From identifying the correct certification program recognized by a certain fast-food franchise, to sifting through retailer-specific addendums, there’s a lot to consider when becoming a trusted supplier of any major fast-food chain or grocery store. When sizing up suppliers, retail establishments typically rank them based on the supplier’s ability to consistently meet product specifications, fulfill orders in a timely and cost-efficient manner, stay up-to-date on third-party testing and certification protocols, all while avoiding the black eye of a customer complaint, or worse… a recall. For some retailers on the hunt for new suppliers, failure to meet these requirements is a sign of a weak link in the supply chain. So how can suppliers avoid becoming a weak link? Where do they often go wrong? And from the retail perspective, how do you spot a potential weak link before it breaks your supply chain? Find out from a panel of experts who are playing integral roles across the food supply chain. This includes perspectives from a food product supplier, a Certification Body, and a retailer. While Tyler Williams, CEO of ASI can speak to common non-conformances found among supplier audits, Jorge Hernandez, VP of Quality Assurance at The Wendy’s Company can discuss why these issues are so common and explore the consequences that could unfold without proper supplier controls. Lastly, Melody Ge Senior Director of Food Safety & Quality Operations at Tree House Foods will also be present on this panel to discuss her perspective on how being up to date on supply chain requirements can help boost business.