Her Story
About Samantha
Samantha Mannain is the Quality Assurance Manager at Bedemco Ingredients, a food industry company specializing in the importation and distribution of organic, natural, dried fruit, nut, and seed products. With more than 12 years at Bedemco, Samantha has built her career within the company’s Quality Assurance department, developing broad experience in food safety, regulatory compliance, supplier management, customer support, and quality systems.
Samantha began her career at Bedemco as an office manager while also supporting quality control responsibilities at the company’s production facility. Over the years, her role continued to grow as she transitioned to the company’s main office in White Plains, New York, remotely and took on increasing responsibility within Quality Assurance and Customer Service. Today, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the QA and Customer Service functions and works closely with Operations, Purchasing, Sales, suppliers, co-manufacturers, and customers to ensure quality issues and requests are handled efficiently and thoroughly.
In her current role, Samantha is responsible for maintaining and improving Bedemco’s quality and food safety programs, including FDA compliance, supplier approval and monitoring, FSVP requirements, organic compliance, customer documentation, product specifications, claims and corrective actions, and ongoing quality investigations. She is a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) qualified, and she plays an active role in ensuring the company remains prepared for audits, regulatory changes, and evolving customer requirements.
A major focus of Samantha’s work has been improving processes and building systems that make the QA department more proactive and efficient. She has led projects involving specification management, supplier and quality tracking, claims and CAPA processes, employee cross-training, and the integration of Quality Assurance, Customer Service, and Operations. She is particularly interested in finding practical ways to use technology and automation to improve traceability, supplier performance tracking, reporting, and overall efficiency.
Samantha credits much of her professional growth to being willing to ask questions, take initiative, do what needs to be done, and continue learning. She believes in being proactive, taking responsibility, and always looking for ways to improve both herself and the work around her. She believes that staying curious and informed is essential in the food industry, where regulations, customer expectations, and food safety requirements are constantly evolving. She also values the influence of mentors and colleagues who have helped her develop throughout her career and makes a point of sharing that knowledge with the people she works with.
Looking ahead, Samantha hopes to continue growing into a director-level leadership role and expand her involvement with suppliers, co-manufacturers, industry organizations, audits, and food industry events. She is particularly interested in strengthening supplier relationships and becoming even more involved in the hands-on side of quality and food safety.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family, hiking, practicing yoga, and being a dedicated soccer mom. She also enjoys staying involved in her community and supporting causes that are important to her. Above all, she values family, personal growth, and continuing to move forward—both professionally and personally.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Samantha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being willing to take responsibility, do what needs to be done, and always strive to do things the right way. I believe in approaching challenges with a positive attitude, being dependable, and following through on my responsibilities. I also believe strongly in continuous education and professional development, and I make it a priority to have the knowledge, training, and resources I need to perform at a high level. By staying informed, continuing to learn, taking on new challenges, and remaining true to myself and my values, I’ve been able to continue growing both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to believe in yourself, do what you know is right, and be willing to put in the work to make things happen. My former boss, Natalie, reinforced that lesson throughout the 10 years I worked with her. She was a strong, determined woman who worked hard, stood by what she believed was right, and never hesitated to do what needed to be done, even when it wasn’t always easy. Watching her navigate her career taught me the importance of perseverance, confidence, integrity, and taking responsibility. Her example continues to remind me that doing the right thing, following through, and being willing to take on challenges are just as important as pursuing your own goals.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to never stop learning and investing in yourself. Take advantage of webinars, industry events, professional publications, training opportunities, and any other resources that can help you stay informed and continue building your knowledge. I also encourage you to build relationships with supportive people and professional groups who can offer guidance, encouragement, and different perspectives along the way. Most importantly, keep a positive mindset and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned. Challenges are part of any career, but continuing to learn, surrounding yourself with the right people, and believing in yourself can open doors and create opportunities you may not have expected.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the availability of strong entry-level positions, giving people the chance to get their foot in the door and build meaningful careers in the food industry. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges is keeping up with constantly changing FDA regulations and making sure quality and compliance practices continue to evolve with them.
Another challenge I have experienced throughout my career is having to continually prove my knowledge and experience, even after more than 12 years in the field. Those experiences have reinforced the importance of continuing to educate myself, staying confident in what I know, and letting my work speak for itself. I believe that experience, knowledge, professionalism, and the willingness to keep learning are what ultimately help you earn respect, build credibility, and continue moving forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, and open-mindedness. I believe in being truthful, treating people with respect, and being someone others can count on when they need support. Being there for others, keeping my word, and approaching situations with an open mind are qualities I strive to demonstrate every day. I believe that staying true to your values, treating people with honesty and respect, and doing the right thing—even when it isn’t always the easiest choice—are what build meaningful relationships and create lasting success.
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