I am passionate about helping businesses identify and manage supply chain risks, supporting them to improve and grow.
Tina Brune, Director Risk Management
Tina has been a valued member of the IFS team for nearly six years, serving as the Director Risk Management. She is also in charge of managing our new IFS Supply Chain Process Check. Tina introduces herself in this blog post.
Combining food science with business administration
After school, I embarked on an academic journey that took me to diverse corners of the globe, studying in Germany and Australia. In Germany, I pursued a degree in Food Science, where I gained a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between food safety, quality, and consumer health. I furthered my education with a Master's degree in Business Administration in Australia, equipping myself with essential management skills and strategic insight.
Starting my professional career abroad
My professional journey began in Scotland, where I worked with a council to support local food hospitality businesses in implementing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based quality systems. This role allowed me to engage closely with various stakeholders, ensuring that food safety standards were upheld and businesses operated efficiently within regulatory frameworks.
After my time in Scotland, I relocated to Australia, where I served as a Quality Assurance Manager in the food manufacturing sector. In this position, I developed a comprehensive understanding of quality control processes and regulatory compliance while gaining hands-on experience in the poultry, small goods and olive mix industries. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic nature of the work allowing me to apply my technical knowledge in practice and improve product quality.
Consolidating my expertise in food safety and quality management
After returning to Europe, I joined a meal kit company, where I was responsible for the daily operations of the fulfilment centre to ensure timely and complete production. This experience enhanced my skills in creating efficient production processes and streamlining workflows to meet consumer demands. Then, I joined IFS, where I continued utilising my food safety and quality management expertise.
Joining IFS Risk Management Department as Director
In 2019, I took on the role of Director for the IFS Risk Management Department in Berlin, a crucial position dedicated to improving the identification and management of risks in our industry. The department's main objective is to gather, analyse, and provide data that helps our stakeholders in their day-to-day risk management activities. As we all know, we are living in times where it can be difficult to identify what is truly important for our business and industry.
An important service our department provides is the monthly IFS Trend Risk Report, a comprehensive document that serves as an essential source of information for all stakeholders. It provides an overview of global product fraud notifications and product recalls, an analysis of recent RAFF notifications, and links to a curated selection of high-quality online news articles. This report is a useful tool that facilitates the risk management activities of suppliers and retailers by providing timely and relevant information.
Facing new challenges in supply chain risk management
Recently, I have also been involved in developing the new IFS Supply Chain Processes Check, a verification tool designed to assess risk management processes within supply chains thoroughly. This annual assessment evaluates whether companies have established and maintained effective procedures for analysing critical commodity-related risks in their supply chains. A key feature of this tool is the newly developed IFS Commodity List, which pioneers seamless data exchange between suppliers and their retail customers, fostering transparency and agility in risk management practices.
Collaborating with the IFS Team and several external stakeholders throughout the development process was a rewarding experience, providing valuable insights and fostering creative solutions to complex challenges in supply chain risk management.
Gaining insights into the entire spectrum of the food industry
I greatly enjoy working with a team of professionals committed to enhancing the IFS Standards and delivering better service to our customers daily. My involvement in various projects gives me a comprehensive perspective on the food industry. This experience deepens my understanding of the connections within the industry and highlights the significance of a well-established, risk-based approach to food safety and quality.