PAULA SIMMONS-WINT, MBA, B.Eng., B.Sc.
2196 Fourth Line  Oakville, Ontario  L6M 3S8  647. 787.0083
paula.simmons.wint@gmail.com  www.linkedin.com/in/paulasimmonswint
QUALITY ASSURANCE ASSOCIATE
Confident advocate and champion of quality control standards and regulatory compliance
within the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors
Steadfast, analytical and methodical, continually strives for quality, regulatory and customer service
excellence. Skilled and respected Cosmetic Chemist, relishes formulating and testing products to heighten
the consumer experience. Compassionate mentor and diplomatic communicator, unfazed in responding
to client issues stemming from a diverse internal, external and multicultural stakeholder. Knowledge of:
Quality Assurance (QA)  Quality Management Systems (QMS)  Regulatory Compliance
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)  Cosmetic Chemistry  Pharmaceuticals  New Product Release
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)  Project Management  Database / Spreadsheet Management
Quality Lab Testing  Quantitative Analysis  Certificate of Analysis  Material Safety Data Sheets
RELEVANT EDUCATION
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Graduating in 2016
CERTIFICATE: Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs and Quality Operations
Modules include: Regulatory Affairs II (in-process); Quality Assurance II; Product Formulation and
Manufacturing; Introduction to Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs; Introduction to Quality Assurance.
Advisory Board Member, Post-Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Science
2014
 Worked with other Chemists and college staff on a 17-person committee to devise the new program
structure, required courses and draft curriculum, targeted to commence Q1 2016.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CHEMIST – Quality Control Lab  New Directions Aromatics Inc., Mississauga, ON
2011 – present
(A distributor of 100% pure essential oils, carrier oils, cosmetic bases and natural body care products)
REGULATORY AFFAIRS / DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
 Address regulatory inquiries and ensure regulatory compliance to: Health Canada, the US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union’s Cosmetic Directive (76/768/EEC) legislation.
 Train new hires on Good Manufacturing Practices and all QA Standard Operating Procedures.
 Compile, review and manage Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Certificates of Analysis, quality
and regulatory documents for over 800 products. Currently working with IT on a massive project to
upload all data for online viewing to reduce Customer Service call volume.
 Planning the regulatory compliance of all MSDS files to the new Globally Harmonized System with a
June 2015 mandate issued by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
 Document and update regulatory information for products deemed Kosher Certified and VegeCert
Certified Vegan; currently training to audit and recertify products to USDA Organic standards.
 Assign a lot number for each new product release, gather all product descriptions, regulatory and
safety data, and forward to IT to update the e-commerce website.
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New Directions Aromatics Inc., CHEMIST……continued
QUALITY ASSURANCE / QUALITY CONTROL
 Conduct incoming raw material testing and quantitative analysis on hundreds of ingredients
using a variety of test methods including gas chromatography, specific gravity, colour, and smell.
 Steadily pass ISO 9001 quality management audits, incurring 1 minor non-conformance in 4 years.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
 Boosted customer satisfaction by 35% and cut administration time by 15%, creating a customer
tracking database in Excel to monitor inbound queries and respond within a mandated 48 hours.
PRINCIPAL  Truly Botanical Body Care, Oakville, ON
2006 – present
 Launched a home-based business, researching, formulating and testing natural personal and body
care products growing to 10 soaps, 3 lip balms and 4 lotions sold at local markets and craft fairs.
 Co-developed the main foundation base for a loose powder mineral makeup “green” product line.
OFFICE MANAGER  Bread of Life Renewal Centre, Burlington, ON
2008 – 2010
 Directed the annual 500 – 1,000 attendee conference: chose the site and speakers; planned the agenda
and meals; distributed conference materials; and fundraised to augment the very limited budget.
 Oversaw the semi-annual direct mail donor campaign, publication and distribution of a monthly
member magazine and resource books used to generate revenue for the non-profit organization.
PROJECT COORDINATOR  Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association, Oakville, ON
2006 – 2008
 Organized the inaugural Carousel of Nations Multicultural Festival with funds from an Ontario
Trillium Foundation Grant. Event continues to be held annually at various sites across Halton Region.
PRIOR experience: Personal Sabbatical (stay-at-home parent) 2003 – 2006; Project Officer, National Gas
Company of Trinidad and Tobago 1998 – 2003; Office Manager, EQ Tropical Traders 1997 – 1998; Logistics
Planner and Environmental Specialist, Praxair (previously Liquid Carbonic) 1995 – 1997.
AFFILIATIONS & ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
Member, Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Toronto Chapter 2014 – present
(Past Member, Society of Cosmetic Chemists - South Africa Chapter, 2009 – 2011)
Volunteer, Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association 2011 – present
Board of Directors (2011 – present) and Board Treasurer (2012 – present)
Continuous learner completing numerous courses, workshops and seminars including:
Claim Substantiation & Skin Aging Seminar  Scale Up & Processing Cosmetic Formulations
Scepticism & The Cosmetic Chemist – How To Distill Beauty Science from Beauty Bogus
Negotiation Competency Development Initiative  Amphiphilic Silicones
Managing the Contractual Arrangements Under a Typical EPC Contract
Corporate Finance Modelling  2001 Dewitt World Petrochemical Review
DIPLOMA: Cosmetic Science, Society of Cosmetic Chemists, South Africa
2011
(Thesis project: Product development of a conditioning baby shampoo.)
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION – International Marketing, University of West Indies
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING - Chemical, Ryerson University
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - Mathematics, McMaster University
2001
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