Page 6 - Viterra Vibe_June 2024 (Final)

Five questions with Mandeep Sran

inspection and grading of various types of requires a solid understanding of
grains, primarily malt barley and canola. grain quality as well as the equipment
As I am still developing in this role, I learn used in my daily tasks. Achieving this
by working alongside the senior Grain will be instrumental in my continued
Inspectors. I often help prepare samples development towards a Senior Grain
for them by assessing dockage, moisture Inspector role.
and protein before the final grade What do you like best about working at
assessment is made. Another key task I Viterra?
perform is processing calibration samples I appreciate the positive and healthy
that are submitted by our primary environment, and strong sense of
elevators. This is critical to ensure that our teamwork, where everyone works
elevator staff are able to provide accurate together towards common goals. My
results to our customers. manager and coworkers are incredibly
What work accomplishment are you supportive and always willing to lend a
most proud of? helping hand. This supportive culture at
What is your role with Viterra and how I joined Viterra as a temporary employee. Viterra not only enhances productivity but
long have you been part of the team? Despite the temporary nature of the also makes it a great place to work.
I am a Grain Inspector in the Quality position, I was determined to make an
Control Lab in the Regina office, and impact. I dedicated myself to learning What do you like to do in your spare time,
have been a member of the team for as much as possible and consistently and what is a fun fact about you?
three years. My educational background delivering high-quality work. My efforts I enjoy watching movies in my free time.
includes a Masters degree in Botany, and paid off when I was promoted to a But my favorite pastime is sitting in the
I previously worked as a Botany lecturer permanent position. sunshine during the summer, with a cup
in India. of tea in my hand. The warmth of the sun,
One of my first achievements at Viterra the cool breeze, and the refreshing tea -
What are some of your responsibilities? was completing the training for a it’s a simple pleasure that I cherish. As a
My current responsibilities involve Level 1 Grader. This accomplishment fun fact, I have a passion for food.
Five questions with Étienne Tardif

promote the plant and to try to increase rebuild a commercial desk from scratch.
canola and soybean acreage in eastern In the first year, I had to do all the
Canada. I eventually started to purchase purchases from the plant myself with a
grain and have been doing that full time junior merchandiser. This was new for
since 2013. me as I had done small purchases in the
What are some of your responsibilities? past but never to sustain a 3,000mt a day
My main responsibility is to originate crush plant.
grain in eastern Canada. We buy direct What do you like best about working at
from the farm but also from commercial Viterra?
companies. The structure in the east is I like working with lots of talented people.
quite different from western Canada as We have a good network that allows me
we have a lot of smaller farms that grow to have market information from around
100-200 acres of soybean or canola the world. That also spreads the burden
each year, so we need to structure our of grain origination which also makes
purchases differently. a big difference on the success of the
What is your role with Viterra and how Bécancour plant.
long have you been part of the team? I’m also responsible for receiving canola
My current role is Manager, Grain vessels into the Port of Bécancour, which What do you like to do in your spare
Origination and Production Logistics for is 2 km from the plant, and manage time?
the Bécancour oilseed processing plant in transferring seed by truck from the dock I’ve been a soccer player since I was 5
Québec. Our team buys eastern soybeans to the plant. The vessels are loaded in and now have 45 years of experience. I
and canola from Québec, eastern Ontario Thunder Bay with canola coming from still play 1-2 times per week all year long.
and the maritime provinces. I have been Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan. In the summer I enjoy camping with my
with Viterra since 2015, when Viterra What work accomplishment are you family in different places throughout
acquired the plant, and have been most proud of? Québec and Ontario. I also like to read
working at the plant since 2008 under the In 2013-2014 when the previous owners books, any genres, from French classical
facility’s previous ownership. Originally, of the facility exited joint ownership to science fiction and fantasy.
I started with them as an agronomist to of the plant with Bunge, we needed to

6 | VITERRA VIBE SUMMER 2024