In acknowledgement of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re delighted to share an interview with Senior Nutritionist and Laboratory Manager, Tarryn Nortje, whose career journey demonstrates the opportunities available to grow and develop at Inghams.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated annually on 11 February to promote full and equal access to and participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields for women and girls. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2015, this day highlights the critical role women play in science and technology.
Tarryn’s role sits at the heart of our commitment to providing deliciously good food in the best way, ensuring quality and precision across our entire production chain. We sat down with her to learn more about her work and what it’s like to build a career in science at Inghams.
1. When did you start working at Inghams?
I started working with Inghams in August of 2021 after five years with a stock feed manufacturer. Prior to this I worked at a poultry integrator in South Africa.
2. What’s your role, and some of your day-to-day responsibilities?
As a Senior Nutritionist and Laboratory Manager at Inghams, I have dual responsibilities across nutrition and laboratory operations.
On the nutrition side, my day-to-day work involves assessing the nutrient composition of raw materials delivered to our feedmills, updating poultry feed formulations to optimise nutrition, and providing guidance to the feed mill on raw material quality. I also support our procurement team in evaluating new raw material opportunities.
A key part of my role is collaborating closely with our farming and veterinary teams to understand field observations and provide nutrition support and advice based on what we’re seeing with bird health and performance.
Staying current with emerging research and innovative products is essential. Along with the nutrition team, I’m involved in translating available research into practical applications—developing new and improved chicken nutrition specifications for the Inghams group and trialling them at our research farm in South East Queensland. This work is critical to continuously enhancing both bird performance and welfare.
On the laboratory management side, I’m responsible for ensuring that our lab runs efficiently and maintains compliance with all relevant standards and regulations. This includes overseeing quality control procedures and managing laboratory staff. I also review test results before they’re released and being the primary point of contact for any technical issues or regulatory inspections.
3. What’s the role of the lab, and its important role to Inghams and food quality?
The role of the laboratory is to provide accurate and timely results across many sectors of Inghams’ business in order to ensure that our renowned quality standards are upheld throughout the entire production chain.
The laboratory provides testing of swabs and water samples across processing, farming, and feed milling to ensure our stringent hygiene standards are being met.
Testing of raw materials from our feed mills gives the nutrition team insight into their quality and composition, allowing the production of precise feed formulations for our birds. Microbiology testing of our finished products ensures that the products supplied to our customers are always of the highest quality.
Essentially, the lab acts as a quality assurance checkpoint at every critical stage—from raw materials to finished product—protecting both food safety and Inghams’ reputation.
4. How big is the team?
The team currently consists of 8 members including myself with a new laboratory technician joining us early next week.
5. What attracted you to Inghams?
My background as a nutritionist makes Inghams’ vertical integration particularly exciting. I can observe the full nutrition chain—from how breeder nutrition affects chick quality, to how our feed formulations drive bird performance, right through to the final products customers receive. It’s a holistic perspective you simply can’t get in a non-integrated operation.
6. Why do you think Inghams is a good place to work?
I think Inghams is a good place to work for several reasons. First, as a fully integrated operation, Inghams provides unique learning opportunities across the entire production chain. It offers an end-to-end understanding that is incredibly valuable for professional growth.
Second, there’s a genuine commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Third, there’s strong support and investment in people and their development.
Finally, the work we do matters. We’re producing food that feeds families, and we do it with attention to animal welfare, food safety, and excellence in everything we produce.
7. What advice do you have for other women thinking of joining the field of science?
My advice would be to pursue it with confidence and curiosity. Science needs diverse perspectives, and women bring valuable insights and approaches to problem-solving that strengthen the field.
Find mentors and build your network—both women and men who support your growth. I’ve found that having people who believe in you and can offer guidance makes a huge difference, especially when navigating challenges or career decisions. Be open to attending events in your chosen field in order to broaden your networking opportunities. I have always found people in the Science field and particularly the animal Science field enthusiastic to share their knowledge with burgeoning scientists.
Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some of the best learning happens when you admit what you don’t know and dig deeper. Science is all about inquiry, so use that mindset.
The field of science consists of many exciting pathways. Whether you end up in research, industry, quality control, management, or a combination like I have, your scientific training opens many doors. Stay open to opportunities, even if they look different from what you initially imagined.
8. How do you feel Inghams’ leaders have supported your growth at Inghams?
The leaders at Inghams have always been open to providing mentorship and advice that has helped me develop my own leadership skills. They’ve given me opportunities to interact with and learn from many parts of the business—from procurement to production—which has significantly broadened my insights and knowledge. Most recently, they supported my transition into a leadership role myself with the laboratory, which has been an incredible opportunity for growth.
9. You’ve recently had Mary-Jay from the CareerTrackers program working in the team, a program that supports First Nations tertiary students with meaningful workplace placements, and a budding STEM enthusiast – what have been the benefits of having her intern?
Having Mary-Jay as an intern has provided operational support for routine testing while allowing me to develop my mentorship skills. Interns bring fresh perspectives that often prompt us to look at our current processes and may even lead to improvements. It’s been rewarding to contribute to developing the next generation of scientists. It’s truly mutually beneficial.
Tarryn’s story demonstrates what makes Inghams a good place to work and grow your career—the opportunity to expand your expertise across diverse areas, supportive leadership that invests in your development, and meaningful work that makes a difference. Her journey from nutritionist to laboratory manager shows how careers can evolve at Inghams, with opportunities to take on new challenges and develop leadership skills along the way.
If you’re interested in exploring career opportunities at Inghams, visit our careers page: https://lnkd.in/gfHhRtgC
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