John Meola

About John Meola

Director of Operations & Food Safety | Food Facilities Management | FSMA, FSPCA & SQF CertifiedAs a results-driven operations leader and food safety specialist, I bring extensive experience in large-scale food manufacturing, with a focus on driving efficiency, ensuring compliance, and delivering exceptional quality. My career has been dedicated to building high-performing teams and implementing best-in-class systems that support consistent, safe, and innovative bakery production.Career Highlights:Food Safety Leadership: Certified in Safe Quality Food (SQF), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA), with deep expertise in implementing and maintaining comprehensive food safety programs.Operational Excellence: Proven record of optimizing production processes, improving yields, reducing waste, and maintaining consistent output across high-volume operations.Leadership & Team Development: Experienced in leading cross-functional teams across production, sanitation, logistics, and quality control to foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.Strategic Problem-Solving: Adept at identifying root causes, streamlining workflows, and implementing cost-effective solutions that enhance productivity and profitability.Regulatory Compliance: Skilled in developing, auditing, and sustaining food safety systems aligned with SQF, FSMA, and FSPCA standards, ensuring full regulatory readiness.Currently serving as Director of Operations and Food Safety for Creek Brook CML in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a state-of-the-art, fully automated donut processing facility supplying over 800 Dunkin’ locations. I oversee all aspects of production, quality assurance, and food safety while driving continuous improvement initiatives that uphold our commitment to excellence.Core Competencies:Leadership | Food Safety & Compliance | SQF Implementation | FSMA/FSPCA Standards | Automated Production Systems | Quality Assurance | Process Optimization | Continuous Improvement | Strategic PlanningI am passionate about leading teams to achieve operational excellence, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, and producing outstanding bakery products that meet the expectations of one of America’s most recognized brands.

Experience

1. Director of Operations and Food Safety

   Creek Brook Cml

   May 2025 — Present

   Oversee all operations of a state-of-the-art automated donut processing facility supplying more than 800 Dunkin’ locations across multiple states. Responsible for total plant performance, from production efficiency to food safety compliance, ensuring consistent, high-quality output that meets brand and regulatory standards.Key Responsibilities:• Lead all facility operations, including production, quality assurance, sanitation, maintenance, and logistics.• Oversee food safety programs and compliance with FSMA, SQF, FSPCA, and Dunkin’ brand standards.• Manage state, local, FDA, and brand audits; ensure continuous audit readiness and documentation accuracy.• Develop and deliver training programs for operations, GMPs, allergen control, and preventive controls.• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste, increase throughput, and strengthen process control.• Collaborate with executive leadership on production planning, staffing, cost control, and strategic expansion.• Maintain a strong culture of food safety, accountability, and operational excellence throughout all departments.

Skills

• Continuous Improvement
• Bakery
• Food Safety
• Lean Manufacturing
• Haccp
• Process Improvement
• Baking
• Food Manufacturing
• Operations Management
• Training
• Production Planning
• Food Quality
• Sqf
• Pastry
• Cake Decorating
• Food Industry
• Prims Automated Batch Control and Lot Tracking
• Microsoft Dynamics Mrp System
• Team Development
• 5s
• Line Balance
• Team Building
• Manufacturing
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (Haccp)
• Business Process Improvement