Talha Rashid is a Continuous Improvement Manager at Handi Foods Ltd., a Canadian food manufacturer specializing in crackers and better‑for‑you snack products supplied to major retailers across North America.

In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Talha breaks down what a continuous improvement career looks like in food manufacturing and how data, teamwork, and problem‑solving drive real change on the production floor. He explains how organizations identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve productivity without compromising quality.

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Shownotes

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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.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction to Continuous Improvement in Food Manufacturing
02:58 – Understanding Continuous Improvement: Definition and Scope
05:58 – A Day in the Life of a Continuous Improvement Manager
09:00 – The Importance of Data in Continuous Improvement
12:05 – Collaboration Across Departments for Success
14:54 – Skills for Success: Balancing Analytical and People Skills
18:08 – Continuous Learning and Professional Development
21:06 – Lean Six Sigma: Tools for Waste Reduction
23:58 – Applying Lean Principles to Real?World Problems
24:12 – Career Insights for Students in Food and Beverage
25:50 – Showcasing Willingness to Learn in Interviews
29:29 – Understanding Company Culture for Success
33:44 – Essential Skills for Continuous Improvement
39:44 – Journey into Continuous Improvement Careers

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📙 Career Guides
💭 Career Advice

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🌐 Handi Foods Website

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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.

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Shownotes

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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.

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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

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📙 Career Guides
💭 Career Advice

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CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

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

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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.

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Shownotes

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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

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📙 Career Guides
💭 Career Advice

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CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

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

CONNECT WITH US
🐦 X
📸 Instagram
🎵 TikTok
💼 LinkedIn