Salma Fotovat is the Co-Founder & Sourcing & Procurement Director at Riverside Natural Foods, Ltd. - Home of MadeGood. They are a Canadian-owned company that specializes in creating healthy, allergy-friendly snacks

In this episode Salma explains the difference between sourcing and procurement, why supplier relationships are long-term strategic partnerships, and what it really takes to bring the right ingredient into the right plant at the right time. Salma shares how organic certification, allergen controls, regulatory approvals, and R&D trials all intersect before an ingredient ever reaches production.

We also discuss navigating supply chain disruptions, managing climate-related crop failures, and why social and environmental due diligence will define the future of procurement. Throughout the conversation, Salma emphasizes critical thinking, adaptability, relationship-building, and resilience as core skills for students considering supply chain careers.

---

Shownotes

---

CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction
03:15 – What Is a Sourcing and Procurement Career?
07:30 – What This Job Actually Looks Like Day to Day
12:00 – How a Single Ingredient Takes Months to Approve
18:00 – Why "Right Price, Right Place" Is Harder Than It Sounds
22:00 – What Happens When 50% of Your Main Ingredient Disappears
27:00 – How Strong Relationships Saved the Business
31:30 – What Makes a Supplier Actually Want to Work With You
36:00 – How Procurement Can Support Farmers and the Planet
40:30 – The Future of Supply Chain Careers and Sustainability
45:30 – Skills Students Should Start Building Now

---

📙 Career Guides
💭 Career Advice

---

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

💼 Salma Fotovat LinkedIn
🌐 Riverside Natural Foods Website
💼 Riverside Natural Foods LinkedIn
📸 MadeGood Instagram

CONNECT WITH US
📸 Instagram
🎵 TikTok
💼 LinkedIn

Pratistha Banerjee is a Product Development and Commercialization Manager at Darigold, a global supplier of dairy and specialty food products.

Pratistha shares insights into her role, emphasizing that food product development is not just about flavor but also about functional ingredients, supplier collaboration, and navigating complex operational and regulatory requirements in the dairy industry. She discusses the challenges of optimizing existing products and taking new product ideas from concept to plant launch, as well as what innovation truly means in a large food company. Pratistha highlights the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and communication in building a successful career.

Throughout the conversation, Pratistha reflects on her journey from early career roles to her current position. She emphasizes adaptability, continuous learning, and the value of building strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and operators. For students and aspiring food scientists, Pratistha encourages experimenting, learning from real-world challenges, and understanding the functional and technical aspects of ingredients.

---

Shownotes

---

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) What Food Product Development Really Is and Isn't
(02:10) How Pratistha Got Into Product Development
(05:00) What a Product Development Manager Does Day to Day
(08:40) How Food Products Go from Idea to Launch
(12:30) Why Food Product Ideas Fail at Scale
(17:00) Theory vs Reality in Food Product Development
(21:30) Working With Plants, Suppliers, and Operations
(26:10) What Innovation Actually Means in the Food Industry
(31:00) How Product Developers Solve Complex Problems
(36:20) Choosing Between Food Industry Career Paths
(41:30) Networking Advice for Introverted Students
(47:40) What Students Should Start Doing Now

---

📙 Career Guides
💭 Career Advice

---

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

💼 Pratistha Banerjee LinkedIn
🌐 Darigold Website
💼 Darigold LinkedIn
📸 Darigold Instagram
🐦 Darigold X (Twitter)

CONNECT WITH US
🐦 X
📸 Instagram
🎵 TikTok
💼 LinkedIn

Leslie Herbas is a Product Development Specialist at Ascona Food Group a global supplier of specialty food products.

Leslie shares insights into her role, emphasizing that product development is not just about flavor but also about functional ingredients and navigating complex regulatory requirements, especially in the meat industry. She discusses the importance of customization in creating dry blends and edible films, which enhance the flavor and shelf life of meat products. Leslie also highlights the significance of documentation in ensuring that products meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations.

Throughout the conversation, Leslie reflects on her journey in the food industry, from her beginnings as a production supervisor to her current role in product development. She emphasizes the importance of problem-solving skills, adaptability, and continuous learning in this dynamic field. Leslie encourages aspiring food scientists to experiment in their own kitchens, replicate products, and understand the functional ingredients involved.

---

Shownotes

---

Check out next: Kaylah Farina, Product Development Manager at Sigma US

---

CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development.

CareersNOW! - What can you do with an Engineering Degree?

---

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction to Food Product Development and Problem-Solving
(01:05) What a Product Development Specialist Does at Ascona
(03:10) Customizing Dry Blends, Edible Films, and Casings
(05:13) From Bench-Top Formulation to Plant Trials
(07:07) What Documentation Means in Product Development
(10:34) Regulatory and Administrative Work in the Meat Industry
(15:57) Building Confidence Through Experience and Failure
(18:09) Managing Multiple Projects and Scaling Up
(23:07) Practicing Product Development Skills at Home
(29:56) Career Path from Production to Product Development
(37:38) Why Problem-Solving Starts with Planning
(43:27) Learning from Production Teams and Operators

--

📙 Career Guides
💭 Career Advice

---

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

💼 Leslie Herbas LinkedIn
🌐 Ascona Food Group Website
💼 Ascona Food Group LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH US
🐦 X
📸 Instagram
🎵 TikTok
💼 LinkedIn