Quality Assurance Manager

   The J.M. Smucker Co.

   Aug 2023 — Present · Orrville, OH, US

   Drive quality systems excellence across Smucker’s multi-site manufacturing network, overseeing both corporate and plant-facing QA programs- Own the customer complaint system lifecycle—from intake through investigation—ensuring efficient triage, root cause alignment, and cross-functional resolution- Lead initiatives to improve intake quality, standardize processes, and elevate complaint data integrity through digital system transitions- Partner with regulatory, legal, and operations teams to embed compliance and quality standards across communication workflows and escalation protocols- Manage integration of complaint and quality workflows following the SBS acquisition, balancing legacy systems with enterprise alignment goals- Assist in quality audits, monitor key KPIs, and deliver insights to senior leadership to drive continuous improvement and prevent repeat issues- Lead cross-functional quality systems initiatives that blend complaint management, digital transformation, and regulatory alignment across a national production network.

Education

• The University of Akron

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Food & Environmental Nutrition

  2011 — 2015