In our Meet the Team feature, we want to introduce you to the amazing individuals who make the magic happen at FSS.
This month, we would like you to meet Sandra Nesom!
Sandra joined the Food Safety Solutions Team as a consultant in 2022. She has a Masters Degree in Food Science from the University of Alberta and brings with her over 30 years experience of Quality Assurance in the Food Industry! Sandra is a qualified Internal Auditor for FSSC 22000, BRCGS and SQF, and works with companies to develop their food safety programs for SFCR, GFSI and customer requested programs.
Sandra was fortunate enough to be born and raised in central Alberta allowing her to have opportunities to work in industries including meat slaughter and processing, fruit & vegetable packing and processing, soft drink, juice & alcoholic beverage manufacturing, bakery and warehousing. Recently she has started working in the animal welfare field and has been enjoying her time traveling around our beautiful province.
Sandra has the ability to understand the needs and challenges that go along with food safety program implementation, working closely with our clients to help them be successful.
What was your first job in the food industry?
My first job was working as a QC Lab Technician in a pharmaceutical production facility in Olds, AB. They made nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals in gelatin capsules. It was a great introduction into the level of standards required for hygiene in manufacturing facilities!
What is the furthest you’ve had to travel for this job?
This year I expanded my work travel into the US and traveled to Columbus OH to help a client achieve certification to the BRCGS Storage and Distribution standard.
What is your favorite prerequisite program?
My favourite PRP is Sanitation. I really like how developing the sanitation programs gives you a good understanding of the equipment and the facility and how everything comes together.
Please share a top consulting client success story:
I worked with a client last year that had a very short timeline between their gap assessment and the date they were scheduled for their first BRCGS Storage and Distribution audit (2 months!). The program was lacking in many required procedures and monitoring records. With a lot of dedication and hard work, we were able to get things turned around and they scored a AA rating with only 2 minors on their audit. The site has been able to keep up with their program we implemented since the audit as well.
What is your food safety superpower?
I am good at juggling numerous clients and projects at the same time and setting priorities to ensure that all deadlines are met. I can pull from my 35+ years of experience working in industry to implement ideas and suggestions that have worked for me and my sites in the past.
