Editor’s Note: Over the next few weeks on CPO Rising, we’re publishing some “best of” 2022 articles as we reflect on the year and prepare for the new year ahead.
Welcome to Procurement News! We’re proud to share the announcements, hirings, and notable mentions of Chief Procurement Officers and other procurement leaders that appeared on CPO Rising in 2022. Contact us with your news story here.
Javier Echevarria Joins Ingredion as Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer
Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food manufacturing industry, named Javier Echevarria as vice president and chief procurement officer. He will be responsible for the global procurement organization, including supply chain operations and strategic sourcing.
According to Eric Seip, senior vice president of global operations and chief supply chain officer, “Javier is an accomplished global leader whose experience, stellar reputation, and proven track record of past performance are exceptional,” said Seip. “Investing in leading talent in procurement and supply chain is critical as we identify efficiencies for our customers and scale for the future. We look forward to having an executive of Javier’s caliber join Ingredion.”
Prior to joining Ingredion, Echevarria served as chief executive officer for VVF Americas, a manufacturing and distribution company of personal care products and oleochemicals.
Read the full announcement here.
UPSIDE Foods Appoints Sheetal Shah as SVP of Supply Chain & Manufacturing
UPSIDE Foods, a leading company in the cultivated meat, poultry, and seafood industry, announced the appointment of Sheetal Shah as senior vice president of supply chain and manufacturing. Shah will oversee UPSIDE’s production facilities — including its existing Engineering, Production and Innovation Center (EPIC) and future larger-scale commercial facilities and quality functions.
According to Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder of UPSIDE Foods, “Sheetal has everything it takes to be an UPSIDER: a deep commitment to making our favorite foods a force for good, a proven track record of solving seemingly intractable challenges, and a passion for human health, animal welfare, and the environment,” said Valeti. “I am thrilled to welcome Sheetal to the team as we unlock some of the most critical opportunities for the cultivated meat industry.”
Shah is joining the company during a period of significant strategic growth. UPSIDE recently announced a record-breaking $400 million Series C round, providing major industry opportunities around scale, supply chain, and consumer adoption. In the last year, the business rebranded from Memphis Meats to UPSIDE Foods, announcing chicken as its first consumer product.
Prior to joining UPSIDE, Shah’s 25 years of experience include senior management roles at Impossible Foods and Verifone.
Read the full announcement here.
Stoneridge Appoints New Chief Procurement Officer
Stoneridge Inc., a global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic vehicle systems, announced the appointment of Salvatore (Sal) Orsini as chief procurement officer. In this new role, Orsini will have responsibility for all aspects of the company’s global procurement organization, including purchasing, supplier quality, and global supply chain strategy.
Stoneridge President and CEO Jon DeGaynor, said, “As Stoneridge continues to grow in each of our segments and across the world, a sustainable and resilient supply chain is a cornerstone of our success. Sal’s proven purchasing and supply chain leadership experience will be key in executing our long-term strategy.”
With more than 25 years in global supply chain management, Orsini brings a wealth of experience from both the automotive and aerospace industries. Most recently, Orsini served as vice president, global chief supply management officer for Nexteer Automotive. His prior experience includes leadership roles at General Motors, Aptiv, Rolls-Royce Aerospace, and Delphi.
Read the full announcement here.
GDK and New CPO Eye More Global Expansion
German Doner Kebab (GDK), a fast-casual brand with a premium, high-quality approach to traditional doner kebabs, announced the appointment of Deon Pillay as its chief procurement and sustainability officer.
According to Imran Sayeed, CEO of GDK International, “We are delighted to be welcoming Deon Pillay to the GDK family. He has a fantastic breadth of experience across global markets and knows how to create a well-run and cost-efficient supply chain. Deon will be instrumental in our international expansion plans and will further reinforce GDK as a game-changing brand.”
Pillay brings more than 18 years of senior supply chain and procurement leadership experience, with past corporate engagements that include Peloton, Mars, Samsung, and Nando’s Grocery. While at Nando’s, Pillay led the company’s global supply chain transformation, initiating best-in-class processes and supply partners.
Read the full announcement here.
Sandra Yu Stahl Takes Over Detroit Procurement Department
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced that General Services Department executive Sandra Yu Stahl has been appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Chief Procurement Officer to manage purchasing and contracting for city government.
As Director of General Services Department, Stahl has led operations for Detroit’s facilities, vehicle fleet, parks, recreation, blight remediation, and animal control. In addition to the 800 employees and $150 million budget for city services she had been leading, Stahl last year took over responsibility for the rollout of $200 million of ARPA-funded projects, including expanding recreation centers, implementing the Skills for Life workforce development, and beautification projects across Detroit.
According to Stahl, “My goals are to continue Boysie Jackson’s leadership in running this department on the principles of integrity and inclusion,” she said. “As Detroit continues our recovery, I’m committed that the city’s procurement department does everything possible to make sure Detroiters get every opportunity to succeed in our purchases.”
Read the full announcement here.
PVH Corp. Appoints David Savman as Chief Supply Chain Officer
PVH Corp. announced the appointment of David Savman as Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO). He will join PVH in late 2022 from H&M Group where he spent 19 years, most recently as head of global supply chain.
Savman will be responsible for the global supply chain and sourcing strategy for PVH’s iconic global brands, including TOMMY HILFIGER and Calvin Klein, and will report to CEO Stefan Larsson. At H&M Group, Savman led all sourcing, procurement, and warehouse operations and managed an organization across over 80 countries. He previously managed key functions including supply chain, production, and purchasing, and worked in several international markets across Asia and Europe.
According to Larsson, “David is a world-class supply chain executive who has deep experience and expertise in our sector, gained through many years of leadership in critical areas where we see opportunity,” he said. “With his proven ability to simplify complexity, strong ability to create value through a demand and data-driven value chain, deep experience in international markets, and commitment to sustainability, he will play an important role in driving our PVH+ plan forward.”
Read the full announcement here.
Bacardi Limited Appoints Dave Ingram Chief Supply Chain Officer
Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, announced the appointment of Dave Ingram as Chief Supply Chain Officer. Ingram brings 30 years of supply chain and strategic sourcing experience to Bacardi where he will lead the end-to-end supply chain experience — from achieving the company’s goal of sustainably sourcing key ingredients, to leading operations sites across the globe, to managing a robust supply chain track that brings products to shelves and consumers’ hands.
According to Mahesh Madhavan, chief executive officer of Bacardi Limited, “Dave’s passion for leading with purpose and ensuring a long-term sustainable business model makes him a great fit as we continue building on the future legacy of Bacardi,” he said.
“His global experience, collaborative approach, digital focus, and leadership style will be an asset to our team and to our customers across the world. We are excited to welcome him as he delivers on dynamic sourcing that will bring our iconic brands to consumers in the most efficient and responsible way possible.”
Read the full announcement here.
Beyond Gravity Appoints Jingyuan Sun Chief Procurement Officer for Space and Group Procurement
Beyond Gravity, the space supplier, across 12 locations and six countries worldwide, announced the appointment of Jingyuan Sun as its new chief procurement officer (CPO) for Space and Group Procurement as well as Logistics.
In her role as chief procurement officer (CPO), she will report directly to the CEO and will take a direct seat on the Executive Board.
The company states that Jingyuan Sun emphasizes strategic long-term partnerships and digital, efficient supply chain processes. Further, she will also increasingly focus on the topics of business intelligence and data-based analytics. Since 2011, Jingyuan Sun has held various leadership roles in procurement for SR Technics, most recently as VP of customer account management and invoicing.
According to André Wall, CEO for Beyond Gravity, “It was important to me to bring procurement and logistics closer together. With Jingyuan Sun, we are gaining a strong and experienced leader who will make procurement and logistics the backbone of our growth.”
Read the full announcement here.
The J.M Smucker Co. Names Gagnesh Gupta Senior Vice President of Commodities and Procurement
The J.M Smucker Co. announced the election of Gagnesh Gupta as senior vice president of commodities and procurement and chief procurement officer.
Gupta brings more than 20 years of leadership experience with global Fortune 100 companies and deep expertise in the areas of supply chain strategy, global sourcing, commodities, risk management, packaging, and indirect procurement. In his new role, Gupta will oversee the company’s procurement function, supporting the organization’s ability to continue to efficiently source necessary ingredients and materials to deliver products across its portfolio.
According to John Brase, chief operating officer, “The efforts of our commodities and procurement teams have been instrumental to our success in a dynamic environment, and we are thrilled to have Gagnesh’s leadership to ensure we maintain this high level of performance,” he said.
“In addition to his impressive expertise, Gagnesh has a proven track record of building motivated, high-performing teams and nurturing key relationships with external partners. I am excited for the contributions I know he will make in support of our business and culture.
Read the full announcement here.
Kimberly-Clark Appoints Tamera Fenske To Chief Supply Chain Officer
Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced the appointment of Tamera Fenske to the role of Chief Supply Chain Officer.
The company states that Fenske will have global responsibilities for procurement, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, safety, and sustainability, as well as the company’s Global Nonwovens division.
According to Mike Hsu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kimberly-Clark, “Tamera’s proven leadership in supply chain and business transformation make her the right leader for our world-class supply chain operation,” he said. “I’m looking forward to her leadership as we continue to maximize the full potential of our global manufacturing footprint to drive our growth strategy for long-term value creation.”
Fenske joins Kimberly-Clark with deep experience leading manufacturing and supply chain operations. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of manufacturing and supply chain for 3M Company where she led the end-to-end supply chain for the company in the U.S. and Canada across all its business groups and markets.
Read the full announcement here.
Target Appoints Gretchen McCarthy to Chief Supply Chain and Logistics Officer
Target Corporation announced the appointment of Gretchen McCarthy to Chief Supply Chain and Logistics Officer. Formerly senior vice president, global inventory management, McCarthy succeeds Arthur Valdez.
The company states that McCarthy, an 18-year Target veteran, has held numerous leadership positions across the company. She brings a deep understanding of Target’s business operations, with experience spanning supply chain transformation, merchandise planning and buying. During her tenure at Target, she has built a global team, modernized inventory management technology resources, led through supply chain volatility during COVID-19 and navigated inventory optimization efforts.
According to Brian Cornell, Target CEO, “Gretchen will be an excellent addition to our leadership team. She is stepping into her role as a proven leader who will bring a deep understanding of our business operations, and a highly collaborative, solution-oriented approach to leadership,” Cornell said. “She and her global team will continue to drive our supply chain strategy to deliver for our guests and support strong enterprise growth.”
McCarthy will report to John Mulligan, Target’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Valdez and McCarthy have been partnering closely to ensure a smooth transition, and Valdez will continue working with the Target team in an advisory role through April 2023.
Read the full announcement here.
Kontoor Brands Appoints Ezio Garciamendez as Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer
Kontoor Brands, Inc., a global lifestyle apparel company with a portfolio led by two of the world’s most iconic consumer brands, Wrangler® and Lee®, announced the appointment of Ezio Garciamendez as Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer.
The company states that Garciamendez will have responsibility for all aspects of supply chain management, including global operations, planning, manufacturing, sourcing, quality, customer service, distribution, logistics, and master data governance. He will also oversee all components of the company’s supply chain strategy, including trade-related functions and operations.
According to Tom Waldron, Kontoor’s Executive Vice President, Co-Chief Operating Officer, and Global Brand President – Wrangler®, “Ezio’s impressive track record of innovation and excellence in the global supply chain industry, and experience rolling out advanced solutions across the most complex and multifaceted supply chains make him an invaluable addition to our team,” he said.
“His history of delivering operational excellence and process improvements across end-to-end global supply chain operations, combined with his background in international manufacturing and engineering, will fuel Kontoor’s competitive advantage in both our owned manufacturing and strategic sourcing model and make him a natural fit for our organization.”
Read the full announcement here.
Adrian Poretti Joins Hostess Brands as Chief Supply Chain Officer
Hostess Brands, Inc., a leading sweet snacks company, announced that Adrian Poretti has joined the company as Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO).
The company states that Poretti oversees all aspects related to the company’s operations and supply chain as Hostess Brands continues to grow its business. Poretti reports to Andy Callahan, president and CEO of Hostess Brands, and joins the company’s leadership team.
According to Callahan, “We are thrilled to have an executive of Adrian’s caliber join our company and our leadership team. With his deep industry expertise and global operational experience, Adrian is a great fit for Hostess Brands as we continue our journey of sustainable, long-term growth.”
Read the full announcement here.
Fred Beljaars Appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Delivery and Supply Chain Officer at Xerox
Xerox Holdings Corporation announced that it has appointed Fred Beljaars as Executive Vice President and Chief Delivery and Supply Chain Officer.
The company states that in this newly expanded role, Beljaars is responsible for leading all delivery, manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement operations globally and will focus on continuing to transform these missions to become more client-centric and strategic drivers for Xerox’s success.
According to Steve Bandrowczak, chief executive officer at Xerox, “Given ongoing inflationary pressures encumbering nearly every industry, we are focused on evolving our operations to directly improve customer outcomes,” he said. “Fred’s experience and expertise will help us advance our delivery models to drive greater customer satisfaction and overall experience.”
Read the full announcement here.
Babson Diagnostics Appoints David Vandersand as Vice President, Supply Chain
Babson Diagnostics, a science-first health care technology company, announced the appointment of David “Dutch” Vandersand as Vice President, Supply Chain.
According to the company, Vandersand will be responsible for leading procurement and supply chain strategy. He brings more than 20 years of medical device experience in procurement, planning, operations, and customer service.
Vandersand has deep expertise in resilient and scalable supply chains, new product introduction, collaborative supplier management, and effective technology deployment. Most recently he was vice president of manufacturing and operations at Lima USA, a global orthopedics company.
Read the full announcement here.
Curio Wellness Appoints Pamela Davis as Vice President, Supply Chain
Curio Wellness, a cGMP-certified, vertically integrated medical cannabis company and market-leading innovator of health and wellness products derived from cannabis, announced the appointment of Pamela Davis as Vice President of Supply Chain.
The company states that Davis will report to Curio Wellness Chief Operating Officer Rob Bellezza. With more than 20 years of supply chain and operations experience, Davis will plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, distribution, and logistics activities.
Read the full announcement here.
Catalyze Appoints Joseph Kiwak to SVP of Supply Chain Management
Catalyze, a clean energy transition company that builds, owns, and operates solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging systems for commercial and industrial customers, announced the expansion of its executive suite with the hire of energy sector supply chain executive Joseph Kiwak as senior vice president (SVP) of Supply Chain Management.
The company states that as the power, transportation, and building sectors work to transition to zero-emission energy sources, clean energy companies are attracting industry veterans who recognize the opportunity to be a part of innovative solutions that offer lower costs and greater reliability. Catalyze’s new additions to its leadership team will play a critical role in enhancing the company’s ability to deliver sustainable, profitable, and simplified energy solutions nationwide.
In his role as SVP of Supply Chain Management, Kiwak will be responsible for ensuring the availability, sustainability, and affordability of the resources needed to deliver Catalyze’s diverse clean energy solutions.
Kiwak boasts over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including executive positions at Sunfinity Renewable Energy, Sunnova Energy, and NRG Renew. He is thoroughly experienced at managing diverse, multidisciplinary teams in the execution and successful completion of multimillion-dollar projects within time and budget constraints, including more than 60 solar projects in C&I rooftop, community solar, as well as utility-scale and residential solar projects accounting for close to 1GW in total.
Read the full announcement here.
Volvo Cars Merges Procurement and Supply Chain Management Functions
Volvo Cars announced the merging of its procurement and supply chain management functions into a single function — Procurement & Supply Chain — led by Kerstin Enochsson. In her new role, she will become a member of the Group Management Team.
The company stated that the global supply chain landscape has never been more complex and challenging to navigate. Strong supply chain management and orchestration ensure our supplier footprint is fit for purpose and that our production planning is optimized for our commercial objectives. It also ensures parts are delivered to our plants on time and our cars reach our customers in line with expectations.
According to Enochsson, “I feel humbled by the scope our Procurement & Supply Chain function will cover. At the same time, I have extreme confidence in the teams, in the collaboration that we already have between our current functions, and our ability to contribute to the end-to-end value chain optimization we need in Volvo Cars,” she says.
Read the full announcement here.
Mondelēz Names Frank Cervi Chief Supply Chain Operations Officer
Mondelēz International, Inc. announced during its third-quarter earnings call that Frank Cervi has been named chief supply chain operations officer, reporting to chairman and CEO Dirk Van de Put. Cervi most recently served as the company’s head of supply chain strategy.
Van de Put congratulated outgoing chief supply chain officer Sandra MacQuillan who is retiring. “First, I would like to congratulate Sandra MacQuillan, our chief supply chain officer, on her well-deserved retirement,” he said. “Since joining Mondelez in 2019, Sandra has brought focus and clarity to our supply chain organization, with a people-first leadership style and an unrelenting commitment to doing it right from shelf to field. We thank her for her tremendous contributions.
“Frank Cervi has assumed the role of chief supply chain operations officer, reporting directly to me. Frank is a proven leader, bringing more than 30 years of global supply chain experience to the table.
“He has a strong drive for executional excellence, tackling big challenges and pursuing continuous improvement. His recent roles within Mondelēz, including, most recently, leading supply chain strategy, position him well for continued success,” Van de Put added.
Read the full announcement here.
Lovesac Appoints John Legg as Chief Supply Chain Officer
The Lovesac Company announced that John Legg has been appointed as chief supply chain officer. In this role, Legg will be responsible for leading the vision, strategy, and operations of Lovesac’s supply chain functions, including manufacturing, planning, inventory, distribution, and logistics.
According to Mary Fox, president and COO, “We are thrilled to welcome John as chief supply chain officer as we expand and strengthen our capabilities across our end-to-end global supply chain network, Fox said.
“As we continue to scale our brand, gain market share, and better serve our customers, John’s vast industry knowledge, leadership experience, and vision will play a fundamental role in building best-in-class supply chain operations at Lovesac to support our ambitious growth plans.”
Legg commented, “I’m excited to be joining Lovesac as chief supply chain officer, especially given the importance of the company’s world-class supply chain network, which supports its unparalleled customer experience, Designed for Life products, and Circle to Consumer philosophy,” Legg said.
“I look forward to working with the leadership team as we continue to grow the business and strengthen Lovesac’s positioning in the couch + home audio market.”
Read the full announcement here.
Keurig Dr Pepper Promotes Roger Johnson to CSCO
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. announced the appointment of Roger Johnson to chief supply chain officer, reporting to KDP CEO Ozan Dokmecioglu.
The company states that Johnson’s appointment, along with the promotion of two other senior supply chain leaders, is part of a strategic realignment of its supply chain structure, designed to strengthen focus, speed, and accountability at the business-unit level, while accelerating productivity across the enterprise.
Johnson is a highly experienced supply chain executive and general manager with more than 20 years of experience spanning the consumer durables, electronics, food and beverage, and automotive industries. He most recently served as chief product officer, where he was responsible for establishing KDP’s operations center in Singapore which successfully diversified KDP’s brewer manufacturing network across Asia. He was also the principal architect behind the company’s successful brewer innovation strategy, including KDP’s connected brewers and new BrewID technology.
According to Dokmecioglu, “We are fortunate to have such a strong supply chain bench, with experienced and talented leaders ready to assume expanded roles. I have worked with Roger for almost seven years, and I am confident that his strong leadership and deep experience in global supply chains will position him well, as we strengthen our focus on growth and operational excellence.”
Read the full announcement here.
United Natural Foods, Inc. Appoints Erin Horvath to CSCTO
United Natural Foods, Inc. announced that Erin Horvath has been appointed to the position of chief supply chain transformation officer (CSCTO), a new role which will collaborate across functions to help build UNFI’s transformation agenda and future capabilities, drive value creation for shareholders, and create an improving experience for customers and suppliers.
According to Horvath, “UNFI has a tremendous history and foundation in place, coupled with an exciting growth roadmap that is both aggressive and achievable. The food industry, like many industries, is experiencing significant change,” she said.
“UNFI’s focus on, and investment in, advancing technologies and transforming operations is a testament to leadership’s commitment to a long-term strategy that will best support customers and suppliers within this evolving landscape,” Horvath adds.
Horvath will oversee UNFI’s fulfillment network transformation, as well as lead automation initiatives, including the recently announced automation agreement with Symbotic.
Read the full announcement here.
Janelle Orozco Joins Kraft Heinz as North America Zone Chief Procurement Officer
The Kraft Heinz Company announced the appointment of Janelle Orozco to the role of chief procurement officer, North America. In this role, Orozco will shape the overall vision of North America Procurement and direct its continued transformation to become a best-in-class procurement organization.
The company states that Orozco will play a critical role in Kraft Heinz’s North America Zone and within the company’s global procurement organization. She will serve as a key member of the North America leadership team, reporting to both Carlos Abrams-Rivera, executive vice president & president, North America Zone, and Marcos Eloi, executive vice president & global chief procurement officer.
According to Abrams-Rivera, “We are on a quest to create a renowned procurement function that is built to deliver consistent results today and become a competitive advantage for the business in the future,” he said.
“Janelle joining our team is a marker of the transformation of this function. She brings a breadth of experience and a knack for developing diverse, high-performing teams. We’re excited to have her help lead us into the next phase of our journey,” adds Abrams-Rivera.
Read the full announcement here.
Zebra Technologies Appoints Tami Froese as CSCO
Zebra Technologies Corporation, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, announced that Tami Froese has been named chief supply chain officer.
According to Anders Gustafsson, chief executive officer for Zebra Technologies, “We are very pleased to have Tami join our executive team as chief supply chain officer,” he said. “Tami has been successful in the acting role over the past few months, and she has been instrumental in initiating meaningful actions to improve our supply chain.
“We are pleased to fill this critical position with internal talent as we continue to prioritize building a strong, inclusive culture with high-performing talent,” Gustafsson added.
The company stated that Froese joined Zebra in 2020 as vice president, global procurement with responsibility for all of Zebra’s direct and indirect procurement. Prior to Zebra, she worked at General Motors where she held leadership roles in supply chain and cross-functional leadership roles in manufacturing, engineering, and transformation.
Read the full announcement here.
Mayor Turner Appoints Jedediah Greenfield as Chief Procurement Officer for The City Of Houston
Houston, Texas Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the appointment of Jedediah Greenfield as the chief procurement officer, a role he has served on an interim basis since June.
The mayor’s office states that Greenfield joined the City of Houston in 2006. Before his interim role as chief procurement officer, Greenfield most recently served as assistant director of procurement and warehouse services for Houston Public Works. He oversaw procurement, contract development, management, and compliance for nearly $1B in goods and services annually.
According to Mayor Turner, “Jed has done a great job in the interim role and has proven himself an asset to the City. His steadfast leadership and institutional knowledge are superior,” Turner said. “My administration has focused on strict adherence to procurement rules and regulations. I am confident that Jed will continue to operate with the highest level of integrity.”
As CPO, Greenfield will lead day-to-day sourcing and procurement activities for the City of Houston under the direction of the chief business officer.
Read the full announcement here.
Avanos Medical, Inc. Appoints Sudhakar Varshney as Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain & Procurement
Avanos Medical, Inc. announced that Sudhakar Varshney has been appointed senior vice president, global supply chain & procurement. In this role, Varshney will lead a multinational team of more than 2,500 employees to drive the development and execution of the company’s supply chain capabilities worldwide.
The company states that Varshney joins Avanos from Antylia Scientific, a bioprocessing and life sciences organization, where he was senior vice president, global operations. His background includes more than 20 years in manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and continuous improvement leadership roles.
According to Joe Woody, chief executive officer for Avanos, “Given the ongoing supply chain challenges that continue to impact businesses around the world, we are very pleased to welcome Sudhakar to Avanos,” he said. “His integrated supply chain and operations experience, and proven success in driving process improvements, will be critical as we work to transform and grow our business.”
Read the full announcement here.
Dawn Foods Appoints Ahmet Hepdogan VP of Procurement NA
Dawn Foods, a global bakery manufacturer and ingredients distributor, announced the appointment of Ahmet Hepdogan as vice president of procurement in North America.
The company states that in his role, Hepdogan will lead Dawn’s regional procurement team, working on strategic contract strategies and negotiations and identifying innovative global sourcing solutions to meet Dawn’s business goals.
He will also lead strategic material and service planning, work cross-functionally on regional and global procurement strategies, and support commodity risks within the supply chain.
According to John Schmitz, president of Dawn Foods North America, “Ahmet has a successful history leading world-class procurement organizations across the food and beverage industry with a focus on building relationships and delivering strategic plans,” he said.
“He is an effective leader and advocate for the digitization of procurement, which aligns with our continued transformation agenda focused on supporting our business and customers around the world,” Schmitz adds.
Prior to Dawn, Hepdogan served as chief procurement officer for Ferrara, a sweet snack business and an affiliate of Ferrero International. He also held strategic procurement and leadership roles at ARYZTA (Aspire Bakeries) and U.S. Foods.
Read the full announcement here.
