Episode Details

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

She shares her insights on the complexities of product development in the dairy industry. She discusses the importance of collaboration, the challenges of optimizing established products, and the innovative processes involved in launching new products. Pratisha emphasizes the significance of curiosity, human connections, and networking in her career journey, providing valuable advice for aspiring product developers.

---

Shownotes: https://foodgrads.com/podcast/Salma-Fotovat

---

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: https://foodgrads.com/career-paths-food-and-beverage/   
💭  Career Advice: https://foodgrads.com/blog/

---

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

💼  Salma Fotovat LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salmafotovat/
💼 Riverside Natural Foods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riverside-natural-foods/
🌐 Riverside Natural Foods Website: https://www.riversidenaturalfoods.com/
📸 MadeGood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madegoodfoods/

---

CONNECT WITH US  
📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodgrads/  
🎵  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foodgrads.com  
💼  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodgrads/