Profile

Megan Francies

Sr. FSQ Manager,
Food Safety & Quality,
Darigold Inc.

Contact Details

Darigold Inc.

Bio

Hello!

I am a food safety professional. I have 8 1/2 years experience in the food sector. I started off in a food science laboratory as a lab tech assisting in research that contributed to FDA produce safety regs as it was centered around the efficacy of salmonella when compared to storage conditions in processing and storage conditions. We completed extensive research in pathogenic bacterial assay analysis. This is where I was exposed to the food industry. Prior to attending college in Washington State I attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks in pursue of my pre-nursing certificate with the intentions of getting a medical degree in Washington, but my goals changed. My prior work experience was all related to the financial sector providing me with vast experience in finance, leadership, regulatory compliance, and management training. From here I moved away from my hometown in Alaska to Washington to pursue my educational goals. 

I had never planned to go to school and end up working in food manufacturing but now looking back I can't imagine it any other way.

I graduated college from Washington State University with a BS in Genetic and Cell Biology with a minor in Microbiology. I had 2 1/2 years experience working in a lab setting and accepting a role in the food manufacturing laboratories.  While working at Darigold I gained valueable experience within the industry starting off at a lab tech moving up in the ranks quickly from QA supervisor to QA manager within 2 years of being at the company. I was the interim QA manager for 6 months thereby performing both roles for an extended period of time. I then accepted a promotion within the company to become the Site Quality Manager at another facility which oversaw 3 different ingredient dairy plants under 1 roof. I expanded my food safety, quality, and operations skill set as well as maturing as a leader of quality management. I was with this company for 5 1/2 years when an new opportunity arose. This opportunity is working at Lamb Weston as their Food Protection Manager overseeing Food Defense & Intentional Adulteration for the North American Facilities. I oversee 15 plans and am currently building our food defense program. 

I have extensive knowledge in the following:
  • Dairy Processing
  • Regulatory Compliance PMO
  • Liquid Dairy Manufactoring
  • Highcare Dairy Processing - Infant Grade Dry Blends
  • Ambient Dairy Processing Drying (Spray and Mat Dryer & Evaporation)
  • Cheesemake processing (50 lb. block)
  • Wastewater treatment industry 
  • Laboratory Management & Systems
  • Food Safety Systems
  • HACCP
  • Food Quality Systems
  • Six Sigma Experience (Quality, FI, CSD)
  • cGMPs
  • RCA
  • CAPA 
  • Internal Audits
  • GFSI Standards (SQF & BRC)

Education

Washington State University
Pullman, Washington, United States
Bachelors of Science, 2016
Genetics & Cell Biology, Microbiology
2013 To 2016

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Master in Jurisprudence, 2026
Global Food Law
2023 To

Job History

Lamb Weston
Food Safety Manager - Food Defense & Intentional Adulteration
Richland, WA, United States
November 2021 - present

Darigold
Site Quality Manager
Sunnyside, WA, United States
November 2019 - November 2021

Darigold
Quality Assurance Manager
Seattle, WA, United States
March 2018 - January 2020

Darigold
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Seattle, WA, United States
August 2017 - March 2018

Darigold
Quality Lab Technican
Seattle, WA, United States
May 2016 - November 2017

Washington State University
Food Science Lab Technican
Pullman, WA, United States
January 2014 - May 2016