Fuelled By Ambition...Sarah Scott

We caught up with one of our incredible members Sarah Scott, Head of Primary Food Safety & Quality at Kepak Bodmin, to get to know more about her career journey and ambitions for the food industry. As part of our campaign 'Fuelled by Ambition' we're sharing the stories of our community and asking them to define ambition in their own terms, as well as give us as insights into their career journeys so far.

Tell us about your current role and how you got there. 

I am Head of Food Safety & Quality for the primary operations of the three Kepak Meat Division UK sites, covering Scotland, Wales and England. My role is to provide strategic and operational leadership across Food Safety and Quality Management — ensuring that each site consistently delivers the high standards Kepak is recognised for. It’s about safeguarding food safety, strengthening compliance, and embedding a culture of operational excellence across our primary operations.

Food safety and the meat industry have always been part of my career. Before joining Kepak, I worked in a large pork manufacturing business, and later spent ten years leading the Food Safety and Quality team at Kepak Bodmin in Cornwall. Kepak Bodmin was hugely formative for me — the exposure, accountability and strong team around me played a major part in my development. Those experiences laid the groundwork for stepping into a broader role supporting Kepak’s UK primary operations, and I’m incredibly grateful for that progression.

What would you say your top strength or superpower is and how has it helped you in your role?

My superpower is my people skills. Kepak is built on strong teams, and I genuinely enjoy leading with a mix of strength, care and support. Coaching, mentoring and helping others grow is a big part of how I lead, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the Food Safety & Quality teams across our primary sites develop and gain confidence. Given the high standards we uphold, teamwork is everything — and we’re fortunate to have it in abundance.

Tell us about one of the biggest challenges to date in you career and one key learning you took from it?

My biggest challenge has been transitioning from a site‑based role into a wider UK role supporting three primary operations. At site level you’re immersed in every detail and have strong personal familiarity with the people and processes. Moving into a group role requires a different type of leadership - relying more on influence, strong communication and trust in the local teams.

The key learning for me has been to embrace that shift in style and trust the brilliant people we have across Kepak. It’s a journey I’m still navigating, but one I’m enjoying and learning from every day.

Who has influenced or inspired you along the way and what impact have they had on you?

I’ve been very lucky throughout my career. I’ve worked hard, but I’ve also been surrounded — both inside and outside Kepak — by exceptional, supportive women who have encouraged me, challenged me and believed in me at key moments. Their influence has shaped my confidence and ambition, and has made me more intentional in how I support others.

Reflecting on this makes me even more committed to paying it forward and contributing to a culture within Kepak where people feel encouraged and uplifted.

Our ongoing campaign is called Fuelled by Ambition where we celebrate ambitions both big & small. When you think about ambition, what does it look like for you at this stage of your life and career?

For me, ambition is about putting my experience to good use - strengthening our standards, supporting the development of our teams, and helping Kepak’s primary operations continue to deliver excellence across Food Safety and Quality. It’s about building a function where people thrive, feel supported and feel proud of the difference they make.

Looking ahead, what would you love to see change, improve or grow in the meat/food industry?

I’d love to see more focus on food-related subjects in schools and a broader understanding among young people of the career opportunities in businesses like Kepak. The perception of the industry can be narrow, but in reality it offers incredibly varied, skilled and future‑focused roles — especially as we embrace automation, robotics and AI.

We have a real opportunity to position companies like Kepak as exciting career destinations, showing the next generation how modern, technical and innovative this industry truly is.

Quickfire questions:

What’s your favourite cuisine?

A good curry, something hot and spicy and better still if enjoyed with good friends or family.

Favourite pastime or hobby?

Summertime is always spent on the beach.  Polzeath Beach in Cornwall is my favourite spot, there’s always a good vibe and plenty to do there.

In the winter, its all about the working my labs and cockers on local shoot and pub lunches with my family on a Sunday.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

Anything from David Guetta to Electonic 80’s..as long as its upbeat.

Favourite holiday destination?

It has to be Hawaii, the people are amazing, the scenery is out of this world & it has great culture and food…oh and of course fantastic beaches!