Marin Pavlic, Director of QA Programs & Compliance at Sofina Foods, Inside Food Safety Leadership | That’s a Food Job! Podcast #109
Marin Pavlic is the Senior Director of QA Programs & Compliance at Sofina Foods and the current President of the Ontario Food Protection Association (OFPA). With over 15 years of experience in food manufacturing, Marin brings a deep understanding of food safety, team leadership, and regulatory compliance to his work—along with a strong belief in the power of networking and continuous improvement.
In this episode of That’s a Food Job!, Marin shares how he built his career by leaning into leadership roles, learning to trust the expertise of his team, and staying adaptable in a changing industry. He discusses the importance of communication and team dynamics, the role of data in driving smarter decisions, and how regulatory changes can be used as a catalyst for growth. We also explore his passion for professional development and his work with OFPA to build community and mentorship across the food sector.
If you’re interested in food safety careers, building leadership skills, or how to grow in a traditional industry through learning and collaboration, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration.
In this episode:
- 00:00 – Starting Out: From Nutritional Science to Food Safety
- 01:11 – What Does a Director in Food Safety Actually Do?
- 03:09 – Why It’s Okay to Speak Up to Your Boss
- 05:15 – How to Handle Different Opinions on a Team
- 06:46 – Tips for Sharing Your Ideas (Even If You’re Nervous)
- 08:18 – How I Got My First Job in Food Safety (No Big Master Plan!)
- 11:26 – Changing Paths: From Dietitian Dreams to Food Safety
- 12:40 – What I Did to Get My First Job Without Experience
- 13:28 – Skills You Already Have That Can Help You Get Hired
- 15:33 – Top Skills for First Jobs in Food Safety (QA & QC)
- 17:19 – Can You Still Work in Food Safety with a Different Background?
- 18:36 – How to Deal with Conflict Between Food Safety and Production
- 20:47 – Why Good Communication and Facts Matter in Food Safety
- 23:55 – Making Tough Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Info
- 25:25 – Using Data to Spot Problems Before They Get Big
- 27:18 – How to “See the Patterns” to Keep Food Safe
- 28:57 – What to Do When Food Safety Rules Change
- 31:48 – How to Make Improvements When You’re Busy All the Time
- 34:06 – Helping Your Team Work Smarter, Not Harder
- 35:59 – Tips for Training Different Types of Learners
- 37:44 – The Best Part of Working in Food Safety
- 39:01 – What Is the OFPA and How Can It Help You?
- 42:16 – Volunteering and Networking with OFPA as a Student
- 45:32 – Marin’s Top Advice for Students Starting Out
- 49:32 – Don’t Be Afraid to Apply Even If You Don’t Feel “Ready”
- 51:01 – Thank You and Final Thoughts
Recommended next episode
#77–Neha Mehta, Food Safety Quality Assurance Compliance Coordinator/Supervisor at Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
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