Meet Manan Bajjaj, a Food Safety Specialist, Management Consultant, and Systems Trainer with over two decades of experience in the industry. He is renowned for training over 10,000 professionals and consulting for 200+ clients across various food industry sectors. With expertise in international standards like HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, and more, Manan is passionate about empowering businesses to develop and deploy sustainable systems that ensure food safety. As the director of Tresbon Consulting Solutions and Services, he drives innovation and excellence in the industry, giving a new direction to the future of food safety and compliance.
Establishing Tresbon Consulting: The Inspiration
Manan’s decision to establish his own business was driven by a deep passion and a strong desire for independence. After gaining over a decade of experience in training and consulting, he took a bold leap to found Tresbon Consulting. He believed that to get big results, one has to take big risks. His father’s words, “Darr ke aage Jeet hai” (Beyond fear lies victory), gave him the courage to follow his dream.
“I was aware that starting a business is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires careful planning, resilience, and a willingness to adapt,” he says.
Shaping Leadership Style through Experience
Manan’s journey in the food safety and compliance industry has significantly shaped his leadership style. Being a qualified food technologist helped him enter the industry, where he learned the importance of adaptation while working in different departments. His experience in consulting further broadened his perspective, exposing him to a variety of leadership approaches, which he continues to study and tailor to suit different clients and situations. For Manan, effective leadership in today’s fast-paced, competitive world hinges on one essential trait: flexibility.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
Manan views challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Throughout his journey, he has faced several significant challenges, including breaking into the food industry, where food technology is a relatively new field. He started his journey as a Production Executive and leveraged his passion, adaptability, and eagerness to learn traditions into various roles.
His decision to relocate from Delhi to Mumbai to pursue opportunities in the Training and Consulting industry was a significant challenge. However, with the support of his family and wife, he successfully made the transition.
The next challenge was when Manan left the job and started his own company, but with help from family, friends, and client support, it was not difficult to manage. During the COVID pandemic, Manan adopted the new normal by launching Tresbon Online Training Academy for self-paced programs for professionals and www.blogsbymanan.com, allowing him to continue sharing his expertise with professionals and industry fellows.
The Initial Inspiration for Food Safety and Compliance
As a food technologist, Manan was naturally drawn to the food industry. His interest in Food Safety and Compliance stemmed from his academic background and the growing importance of this field. He saw a chance to create a notable impact and build his career around it.
The Driving Force
With over 10,000 training hours and experience consulting for 200+ clients, Manan’s passion for training and consulting stems from the impact his knowledge can have on others. It gives me immense pleasure, satisfaction, and peace of mind when his clients achieve something through his guidance and teamwork.
Ensuring Lasting Food Safety Practices
Manan’s approach to food safety goes beyond obtaining certifications—he focuses on building sustainable systems that create long-term impact. Before engaging with clients, Manan assesses their goals upfront and only partners with those looking for actual system implementation.
His leadership strategy centres on continuous self-improvement; he invests in staying updated with changing standards so his team can effectively guide clients through evolving compliance landscapes.
Manan also addresses common misconceptions around food safety regulations, including the notion that compliance is impractical or unnecessary, by educating clients on the value and practicality of proper compliance practices.
Key Trends: Shaping the Future of Food Safety and Compliance
Manan identifies major trends, including the involvement of industry representatives in industry changes and a more stringent approach towards audits/inspections. These developments will enhance food safety compliance visibility and boost customer confidence.
The Future of Training in Food Safety: Digital Tools and E-learning
Manan believes digital tools and e-learning will play a significant role, enabling faster knowledge dissemination to a wider audience. However, he notes that physical interaction remains more effective for problem-solving and solution-finding, particularly when training groups. While digital modes can facilitate training for motivated individuals, Manan still feels that physical interactions yield better results.
Tresbon Consulting’s Vision for the Future
As Tresbon’s long-term vision, Manan aims to establish the company as a market leader in training, consulting, and solution providers for food, packaging, and allied industries. He envisions creating growth opportunities for his team, clients, and professionals who may not have access to top-tier consulting services. By developing more skilled professionals, Manan hopes to give back to the industry that has taught him valuable lessons throughout his career.
Words of Wisdom
Manan Bajjaj advises businesses to build a strong compliance culture by either having in-house resources or engaging competent consultants who can help achieve their goals. If hiring new people or consultants is not feasible, organizations should focus on upskilling their existing people to understand and meet applicable requirements.
