Yashna Chummun, at the forefront of quality
At the laboratory of Moulins de la Concorde, Yashna Chummun holds a strategic position as Senior Laboratory Analyst. She has been working in this environment for nearly four years and actively contributes to the smooth running of analytical activities and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
Holding a BSc in Agri-Science and Technology, with a specialization in biosecurity, Yashna Chummun is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Total Quality Management and Performance Excellence. This demanding academic path naturally complements her responsibilities within the laboratory.
“My main role is to validate analytical methods, carry out analyses on flour and wheat samples, and ensure the laboratory’s compliance with the ISO 17025 standard,” she explains.
On a daily basis, she oversees several key areas: management of the ISO 17025 standard and its associated technical documentation, test planning, equipment calibration and maintenance planning, as well as supervising and training laboratory analysts. It is a cross-functional role that requires rigor, organization, and strong anticipation skills.
The Senior Laboratory Analyst’s days begin with planning. At the end of each week, the team meets to organize upcoming analyses and set priorities. The laboratory receives daily samples from the mill and the packing unit: flour, wheat, or tortillas. Yashna ensures that each sample is properly analyzed, that reports are issued on time, and that results meet the required specifications.
Among the challenges of the role, she highlights managing urgent requests. “Delivery constraints can create peaks in activity, particularly at the start of the day. Before any product is released, it must be analyzed and validated.” Equipment reliability is also a key factor, although technical incidents remain rare thanks to rigorous monitoring.
Leading a team of three analysts, Yashna supervises and verifies all analyses carried out. It is a role that is both demanding and developmental, requiring constant support and close attention to detail.
Convinced by the diversity and opportunities offered by scientific careers, she encourages young people to pursue this field: “Food science offers many prospects and allows you to move into different specializations. It is a broad and particularly rewarding sector.”