James J. Marasco
Associate
James brings more than 40 years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, manufacturing operations, certification, auditing, and training.
Throughout his career, James has worked with food and packaging manufacturers to develop, evaluate, and strengthen food safety and quality management systems. He has extensive experience conducting certification and bundled audits for SQF, BRCGS Food Safety, BRCGS Packaging Materials, FSSC 22000, and ISO 9001 standards. He also supports organizations through gap assessments, pre-assessments, program development, and training in HACCP, GMPs, HARPC, FSMA preventive controls, and GFSI-recognized certification programs.
Before establishing Marasco Food Safety Consultant, LLC, James held several auditing and certification leadership positions with AIB International. As BRC Certification Manager, he served as a liaison among scheme owners, certification staff, auditors, and subcontracted service providers. His responsibilities included maintaining certification competency, interpreting scheme requirements, conducting witness assessments, supporting accreditation activities, and overseeing auditor training and development. Earlier in his career, he conducted food safety audits and evaluations and held quality assurance and production management positions within the food, beverage, flavor, medical coating, and ingredient industries.
James is qualified to audit a broad range of food-sector categories, including bakery and snack foods, dairy, beverages, preserved foods, food ingredients, cereal grains, storage and distribution, food packaging, and pet food manufacturing. His BRCGS experience also includes ready-to-eat foods, low- and high-acid products, alcoholic and fermented beverages, dried foods, plastics, flexible packaging, paper manufacturing, glass production, and print processes.
James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a concentration in biology and chemistry from the State University College at Potsdam. He is also a retired U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years of service, including leadership roles in training, personnel management, and organizational development. His combination of technical knowledge, operational experience, and practical auditing expertise allows him to help clients build effective, sustainable food safety systems and prepare confidently for certification.
