A growing and worldwide consumer market, increasing quality requirements, and a worldwide network of ingredient suppliers. No doubt that an international food company in infant food invests in further strengthening of their -already highly strict- ingredient purchasing and quality control regimen. Moreover, a worldwide, standardized system is needed to secure quality and food safety in infant formulas for the next decades.

Professionals from procurement, quality and food safety, product development, specification management, supplier quality development and factories collaborate closely together to guarantee the quality of all products. Sonja Zuijdgeest supported the teams to further strengthen the cross-functional collaboration and system security.

Transformation

Together with the accountable Directors and the teams, Sonja assessed existing work processes in specification management. Recommendations were made on worldwide standardization, and a transformation program was put in place. A new Specification Management organisation was raised. with solid roles and responsibilities fitting within the global procurement policies and organisation. With the support of Jolanda Kroon, Sonja lead the program to optimize work processes. Collaboration across disciplines was strengthened, and information management reinforced.

We feel proud of having contributed to the safety and quality of infant food for the next decades.