Thomas Depaola

About Thomas Depaola

With over 16 years of leadership experience in food safety and quality systems—primarily in high-paced, large-scale bakery operations—I’ve built a career on precision, process, and people. I thrive in environments where every detail matters and timelines are tight, consistently delivering results through strong organization, follow-through, and a proactive, get-it-done attitude. I\'m not just certified—I train the trainers. I\'m an International HACCP Alliance Accredited Trainer, FSPCA Lead PCQI Trainer, ISO Lead Auditor Certified, BRC Internal Auditor Certified, Food Defense Certified, and yes, even a Forklift Trainer. Whether it’s supplier approval systems, FDA labeling regulations, or lean process improvements, I bring both classroom knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. I’m also an out-of-the-box thinker who’s passionate about continuous improvement and making complex systems more efficient. I bring energy, clarity, and a solutions-first mindset to every challenge. Let’s just say: if it touches food safety, quality, or compliance—I’ve probably built a system for it, led a team through it, or trained someone on it.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President of Food Safety & Quality Systems

   Strictly From Scratch

   Sep 2008 — Present · Phoenix, AZ

Education

• University of Advancing Technology

  Bachelor's degree, Game and Interactive Media Design

  2014 — 2018

• AIB International

  Food Safety

  2010 — 2011

• San Francisco Baking Institute

  Certificated, Bakery

  2018 — 2019

Skills

• Product Development
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Food Safety Management System
• Quality Control
• Food Processing
• Sqf
• Food Technology
• Supply Chain
• Frozen Food
• Food & Beverage
• Lean Manufacturing
• Iso
• Ingredients
• Dairy
• Inventory Management
• Quality Management
• Food Safety
• Chocolate
• Brc
• 5s
• Sensory Evaluation
• Purchasing
• Food Quality
• Dairy Products
• Food
• Bread
• Food Manufacturing
• Fmcg
• Food Science
• Gmp
• Flavors
• Quality Assurance
• Quality System
• Management
• Quality Auditing
• Food Microbiology
• Warehouse Management
• Hygiene
• Confectionery
• Iso 22000