Salma Fotovat, Co-Founder & Sourcing & Procurement Director at Riverside Natural Foods, Ltd. – Home of MadeGood (Podcast #121)

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

On this episode of That’s a Food Job! 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.

Sponsor

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.

Links

Salma Fotovat LinkedIn
Riverside Natural Foods Website
Riverside Natural Foods LinkedIn
MadeGood Instagram

Check out the podcast below!

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