Kristie and her team make sure the right products are in the right place at the right time with a passion for food and sustainability each step of the way!
As Vice President of Supply Chain Planning & Fulfilment, Kristie Syndikus is a recognized leader in supply chain management, with a focus on both operational excellence and the purpose-driven culture at Maple Leaf Foods. Bringing robust experience over the course of her career, Kristie is experienced in handling the complexities of global manufacturing. Her approach is grounded in agility, innovation, and collaboration — qualities essential for navigating today’s food industry.
Kristie explains that she was drawn to Maple Leaf Foods by its strong Canadian brands and reputation for purpose-led growth. She immediately saw opportunities to leverage her background to meet the unique challenges of supply chain and manufacturing in the food sector. What keeps Kristie engaged is the organization’s deep commitment to sustainability, the opportunity for tangible impact, and a culture that values its Purpose and people.
Kristie’s journey demonstrates how expertise honed in rigorous global environments can help drive meaningful, positive changes within the food industry. By sharing her perspective, Kristie offers valuable lessons on leading with purpose — providing insights relevant to anyone seeking to build stronger organizations in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
What is your role and what do you do daily at Maple Leaf Foods?
I lead our Supply Chain Planning and Fulfilment team, which plays a critical role in making sure our products reach customers and consumers seamlessly.
Every day my team plans demand for Maple Leaf Food products to ensure we meet customer and consumer needs. We engage with our manufacturing teams to schedule production in a way that balances efficiency with flexibility. We collaborate with customers to manage orders and ensure service levels are met. We schedule deliveries so that our products move reliably through the supply chain, and we manage our warehouses, where we store and control inventory across the network.
I strive to drive efficiency, build resilience, and ensure our operations reflect Maple Leaf Foods’ Purpose to Raise the Good in Food for people everywhere.
What does Raising the Good in Food mean to you?
To me, it’s about creating an impact that goes beyond the products we make. It’s about ensuring that every decision — from how we source ingredients, to how we operate our plants, to how we bring food to dinner tables — reflects our commitment to doing better for people, animals, and the planet.
Coming from a manufacturing and supply chain background, I see this purpose come alive in the way we drive operational excellence and sustainability together. Raising the Good in Food means building supply chains that are not only efficient and resilient, but also ethical, responsible, and designed to reduce our environmental footprint.
On a personal level, it’s also about pride. I know that the work I do at Maple Leaf Foods helps deliver food people can trust, while also contributing to a more sustainable future. It connects my day-to-day efforts with something bigger — improving the way food is made, shared, and valued in society.
How do you Raise the Good in Food in your everyday life – inside and outside of work?
For me, it starts with how I lead and engage with my team every day. I focus on deep collaboration and accountability to drive meaningful value across our operations, ensuring that our work contributes not only to business performance but also to our broader purpose.
Beyond my role, I actively participate in Maple Leaf Foods’ volunteering initiatives — from supporting food banks to contributing to community gardens — and through the Social Committee, I help organize events that give back to our communities, such as back-to-school drives. These activities allow me to bring our purpose to life in ways that extend beyond our plants and offices.
I also carry this commitment into my personal life. I volunteer with several organizations, including serving on the Industrial Committee for the Daily Bread Food Bank and acting as an industry advisor for the Engineering Program at McMaster University. I also dedicate time to supporting the Newmarket Food Pantry and staying actively involved in my children’s school community. Each of these roles gives me the opportunity to use my skills and experience to support causes that matter, strengthen communities, and inspire the next generation.
To me, Raising the Good in Food is about driving positive change, supporting communities, and ensuring that the work I do contributes to something bigger than myself, both professionally and personally.
How do you inspire others to Raise the Good in Food?
I have always found that inspiration comes from leading by example and helping others feel empowered to connect their work to our Purpose.
With my team, I focus on deep engagement — making sure they understand the value of their contributions and how their efforts directly connect to Maple Leaf Foods’ mission. By celebrating wins, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring their voices are heard, I try to create an environment where people feel proud of what they do and are motivated to do even more.
As mentioned, I participate in volunteering activities, social committee events, and Purpose-driven projects. I find that when people see leaders rolling up their sleeves and actively engaging in these initiatives, it sends a powerful signal and encourages others to join in.
I find it’s also important to connect work to impact, and I remind colleagues that their day-to-day responsibilities — whether in operations, supply chain, or beyond — ultimately tie back to something bigger: providing safe, delicious food that’s made on a foundation of sustainability. That perspective helps people see their roles not just as jobs, but as opportunities to create meaningful change.
Inspiration, to me, isn’t about big speeches — it’s about consistent actions, authentic engagement, and helping people see how their individual contributions ladder up to our shared Purpose of Raising the Good in Food.
Are there any noteworthy projects related to our Purpose that you’re currently working on that you can share details about?
One of the most exciting initiatives I’m currently leading is through my role as the leader of the Operations Purpose Council workstream. Our focus is on bringing our Purpose to life every day by creating visibility, community, and connections across our operations. That includes things like beautiful food photography on our site walls, exclusive merchandise for Team Members, and access to purchase Maple Leaf Foods products.
The goal of this workstream is to help Team Members feel proud of their contributions, more connected to each other, and more engaged with our Purpose in practical, everyday ways.
What’s your favourite product from our family of brands? How do you prepare it?
It’s hard to pick just one, but a few of my favourites stand out:
Maple Leaf Prime Chicken – I love its versatility. I often marinate it with fresh herbs, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon, then grill it for a simple but flavourful weeknight dinner. It’s a staple in my kitchen because it works for everything from quick meals to family gatherings.
Schneiders Schnitzel – This is a comfort food favourite in my household. I usually bake it until golden and crispy, then serve it with roasted potatoes and a fresh salad. It’s an easy meal that feels special and is always a hit with my family.
Schneiders Bacon – A classic! I prepare it in the oven, so it cooks evenly and stays crispy. It’s perfect alongside eggs for breakfast, but I also love using it to add flavour to salads, pastas, or even as a topping on burgers.
These products are not just delicious — they also connect back to the pride I feel from working at Maple Leaf Foods, knowing I’m part of the journey that brings them to Canadian families’ tables.
