Robert Thomas is the Sr. Lead Auditor, Food Safety and Compliance at Maple Leaf Foods, where he is responsible for assessing compliance of GFSI and regulatory food safety and quality programs for plants producing CFIA, USDA and FDA regulated foods such as animal and plant-based proteins. He is also a certified Approved Training Partner with BRCGS for delivering training to delegates in auditing, HACCP, Gluten-Free Management Systems and BRCGS Food and Storage/Distribution Standards. Robert has worked for Maple Leaf Foods for 9+ years with previous roles including FSQA management of co-manufacturers for various acidified, fermented and IQF food products produced globally and within Canada. He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo and a Masters of Science in Crop Science from the University of Guelph.