A Journey to Excellence: The Digital Crusader of Sterling

In her office at Sterling, Compliance Manager Sarah Surber sits at her desk, surrounded by the soft hum of machines—a setting as unassuming as her role might seem to outsiders. Yet, it is a cornerstone of the company’s success.

Her journey to this pivotal position combines grit, passion, and an insatiable curiosity for quality management.

“My first job was in the freezing cold warehouses of what was then IBP, now Tyson. The freezers that housed packages were shipped all over the U.S. I worked in the office, monitoring different account's products, ensuring they were receiving what they had ordered. I also utilized the First In First Out method here. It was tough, but it taught me resilience,” Sarah recounts with a smile. She then moved to handling export compliance for the USDA, ensuring every document was perfect prior to presenting it to the USDA inspector.. “That’s where my love for precision began.”

Sarah then transitioned to their own family business, a wholesale distributor of military components. This ignited her passion for quality management systems. “Writing and learning all the manual processes and procedures of ISO 9001 in 2003 and then building the system from the ground up, I discovered the power of a good management system. It can change a company from the inside out,” she explains, “And my nerd-side love of implementation and quality came from there.”

Along the way, Sarah witnessed standards improve and discovered the aerospace side, AS9120, which has even more stringent requirements. “In keeping track of building the government side of our business, there’s a lot of requirements and clauses of the Department of Defense that have to be met,” she expounds, “So having a robust management system is non-negotiable. Your customers require it, especially on the federal side. And to hold your certification, you are accountable to the registrars. Government entities come in and audit you as well.”

By the time she joined Sterling in September 2022, Sarah had 22 years of experience in the family business and was a seasoned expert in the world of compliance and quality. At Sterling, she immediately noticed the rapid evolution of digital platforms. “The digital side has been a game changer,” she notes, “Standards are becoming more cohesive across industries, and that’s where innovation really starts.”

As Compliance Manager, Sarah spearheaded the implementation of ComplianceQuest, a move that would redefine the company’s approach to compliance and quality. “Bringing CQ on board was revolutionary,” she proudly states, “It allows us to streamline processes, provide accurate reports, and save time.”

Her leadership extends beyond systems and processes to her team of two. “Sharing knowledge is crucial,” she emphasizes, “I believe in being an open book with my team. As I learn, I teach. It creates a culture of cohesion and continuity.”

Sarah's dedication to quality and compliance has transformed Sterling. Her efforts ensure that the company not only meets but also surpasses the highest standards. “Sterling’s values of being ethical, consistent, transparent, and predictable align perfectly with my approach,” she notes, “We aim to exceed customer expectations and build lifelong partnerships.

In an industry where change is constant and standards are ever-evolving, Sarah Surber stands as a model of adaptability and innovation. Her path from icy storage units to the bustling halls of Sterling is as unconventional as it is inspiring. And her journey to the digital frontier is a testament to the power of dedication and the impact of one person who embraces technology and leads with integrity.

Sarah’s vision for the future is clear. “I want ComplianceQuest to be accessible to all employees, enabling us to meet and exceed expectations,” she says. Her excitement is palpable as she speaks of AI integration, “AI within ComplianceQuest guides even the newest users, offering hints and assistance. It's like having a digital assistant.”

Her ability to adopt and adapt to technological advancements has made her a hero in her field. But Sarah remains grounded, offering advice to others on a similar journey: “Believe in yourself. Know that a non-conformance is not a failure but a lesson. It’s about having an ethical practice and never second-guessing your instincts.”

IT Solutions Provider is Completing Key Quality Processes in Just Minutes with ComplianceQuest EQMS

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