Amita Bernardi
Werribee,VIC
Summary
Dynamic regulatory policy professional with extensive experience in the Victorian public service and commercial sectors. Proven expertise in developing communication strategies and engaging stakeholders to drive development initiatives through regular interactions, including meetings, workshops, and seminars. A strong background in quality assurance programs and revision of industry standards has facilitated effective compliance support for diverse stakeholders, including government departments and licensed food businesses. Currently enhancing training and assessment capabilities through the TAE 40122 Certificate IV at Gordon TAFE, aimed at delivering robust guidance on job-related competencies.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Director/Principal Consultant
Food Safety Programs Pty Ltd
- 04.2025
- Advise industry professionals on career development and specialist training.
- Coordinate food safety training for food businesses, government and community groups
- Develop pathways for alternative food production, including cultured meat and seafood.
- Prepare food safety documentation and support businesses in audit readiness.
- Manage company budget and policies.
Manager Information and Support Services
PrimeSafe
01.2014 - 04.2025
- Engaged with stakeholders through technical forums, workshops, seminars, and meetings.
- Addressed queries and complaints from licensed businesses, consumers, auditors, and government agencies.
- Trained and assessed internal staff and external auditors for food processing audits and inspections.
- Contributed to the review of standards on food safety, animal welfare, and biosecurity.
- Managed departmental and project budgets (DECCA and FRDC).
- Prepared annual reports, reviews, and guidance documents for various industry and government stakeholders.
- Leadership 1-2 staff & 25-30 external auditors
Value Added Operations Manager
JBS Australia Pty Ltd
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Supervised a processing team responsible for producing value-added meat products for supermarkets and wholesalers.
- Oversaw recruitment activities and managed the operations department budget.
- Coordinated with auditors and third-party stakeholders regarding food safety issues.
- Tracked and reported process throughputs and KPIs to senior management.
- Leadership 100-110
Technical Manager
Kerry Ingredients
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Led technical team to deliver safe food.
- Handled customer enquiries and complaints.
- Liaised with auditors and third parties on food safety.
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, QSR, and supermarket chains.
- Managed budget and reported financials to Board.
- Leadership 8-10
QA Coordinator
Somerville Retail Services
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Led GMP/HACCP/Food Safety program as site supervisor.
- Managed QA functions and conducted food safety audits.
- Handled complaints and customer inquiries.
- Leadership 6-8
QA Manager
Henry Jones Foods
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Led QA, R&D, and vendor assurance teams.
- Oversaw technical/QA budgets and financial reporting.
- Presented KPIs and project updates at management and board meetings.
- Leadership 6-8
Education
Certificate IV - Training and Workplace Assessment
Gordon Tafe
01.2025
PhD - Food Science
Victoria University
01.2002
Postgraduate Diploma - Food Science
Victoria University
01.1992
BSc - Science
University of the South Pacific
01.1990
Skills
- Cultivating strong partnerships
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
Timeline
Manager Information and Support Services
PrimeSafe
01.2014 - 04.2025
Value Added Operations Manager
JBS Australia Pty Ltd
01.2013 - 01.2014
Technical Manager
Kerry Ingredients
01.2006 - 01.2013
QA Coordinator
Somerville Retail Services
01.2003 - 01.2006
QA Manager
Henry Jones Foods
01.2001 - 01.2003
Director/Principal Consultant
Food Safety Programs Pty Ltd
- 04.2025
Postgraduate Diploma - Food Science
Victoria University
BSc - Science
University of the South Pacific
Certificate IV - Training and Workplace Assessment
Gordon Tafe
PhD - Food Science
Victoria University
Hobbies and Interests
Spending time in my garden planting vegetables and tropical flowers., Preparing unusual dishes that I’ve had during my travels., Travelling to places I haven’t been before.
Community Service
Salvation Army donations and Assistance (Melbourne), Share -A-Can SPC (Shepparton), Red Cross, Woman’s Shelter
Personal Development
- 2024 – AED (Automated External Defibrillation)
- 2024 – Apply First Aid
- 2024 – Resilience Training (Spring fox)
Professional Development
- 2023 - Food Safety Management Systems - HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical Control)
- 2021 – Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) – workplace training
- 2020 – Food Safety Management Systems - HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical Control)
- 2020 – Women in Agribusiness & Primary Industries Leadership
- 2019 – Client Interaction and Conflict Management “Peace” Training
- 2018 – Executive Consequence Management
- 2018 – Managing Regulation Enforcement and Compliance ANZSOG
Professional Engagements
- 2024 - 2025 Participation in the revision of the Safe Manufacturing of Smallgoods – Australian Meat Industry Council.
- 2024 – 2025 Participation in the revision of the National Food Safety Auditor Guidelines.
- 2024 – 2016 Compilation and issue of Food Safety programs to small and medium sized businesses.
- 2024 – 2014 Preparation and launch of technical guidelines, factsheets training material and eNews.
- 2024 – 2014 Participation in the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Advisory Committee.
- 2024 – 2014 Participation in the Victorian Foodborne Illness Strategy.
- 2023 - Participation in the Technical Committee for revision of AS4696 -2023 Australian Standard for the Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products.
- 2023 - Participation in the Technical Committee for the revision of AS 5812 - 2023 Manufacturing and Marking of Pet food.
- 2021 – Participation in Victorian Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy.
- 2021 – Participation in the revision of the Microbiological Compendium for the Food Standards Code.