A New Era of Quality Leadership in Food Manufacturing

Michelle Brydalski is a seasoned quality and regulatory leader with over 20 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry. As Senior Director of Quality at T. Marzetti Company, she combines technical expertise, regulatory insight and a commitment to team development to drive food safety and operational excellence.

Her career began with a spark of curiosity while studying Chemistry at the University at Buffalo, leading to a third-shift Quality Technician role at General Mills. Over 19 years, she advanced through various quality and regulatory positions, gaining experience across multiple plants and product platforms.Brydalski later served as Global Director of External Supply at Rich Products, managing cross-cultural teams in over ten countries. She also held executive roles in food safety and quality at smaller organizations, including Charcuterie Artisans, where she led USDA-regulated meat production and strengthened food safety systems.

What It Takes to Lead Teams That are Both Disciplined and Dynamic

Building high-performing teams requires a balance of clear expectations and a culture rooted in agility, learning and ownership. I start by fostering a safe learning environment where team members feel empowered to take risks, make decisions and learn from failure—without fear of blame. When managed constructively, failure becomes one of the most powerful tools for long-term growth.

I’m passionate about developing emerging talent through intentional coaching, stretch assignments and cross-functional opportunities that encourage collaboration and broaden perspectives. I also promote a continuous improvement mindset by nurturing curiosity and challenging the status quo. I encourage team members to bring forward solutions— not just problems—which builds confidence, accountability and strong problem-solving skills.

Equally important, I expect my team to think beyond their defined roles. We’re not just food safety and quality experts—we’re strategic business partners. By aligning our work with broader organizational goals and keeping our approach simple and practical, we deliver value while remaining agile and responsive.

Advancing quality standards to boost customer trust and operational performance

Several initiatives under my leadership have significantly strengthened compliance, elevated customer satisfaction and enhanced operational efficiency. A key area of impact has been the adoption of digital solutions to modernize and streamline our quality systems. By implementing platforms such as TraceGains, RedZone, Clean Trace, Manage Artworks, MicroMap and Monday. com, we improved the speed and accuracy of data collection and response. These tools provide real-time visibility into quality performance, enable faster identification and resolution of non-compliance issues and support stronger root cause analysis— resulting in more robust, sustainable corrective actions.

When managed constructively, failure becomes one of the most powerful tools for long-term growth.

In parallel, I designed and deployed a Quality Engineer work structure to bring greater technical depth and consistency across our facilities. These engineers are embedded within operations to drive proactive quality, reinforce process control and lead data-driven improvement initiatives.

Additionally, I led the creation of a “speed to market” framework to streamline cross-functional alignment in commercialization projects. This structure ensures early engagement from quality, food safety, regulatory and operations teams, enabling faster, right-first-time product launches that reduce rework and improve customer satisfaction.

Collectively, these initiatives have not only raised performance and compliance standards but also fostered a culture of accountability, agility and continuous improvement across the organization.

What the future holds for food quality and safety leadership

What excites me most about the future of food quality and safety leadership is the rapid advancement of tools and technologies transforming how we protect and build trust in our food systems. As consumers increasingly demand transparency, traceability and sustainability, we have a unique opportunity to elevate our role—not just as compliance experts, but as champions of brand trust and business value.

Innovations such as rapid microbiological testing and predictive analytics are shifting food safety toward a more proactive, preventative approach. Meanwhile, digital platforms offer real-time visibility into operations, allowing us to trace ingredients more effectively, identify risks earlier and respond swiftly to negative trends.

These technologies not only enhance food safety but also promote sustainable practices by reducing waste and improving operational efficiency. As leaders, we have the opportunity to embed these tools into agile systems that meet regulatory requirements and rising consumer expectations.

It’s an exciting and pivotal time to lead in food quality and safety.

Advice for professionals ready to grow beyond technical roles

My biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and actively seek out learning opportunities—both within and beyond your immediate role. Curiosity fuels growth and opens the door to broader, more strategic thinking.

To truly expand your impact, focus on becoming a strong business partner. It’s essential to balance technical expertise with a clear understanding of how your work connects to broader organizational goals. Don’t approach every situation solely through the lens of food safety or quality—consider how your decisions influence the brand, operations and customer experience.

Engage cross-functional partners early and often. This not only fosters collaboration but also creates teachable moments that help build a stronger food safety and quality culture across the organization. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about helping others understand why things matter and bringing them along with you.

Invest in a strong support network—mentors, peers and colleagues both inside and outside your organization. These relationships are invaluable as you grow into more strategic roles.

And finally, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Some of the most valuable leadership lessons come from missteps. What matters most is your ability to reflect, adapt and move forward with resilience.