Bart Kercher
About Bart Kercher
Bart Kercher is a seasoned professional in product safety and regulatory compliance at Berry Plastics, where he has worked since 2008. He has extensive experience in quality assurance and regulatory affairs, having held various managerial roles in notable companies such as Rexam, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and The Hershey Company.
Work at Berry Plastics
Currently, Bart Kercher holds the position of Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance at Berry Plastics, where he has worked since 2008. His responsibilities include supervising product safety programs, managing regulatory documents, and coordinating corrective actions for audits. He has trained employees in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and product safety. Kercher has prepared a 2000-member plant and corporate headquarters facility for Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification and managed all regulatory, customer, and third-party audits, including SQF and AIB.
Previous Experience
Bart Kercher has extensive experience in quality assurance and regulatory compliance. He worked as a Quality Control Manager at Rexam from 2004 to 2006 in London, UK. Prior to that, he served as Manager of Vitamin Analysis, Physical Property, and Sensory Testing at Bristol-Myers Squibb from 2000 to 2004 in New Jersey, USA. He also held the position of Director of Lean Manufacturing at Ameriqual Group, LLC from 2006 to 2008 in Evansville, Indiana, and was a Quality Assurance Manager at The Hershey Company for 12 years, from 1988 to 2000 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Education and Expertise
Bart Kercher earned a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Purdue University, studying from 1978 to 1982. He later obtained a Master of Science in Management from Romain College of Business, completing his studies from 2003 to 2005. He holds six professional certifications, including Certified Quality Manager, Quality Engineer, Quality Auditor, and Six Sigma Black Belt through the American Society for Quality. Additionally, he is a Registered Sanitarian through the National Environmental Health Association and a Certified Food Scientist by the Institute of Food Technologists.
Professional Affiliations
Bart Kercher serves as Secretary for the Evansville, Indiana Chapter of the American Society for Quality. His involvement in this organization reflects his commitment to quality assurance and regulatory compliance in the industry. He actively participates in auditing warehouse distribution centers for GMP and SQF conformance and has led internal teams on inspections and follow-up actions at Berry Plastics.
Key Responsibilities and Achievements
At Berry Plastics, Bart Kercher has managed various critical functions related to product safety and regulatory compliance. He has supervised staff in SQF documentation and program administration and has investigated and resolved customer complaints related to packaging safety. His role includes auditing manufacturing subcontractors and distribution warehouses for GMP compliance and operational performance issues, ensuring that the company adheres to industry standards.