John Zimmermann, CP-FS
Company: Sodexo
Title: Senior Director, Quality Assurance and Food Safety

In this position, Mr. Zimmermann is responsible for supply quality assurance, food safety, regulatory compliance, and HACCP related programs for the organization. In this role, he ensures corporate and regulatory compliance for the company’s Quality Assurance & Food Safety initiatives in North America, encompassing over 6000 foodservice accounts. He also provides proactive technical expertise, consultation and support on food safety matters to help resolve quality assurance and food safety emergencies, complaints or regulatory issues.

Mr. Zimmermann joined Sodexo in 1995 as the Quality Assurance Manager for the State of Tennessee Cook-Chill production facility, the largest of its kind in the United States. He developed an USDA approved quality assurance and food safety program, which included an on-site testing laboratory. He also maintained standards for facility sanitation and was Chairman of the Workplace Safety Committee.

Prior to his tenure with Sodexo, he served in several laboratory, operations and quality management positions within the food processing industry over the past 11 years.

A graduate of the State University of New York at Morrisville with an A.A.S. degree in Food Science Technology, where he specialized in Quality Control. Mr. Zimmermann holds a credential as a Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) and is accredited by the HACCP Alliance. He is an active member of the National Environmental Health Association, Conference for Food Protection, State of TN Food Safety Task Force and the National Restaurant Association Quality Assurance Executive Study Group.

Mr. Zimmermann, his wife and two children currently reside in Nashville, TN.