Editor’s Note: Over the next few weeks on CPO Rising, we’re publishing some “best of” 2023 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 2023. Contact us with your news story here.
2023 Procurement Executive Promotions
Hillenbrand Appoints Carole Phillips CPO
BATESVILLE, Ind. — Hillenbrand, Inc. announced the appointment of Carole Phillips as senior vice president and chief procurement officer. Phillips joined Hillenbrand in September 2022 and worked closely with former chief procurement officer Mike Prado, who retired at the end of 2022, to ensure continuity and effective support during the transition.
According to Kim Ryan, president and chief executive officer of Hillenbrand, “Carole is an accomplished supply chain executive who brings more than 25 years of experience in global manufacturing environments to Hillenbrand,” she said. “Her strategic leadership and proven track record of success will undoubtedly launch our operations to the next level and help us continue to evolve and grow Hillenbrand.”
The company states that as chief procurement officer at Hillenbrand, Phillips will be responsible for driving strategy and initiatives related to global supply management, including center-led procurement activities, and helping identify and achieve savings across the organization.
Phillips added, “The disruptions faced within the supply chain industry over the past two years has brought renewed attention to the importance of developing strong, agile supplier partnerships in order to adapt to unpredictable changes and global trends,” she said.
“Working closely with the team over the past few months has made it clear that Hillenbrand is a purpose-driven organization that is committed to positively improving the environments where we operate. I am honored to be Hillenbrand’s chief procurement officer and look forward to building on the solid foundation established under Mike Prado’s leadership during his tenure as our former CPO and continuing to drive improvements within our organization.”
Read the full announcement here.
Amy’s Kitchen Announces Oksana Woloszczuk as CSCO
PETALUMA, Calif. — Amy’s Kitchen, a national leader in organic and vegetarian frozen foods, announced five new leadership roles to its executive and management teams to support strategic goals and expansion, and continue to invest in its long-term vision of cooking delicious, organic meals that make lives easier.
The company states that in operations, Oksana Woloszczuk joins in the newly created executive role of chief supply chain officer. She is a proven leader with 30 years of experience in operations, business expansion, strategic planning, and P&L accountability. Woloszczuk was most recently vice president, North American integrated supply chain at McCain, where she led all aspects of safety, quality, continuous improvement, supply chain, and engineering for the United States and Canada. Before that, she spent over 11 years with Kellogg in successive leadership positions.
Andy Berliner, CEO of Amy’s, says, “Our business is increasingly complex with a growing workforce. With over 2,600 amazing people who produce hundreds of thousands of meals a day, we want to make sure their needs are met and we’re able to source and manage a global network of organic farmers, processors, and ingredients.”
Read the full announcement here.
Carl Mount Appointed CSCO for Zaxby’s
ATHENS, Ga. — Saucy chicken chain Zaxby’s announced Carl Mount as chief supply chain officer. With 25 years of experience, Mount comes to Zaxby’s most recently from Starbucks, where he served as senior vice president for supply chain operations. Prior to his Starbucks tenure, Mount was head of supply chain for KFC Global.
At Zaxby’s, Mount will manage partnerships across the supply chain industry to maximize the investments of franchisees.
The company states that Mount has spent his career in the food and beverage industry, providing exceptional contributions across general management, manufacturing, logistics, and procurement functions for multibillion-dollar companies, including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Yum! Brands, and Starbucks in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. He was paramount in implementing processes and tools at Starbucks to generate real-time action, identifying and minimizing supply chain disruptions during the pandemic.
According to Bernard Acoca, Zaxby’s CEO, “Having served in roles both in supply chain and procurement for global brands, Carl will help us optimize solutions that better serve our franchisees, team members, and guests for maximum resiliency to supply chain challenges now and in the future,” he said.
“I am excited to partner with Carl again and begin the new year with a strong leadership team that can continue executing our ambitious goals for growing Zaxby’s in the QSR space.”
Read the full announcement here.
Iain Stewart Promoted to CSCO for Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, — Maple Leaf Foods Inc., an iconic Canadian branded food company, announced changes to its senior leadership team as it embarks on its next chapter of value creation.
The company states that Iain Stewart was promoted to the newly created role of chief supply chain officer. Under Stewart’s leadership, the company will further refine its manufacturing strategy to leverage its expertise in operations, purchasing, supply chain, and engineering into a sustainable competitive advantage.
Stewart will expand Maple Leaf Foods’ Operational Excellence System (OES) Center of Excellence, ensuring efficiencies and sustainability practices are consistently embedded throughout its operations, and optimizing operations and profitability within the pork complex.
According to Curtis Frank, president and chief operating officer, “Since he joined the company 25 years ago, Iain has worked in almost every part of the business and is a pillar at Maple Leaf Foods,” he said.
“He is a deeply respected leader with a proven track record of delivering winning results. Not only does he have important insights into what it takes to manage the pork business, but he also has the skills it takes to unite and inspire our operations, supply chain, purchasing, and engineering teams as we emerge from the intense challenges of the last couple years,” Frank added.
Read the full announcement here.
James Butler Appointed CPO at Brinker
DALLAS — Brinker International, Inc. announced that James Butler has joined the company as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. In his new role, Butler oversees all supply chain functions, including procurement, food safety and quality assurance, distribution and logistics, brand program management, and supply chain systems for Brinker’s corporate-owned restaurants.
According to Kevin Hochman, president and CEO of Brinker International, “James is a visionary leader who builds collaborative, integrated teams and coaches future leaders to continually improve and drive results,” he said. “He will play a key role in executing our new strategic pillars, working cross-functionally to help us improve and innovate on the core Chili’s food categories we want to win on — including burgers, fajitas, chicken crispers, and margaritas — to improve our Guests’ experience and increase traffic.”
Prior to joining the Brinker family, Butler was senior vice president, KFC Supply Chain, at Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions, LLC (RSCS), where he led the supply chain management organization for several national restaurant brands.
Butler stated, “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and work with the Brinker teams on exciting new initiatives to help transform supply chain and procurement strategies that will drive growth, impact the bottom line, and maintain operational excellence,” he said. “This is an exciting time for Brinker, and I’m thrilled to join the team on this new journey.”
Read the full announcement here.
Lightsource bp Appoints Rachael Legg CPO
SAN FRANCISCO — Lightsource bp, a global leader in the development and management of renewable energy projects, announced the appointment of Rachael Legg as chief procurement officer. Legg joins Lightsource from Johnson Matthey (JM), where she was chief procurement officer since 2018.
The company stated that as chief procurement officer, Legg will be responsible for Lightsource bp’s global procurement organization, including purchasing, supplier quality, and global supply chain strategy. She will lead the formation of strong partnerships that will support sustainable procurement, thus enabling Lightsource bp’s growth ambition of developing 25GW of solar power by 2025.
According to Legg, “It truly is a privilege to have joined the Lightsource bp team, as the company is well placed to drive the expansion of renewable energy generation with responsible, sustainable utility-scale solar power,” she said.
“Our people’s passion, drive, and commitment are impressive. Working collaboratively with our colleagues and supply partners, procurement has a key role in sustainably driving profit, enabling growth through innovation, and anticipating and ensuring supply to achieve our strategic ambitions. Building on solid foundations, I am delighted to be leading the procurement team as we enable Lightsource bp’s growth as the world accelerates its transition to low carbon.”
Read the full announcement here.
Lubrizol Announces New Procurement Leadership
CLEVELAND — The Lubrizol Corporation, a global leader in specialty chemicals, announced the appointment of a new Lubrizol executive leadership team, including roles in procurement.
Assuming the role of senior vice president of procurement and high-growth regions and chief procurement officer is JT Jones. Jones has significant international experience and more than 20 years of business development, strategy, procurement, operations, financial, senior sales management, and P&L leadership experience at preeminent international consulting and Fortune 500 chemical and coatings companies, most recently at PPG Industries.
Eduardo Pedreira was appointed vice president of supply chain, leading the team in strategic supply planning, production scheduling, customer service, and business partnerships. Pedreira has an accomplished history as a transformational supply chain and operations leader with more than 17 years of experience at PPG Industries.
According to Lubrizol President and CEO Rebecca Liebert, “For more than 90 years, Lubrizol science has solved complex challenges and advanced new opportunities across a variety of industries,” she said.
“We’re pairing that history of innovation with strong leadership, drawn from inside and outside our organization, to propel our Lubrizol people, customers, technology, and enterprise operations to our next 100 years of growth.”
Read the full announcement here.
Tarbinlam Lafon Assumes the Role of CPO for Humana
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana, a for-profit health insurance company, welcomed Tarbinlam (Tar) Lafon as its vice president, chief procurement officer. He assumed the role on November 14, 2022.
As reported in DiversityInc, Lafon leads the company’s procurement efforts and is responsible for the “leadership, strategy, talent and execution of the end-to-end procurement process,” according to Humana.
“Tar’s goals include driving compliant, competitive, and innovative acquisition of services and goods from leading suppliers and partners, while championing closer collaboration with the business, supply base, and external partners.”
Read the full announcement here.
Murat Aksel named CPO for MAN Truck & Bus SE
MUNICH, Germany — MAN Truck & Bus SE, a manufacturer of vans, trucks, busses, diesel and petrol engines, concentrating on passenger and freight transport, announced the appointment of Murat Aksel as chief procurement officer.
According to Alexander Vlaskamp, chairman of the executive board of MAN Truck & Bus SE, “Murat Aksel has many years of international experience in procurement. His key task will be to further stabilize our supply chains, which are currently still strained, in the ongoing ramp-up of our truck production and to make them even more sustainable,” Vlaskamp said.
The company stated that since January 2021, Aksel assumed overall responsibility within the Volkswagen Group for the management of materials purchasing and the provision of services.
Read the full announcement here.
Jeffery Fleck Joins Quaker Houghton as CSCO
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Quaker Houghton announced that Jeffrey L. Fleck has joined the company as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. Fleck is responsible for leading the global end-to-end supply chain organization.
According to Andy Tometich, chief executive officer and president, “I am pleased to welcome Jeff to Quaker Houghton. He brings extensive leadership capabilities and supply chain expertise to optimize and strengthen our global footprint, operations, and processes and further enable the company to execute on our long-term growth strategy.”
The company states that prior to joining Quaker Houghton, Fleck most recently served as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer for Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Company from 2016 to 2023. From 2010 to 2015, Fleck was senior vice president and chief supply chain and R&D officer at Zep, Inc. He has also held various supply chain management leadership positions at The Clorox Company, American Home Products, and Cargill Incorporated.
Read the full announcement here.
Lockheed Martin Promotes Chris Stone to CSCO
BETHESDA, Md. — Lockheed Martin has promoted Chris Stone to vice president and chief supply chain officer, according to Stone’s LinkedIn account and as reported in ExecutiveBiz.
Prior to becoming CSCO, Stone served as Lockheed’s vice president, supply chain enterprise operations.
According to the publication, Stone served as a captain at the U.S. Army’s aviation division for seven years before joining the private sector in May 2004 as a global commodity manager at Smiths Aerospace.
Tally Thrasher Named CPO for University of Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Tally Thrasher, who currently serves as the executive director of purchasing services at Indiana University, has been selected as the University of Michigan’s new chief procurement officer, according to The University Record.
The publication states that as chief procurement officer, Thrasher will be responsible for all procurement operations, including strategic sourcing, the procure-to-pay platform, contract administration, procurement systems and software modules, the travel and expense program, the PCard program, and several auxiliary operational services.
According to Brian Smith, associate vice president for finance, “While Tally has considerable experience in the procurement space, she also brings a strong commitment to building, supporting and mentoring internal teams,” Smith said.
“That commitment, along with her extensive experience in working collaboratively with customers, focus on DEI, and use of enabling technology to streamline and enhance procurement processes makes her an outstanding fit for this position and for the larger Finance and U-M communities.”
Ian Wood Assumes Role of CSCO for SIG Group
SWITZERLAND — SIG Group AG announced Ian Wood as the company’s new chief supply chain officer. Wood formerly served as SIG’s chief technology officer.
The company that stated that Wood will be responsible, as a member of the Group Executive Board, for global supply chain, procurement and production of SIG’s expanded product offering of bag-in-box, spouted pouch and chilled carton, together with aseptic carton.
According to Samuel Sigrist, CEO, “I thank Ian for his significant contribution as chief technology officer and I look forward to continuing to work with him in his role as chief supply chain officer.”
Read the full announcement here.
Audi Announces Vachenaur Head of Procurement
INGOLSTADT, Germany — Audi announced that Renate Vachenaur, a former BMW executive who has been at the Volkswagen Group subsidiary since 2021, will take the helm as head of procurement, as reported in Automotive News Europe.
In her new position, Vachenaur will serve on Audi’s management board, reporting to CEO Markus Duesmann. She replaces Dirk Grosse-Loeide, who was promoted to head of procurement at the VW Group.
According to Duesmann, “Particularly in procurement, these past three years have shown how important effective leadership is for safeguarding our business to the greatest extent possible in tumultuous times. I’m grateful to Dirk Grosse-Loheide for his outstanding work and I wish him great continued success in his job at the Group level.
“At the same time, I’m very much looking forward to welcoming Renate Vachenauer onto our Board of Management. She has a great deal of expertise in the field of digitalization and electromobility, which will make a significant impact on our success in the coming years,” Duesmann added.
Joselina Peralta Named MamaMancini’s First CPO
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — MamaMancini’s Holdings, Inc., a leading national marketer and manufacturer of fresh Deli prepared foods, announced the appointment of Joselina Peralta as the company’s first chief procurement officer and senior vice president of end-to-end supply chain.
The company stated that Peralta brings over 20 years of leadership experience to MamaMancini’s in the areas of global supply chain logistics, procurement, project management, and customer centricity in domestic and international markets. Peralta has successfully inspired organizations to deliver multi-million-dollar cost savings while optimizing productivity, governance, and operations performance. Prior to joining MamaMancini’s, she served as the regional head of North American beauty care on the global procurement team at Henkel, a leading industrial and consumer conglomerate.
According to Matt Brown, president and chief operating officer of MamaMancini’s, “In this new role, Joselina will serve to further strengthen our operational team with accountability for strategy and initiatives in supply chain and logistics, focusing on end-to-end procurement value chains including strategic sourcing, contract governance, and supplier partnerships across our two manufacturing facilities,” he said.
“Joselina’s extensive experience in procurement and supply chain management will also be invaluable to helping identify and achieve savings across our combined family of companies, helping to further drive our ongoing margin enhancement efforts. She will oversee our dedicated logistics team, where we are laser focused on unlocking new savings through commodities procurement and freight efficiencies. We welcome Joselina to the MamaMancini’s team and look forward to her guidance as we optimize our end-to-end supply chain and build a one-stop-shop deli solutions company,” Brown added.
Read the full announcement here.
Burberry Appoints Bierbrauer as CSCO and Industrial Officer
LONDON — Burberry, a leading British luxury brand, announced that Klaus Bierbrauer was appointed as chief supply chain and industrial officer for the company.
The company stated that in this newly-created role, Bierbrauer will lead Burberry’s supply chain and product development teams globally. He will join the Executive Committee and report to Burberry chief executive officer Jonathan Akeroyd.
Klaus joins Burberry after more than 20 years in supply chain and ready-to-wear operations roles at Kering Group, predominantly at Gucci and Saint Laurent. He most recently served as chief operating officer of Alexander McQueen.
According to Akeroyd, “Klaus has a wealth of experience in supply chain and industrialization. Bringing our supply chain and product development teams together under his leadership will drive greater connectivity, while ensuring end-to-end ownership for delivery. I am delighted that Klaus will be joining our leadership team and I am excited about working closely with him to achieve our ambitions.”
Read the full announcement here.
Fiskars Group Appoints Aamir Shaukat as CSCO
HELSINKI — Fiskars Group announced the appointment of Aamir Shaukat as chief supply chain officer and a member of the Fiskars Group Leadership Team. Shaukat will report to president and CEO Nathalie Ahlström.
Shaukat joins Fiskars Group from EssilorLuxottica, where he has held the position of vice president, group sourcing and procurement, since 2019. Prior to that, he worked in several leadership roles in procurement, including Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Mars, and Beiersdorf in various locations in Asia and Europe.
According to Ahlström, “I am excited to welcome Aamir to Fiskars Group and to our leadership team. I am convinced that his extensive global experience in leading transformation and diverse teams will further enhance our strategic sourcing and agility in the supply chain.”
Read the full announcement here.
Levi Quinn Appointed Chief Delivery & Supply Chain Officer for Carbon Clean
LONDON — Carbon Clean, a leading carbon capture solutions provider, is expanding its senior executive team with the appointment of Levi Quinn as chief delivery & supply chain officer. Quinn will be responsible for building the company’s delivery capacity, including scaling the global supply chain for Carbon Clean’s product line, which includes fully modular and semi-modular carbon capture plants and proprietary solvents.
The company states that this is a new role for the business, which has experienced multifold growth in its project pipeline in the last 12 months. Increases are expected to continue as the company commercializes its breakthrough modular carbon capture technology, CycloneCC, and develops its Carbon Capture as a Service (CCaaS) offering. Earlier this month Carbon Clean opened its US HQ in Houston and work is now underway to establish a significant base in North America, which will include developing a local supply chain.
Quinn was formerly chief operating officer at medmix, a global leader in high-precision delivery devices across healthcare, consumer, and industrial markets. He has extensive operational experience having worked for Sulzer as divisional COO, Baker Hughes as global supply chain leader, and GE Oil & Gas as global manufacturing leader.
According to Aniruddha Sharma, Chair and CEO of Carbon Clean, “As demand for carbon capture grows, it’s vital that we are well positioned to deliver at pace for our customers, so it’s fantastic to have Levi join our senior team to focus on this side of our business.
“With Levi’s experience in manufacturing and operational leadership across international markets, he will play an important role in driving our delivery plans forward,” Sharma adds.
Read the full announcement here.
Oliver Barleben Joins Cowboy as CSCO
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Cycling Industry News reported the announcement by Cowboy, a leading eBike brand, that Oliver Barleben has been appointed as chief supply chain officer. Barleben will be responsible for the global supply chain for all Cowboy products, ensuring product quality and overseeing planning, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics.
According to Adrien Roose, CEO and Cofounder for Cowboy, “Cowboy has completely reimagined what an e-bike can be. With this commitment to innovation and quality, it is essential to work with talent at Oliver’s level as we step into the next phase of maturity in our business.
“His vast expertise makes him the right leader at the right time, enabling us to double down on quality, supply chain excellence and customer care, further setting us apart from other operators.”
The company stated that Barleben joins Cowboy with deep experience in supply chain excellence and procurement, having most recently served as global business process owner at Philips. During his tenure of nearly two decades with the company, he also held leadership roles including VP of procurement and head of procurement governance, where he developed their award-winning Procurement Risk Management process.
Read the full announcement here.
BrewDog Appoints First Chief Supply Chain Officer
BrewDog, a multinational brewery and pub chain based in Ellon, Scotland, announced the appointment of Chris Fielden as its first chief supply chain officer, as reported in Food & Drink International. Fielden will be responsible for all aspects related to sourcing, production, packaging, and distribution of BrewDog beers and spirits.
Fielden is currently the supply chain director for Warp Snacks. He has an extensive background in the beverage industry that began at PepsiCo where he held multiple roles over 10 years, before joining Innocent Drinks for six years establishing its sustainable production site in the Netherlands.
“I am very excited about joining BrewDog,” said Fielden. “It’s a company that wants to do business the right way and that’s really important to me. I love the product and I love the company’s ‘people, planet, beer ethos.’”
James Watt, BrewDog CEO, added: “We’re really lucky to have someone of Chris’ caliber and experience join us. This is a new role, reflecting the continuing growth of the business and the ambitions we have for the future.”
Nancy Hapeman Appointed Interim CPO
Washington, DC. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced transitions of executive leadership in the Cabinet and appointed positions, including Nancy Hapeman as interim chief procurement officer, Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP).
The Executive Office of the Mayor stated that as a longtime District government employee, CPO Hapeman began her District government career as an attorney with the Office of the Corporation Counsel, where she worked for 10 years.
From November 1997 to October 2017, she served as OCP’s General Counsel providing legal advice to the chief procurement officer and procurement staff, served as the FOIA Officer and the Ethics Officer, and helped formulate policies and procedures for the agency.
CPO Hapeman most recently served as deputy chief procurement officer, helping oversee OCP’s operations across government sectors.
Read the full announcement here.
Allen Olson to Lead Procurement at Open Book Extracts
Open Book Extracts (OBX), an NSF cGMP and ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of high-quality cannabinoid ingredients and nutraceutical finished products, announced that Allen Olson will join the organization’s leadership team as vice president of supply chain, reporting to the CEO.
The company stated that as a Lean Six Sigma black belt, Olson will leverage his experience to lead EHS, manufacturing, quality control, procurement, materials management, and logistics at OBX. He will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence across the company and will lead the continuous improvement initiatives that will optimize safety, quality, service, and efficiency to provide the highest level of overall client satisfaction.
According to Dave Neundorfer, OBX CEO, “OBX’s rapid growth in people, product and service offerings over the last four years has increased operational complexity,” he commented. “Olson brings decades of extensive supply chain and operations leadership experience in manufacturing companies and has a special passion for continuous improvement. He will empower our team to continue to raise the performance bar, enhance client satisfaction, and drive continued growth and profitability in the future.”
Read the full announcement here.
Mike Kindy Joins Dollar Tree Inc. as CSCO
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree, Inc. announced that Mike Kindy is joining the organization as chief supply chain officer. Kindy has more than 34 years of management experience in retail logistics and operating distribution centers.
According to Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO of Dollar Tree, Inc., “Improving our overall operating efficiency is contingent on a strong, resilient supply chain,” he said. “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to work with high-caliber leaders like Mike and the rest of our expert leadership team to drive improved supply chain performance, architect our next chapter of growth and create long-term value for all of our stakeholders.”
The company states that prior to joining Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, Kindy served in multiple leadership roles for another large value retailer, most recently as the executive vice president accountable for supply chain strategy, which included transportation, distribution, demand chain, allocations, procurement, and master data management. He has also held leadership positions at ConAgra Foods, Safeway, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Kindy stated, “Rick Dreiling is a phenomenal retail executive, and joining this incredibly strong leadership team is a thrilling next stop in my career,” he said.
“I’m eager to work with the talented people of Dollar Tree and Family Dollar to reshape our supply chain, improve the associate and customer experience and contribute in a significant way to the company’s overall performance. Efficiencies and productivity improvements come from many places – we’ll get to the next level by using the right data, analytics, and automation to drive results,” Kindy added.
Read the full announcement here.
RNDC Appoints Sean Halligan CSCO
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas —Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), announced the appointment of Sean Halligan to chief supply chain officer and executive vice president for RNDC. He reports to Nick Mehall, president and CEO.
According to Mehall, “Sean brings extensive global supply chain experience across retail, healthcare, and e-commerce. He is a relationship-oriented, results-driven leader who excels at creating high-performing cultures focused on continuous improvement, growth, and people development,” he said.
“We’re confident Sean and his role will support our focus on driving productivity, investing in new technology, improving service levels and setting the operational footprint up for the future.”
The company stated that most recently, Halligan was the chief supply chain officer at Wayfair, an e-commerce home goods retailer. Prior to Wayfair, he held senior supply chain and operations leadership roles at Cardinal Health, Nike, and Target Corporation. During his 18 years with Target, Halligan served in several distribution, warehouse, transportation, and logistics positions across the country.
Read the full announcement here.
Luis Viso Appointed CSCO for T. Marzetti
WESTERVILLE, Ohio — T. Marzetti Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corporation, appointed Luis Viso to chief supply chain officer. In this role, Viso will be responsible for developing and leading T. Marzetti’s fully integrated supply chain organization, positioning the company for growth while maintaining rigorous safety and quality measures.
The company stated that Viso has nearly 40 years of experience in supply chain operations, innovation, and R&D. Most recently, he was executive vice president of operations for Monster Beverage, leading the company’s global expansion across 153 countries. Prior to that, he served as chief operating officer for Diamond Crystal Brands and senior vice president of operations for Keurig Green Mountain.
According to Dave Ciesinski, president and CEO of Lancaster Colony, “I am thrilled to welcome Luis to our executive leadership team,” he said. “Luis has built a long and successful career in supply chain operations. His deep experience in the food and beverage industry, as well as his strong people-oriented leadership, will benefit our organization tremendously as we continue to execute our growth strategy.”
Read the full announcement here.
Christine Camsuzou Named CPO for PPG
PITTSBURGH — PPG announced that Christine Camsuzou, currently interim chief procurement officer (CPO), has been appointed vice president, procurement, and CPO. Reporting to Ram Vadlamannati, senior vice president, operations, Camsuzou will be responsible for leading PPG’s global procurement team, processes, and strategy.
According to Vadlamannati, “Christine is a proven leader who has held many key regional and global assignments and has managed relationships with many of PPG’s key customers,” he said. “With her proven experience across PPG’s global portfolio and the overall coatings industry, she is well equipped to lead the global procurement organization and drive business success for the company.”
The company stated that Camsuzou began her career with PPG in 1986 and has moved through positions of increasing responsibility across various functions. She has had global leadership responsibility within the procurement function for a decade and was instrumental in implementing global sourcing strategies, leading initiatives to lower supply risks, and delivering on PPG’s savings targets.
Read the full announcement here.
Philip A. Hodges Assumes CSCO Role for Boston Beer
BOSTON — The Boston Beer Company, Inc. announced the appointment of Philip A. Hodges as its chief supply chain officer. Hodges will report to chief executive officer David A. Burwick and will have primary responsibility for overseeing the company’s integrated supply chain, including brewery management, procurement, customer service, engineering, safety, quality and planning.
The company stated that Hodges, with over 30 years of senior operations experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry, has been an advisor for Boston Beer in supply chain management since May 2022. During this time, he helped the company improve its brewery performance by reducing freight and warehousing costs, implementing systems to improve forecasting and inventory management, and enabling the company to be more reactive to changing demand.
According to Burwick, “Phil has influenced our supply chain approach since he first started consulting with us last year. The supply chain team has been working hard to modernize our supply chain through investments in equipment and process and by implementing thoughtful, gross margin savings plans,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to the significant impact Phil will now make in his new leadership position as our CSCO as we seek to generate substantial gross margin expansion from our supply chain over the next few years.”
Read the full announcement here.
Joe Raines Takes the Reins as CSCO for Varsity Brands
DALLAS — Varsity Brands, a market leader in sport, spirit, and achievement, announced the hiring of Joe Raines as executive vice president, chief supply chain officer. Raines will leverage the scale benefits of the platform and improve operational execution performance across its three businesses — BSN SPORTS, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones.
The company states that Raines brings nearly 20 years of experience as a supply chain leader to Varsity Brands. Throughout his career, Raines has established a proven history of designing and implementing solutions that raise company performance, while gaining broad experience in a variety of business models and product verticals, mastering functional supply chain depth.
According to Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands, “Varsity Brands has ambitious growth targets for the next five years, and Joe’s experience with end-to-end supply chain responsibilities at high-growth companies will bring enhanced vision and expertise to our team,” he said. “Joe is a successful, results-driven global supply chain leader, and we look forward to him driving our businesses to operational excellence.”
Read the full announcement here.
City of Baltimore Appoints Adam Manne as CPO
BALTIMORE — Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the hiring of Adam Manne as the City of Baltimore‘s chief procurement officer.
According to Scott, “Mr. Manne has over a decade of experience in procurement and the implementation of systems that have cut costs by millions of dollars. Updating our procurement process has been a top priority in my administration, and I am confident in Mr. Manne’s ability and expertise in bringing this vital system into the 21st century,” Scott said.
“I want to thank our acting procurement officer Keasha L. Brown for leading the agency in an interim capacity, and I look forward to working with Mr. Manne to make this system more efficient and accessible for our residents, while also ensuring timely payment of vendor contracts,” he added.
In his role, Manne will be responsible for overseeing the Bureau of Procurement which purchases goods and services for the city. He will also help to lead the city’s procurement transformation project, which will streamline processes, ensure proper controls and policies are in place, increase stakeholder satisfaction, drive efficiencies, and achieve savings.
Read the full announcement here.
Liz Door Named CSCO for Ford Motor Co.
DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. named Liz Door as its chief supply chain officer, at a time when improving quality and reducing costs, including through the supply chain, are high priorities and vital to realizing the full potential of the Ford+ plan.
Most recently, Door served as Whirlpool’s executive vice president of global strategic sourcing heading North America procurement for the Benton Harbor, Michigan-based company for more than six years.
Her roles at Whirlpool occurred during the company’s period of reimagining and developing smart, networked kitchen and laundry products embedded with sensors, software and other new technologies — in the same way Ford is creating breakthrough digital platforms and software for adoption across connected electric, hybrid, and gas vehicles.
Ford stated that prior to Whirlpool, Door spent more than 15 years advancing through a series of strategic purchasing and supply chain roles at General Motors, ultimately becoming an executive in the global purchasing and supply chain organization.
According to Chief Financial Officer John Lawler, “Liz brings deep, relevant domain experience — including leveraging the Internet of Things to create great value for customers — from both outside and inside the global auto industry,” he said. “That’s an ideal combination for leading a team that’s determined to restore supply chain management as a competitive advantage for Ford.”
Read the full announcement here.
Renault Group Appoints Denis Le Vot CSCO
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, France — Renault Group appointed Denis Le Vot chief supply chain officer (CSCO), a new role that combines supply chain functions across the carmaker’s different business units and organizations, including for both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs), as reported in Automotive Logistics.
According to the publication, Le Vot, who has been CEO of the group’s Dacia brand since 2021, will retain both positions. “The board level chief supply chain officer position — a role still relatively uncommon in the automotive industry — is a signal of the increasing importance that supply chain management and logistics are playing across Renault Group and its supplier partners.”
In his biography, Renault Group states that Le Vot joined Renault in 1990 in Sales & Marketing within the International Operations Department. In 1994, he joined the After Sales Division and became Senior Manager Aftersales Product Development. Following a series of roles and promotions, on January 1, 2021, Le Vot was appointed EVP, CEO, Dacia Brand, as well as a member of the Renault Group’s Board of Management.
On February 1, 2023, Le Vot became a member of the Leadership Team, replacing the Board of Management (BOM) and the Corporate Management Committee (CMC). This new single management body’s mission is to ensure the strategic and operational management of Renault Group activities.
Read the full announcement here.
Samrat Sehgal Assumes the Role of CSCO for Good Glamm Group
MUMBAI, India — Good Glamm Group, a beauty and personal care conglomerate, announced the appointment of Samrat Sehgal as its chief supply chain officer.
The company stated that Sehgal will be responsible for developing a customer-focused supply chain that delivers value to the customer while driving incremental growth through enhanced supply chain efficiency. Sehgal brings with him over two decades of experience working with brands such as Dabur, Reckitt Benckiser, and Goodyear Tires.
Previously, Sehgal served as head of supply chain at Dabur India, where he led various aspects of the supply chain, including procurement, demand planning, inventory management, and production planning.
According to Sukhleen Aneja, CEO, Good Brands Co., and Good Glamm Group, “We are delighted to welcome Samrat on board, as his extensive experience in the FMCG sector and his expertise in developing customer-centric supply chains will be invaluable to us. With Samrat’s leadership and knowledge, we are confident in achieving our strategic growth objectives.”
Read the full announcement here.
Kelly Bysouth Joins 3M as CPO
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — 3M, a materials manufacturer and multinational conglomerate, announced that Kelly Bysouth has joined the company as its chief procurement officer. Bysouth comes to 3M with a wealth of procurement and supply chain leadership experience.
Most recently, she served as the chief supply chain officer at IAC Group. Prior to IAC, Bysouth was group vice president, global procurement and supply chain at Adient, as well as group vice president, global procurement at Johnson Controls.
An article in Automotive Logistics cited, “On top of her leadership experience, Bysouth has worked hard to help make the logistics sector more diverse and provide more career opportunities for women. She told delegates at the Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global conference in September that opportunities to promote women in the sector go beyond one’s own company.
‘I’ve spent a lot of time in the past promoting women-owned businesses within our supply base,’ she said. ‘The more women you can help advocate and give opportunities, whether it’s in your own company, in your own team or potentially out there in the supply base, the better.’”
Impossible Foods Appoints Rob Haas as CSCO
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Impossible Foods announced the appointment of accomplished supply chain leader Rob Haas as its chief supply chain officer, where he’ll oversee all parts of Impossible’s supply chain, from ingredient sourcing to dynamic forecasting.
The company stated that as a 30+ year industry veteran with experience in the U.S., APAC, and Western Europe, Haas brings nearly 20 years of leadership experience from Anheuser Busch InBev, where he served as the global VP of ingredients, supply chain as well as the CEO and president of Metal Container Corporation, an AB InBev subsidiary. Most recently, Haas was the chief supply officer at EverGrain Ingredients, a sustainable ingredient company created and backed by AB InBev to upcycle its barley grains into high quality, nutritious ingredients, and plant proteins.
The hire follows several key executive appointments for Impossible Foods in the past six months as it continues to invest in its leadership team and growth strategy.
Read the full announcement here.
Philip Davis Appointed CSCO for PIM Brands
PARK RIDGE, NJ — PIM Brands, a leading global snacks and confections maker, announced new additions to its executive leadership team, including the appointment of Philip Davis as PIM’s new chief supply chain officer.
The company states that these strategic hires signify PIM Brands’ commitment to effectively managing its ever-expanding operations both domestically and abroad to meet customer and consumer demand and facilitate continued growth across its business segments.
In his role as chief supply chain officer, Davis will be based at the company’s Park Ridge corporate headquarters and will have overall responsibility for all supply chain functions. With over 20 years of experience supporting growing companies and improving customer experience, he brings a wealth of expertise to PIM Brands, previously, serving as head of americas supply chain and global supply chain optimization at Godiva Chocolatier, as well as in leadership positions at Fleet Farm and PwC’s consulting practice.
According to Davis, “Joining PIM Brands is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the company’s sustainable growth and enhance the customer experience,” he said. “I look forward to working with PIM Brands’ talented team and leveraging my experiences to enhance our supply chain capabilities.”
Read the full announcement here.
Jay Benson Assumes Role of Chief Manufacturing and Supply Chain Officer for Civica Inc.
LEHI, Utah — Civica Inc. announced that biopharma industry veteran Jay Benson has joined Civica as chief manufacturing and supply chain officer.
Benson has 30 years of experience within the biopharmaceutical industry, including clinical and commercial manufacturing, global strategy development, and tech transfer and commercialization of new therapies.
According to Ned McCoy, Civica’s president and CEO, “Jay joins us at a pivotal time in Civica’s history as we prepare to operate our recently constructed sterile injectable manufacturing facility in Petersburg, Virginia, just outside of Richmond,” he said.
“His extensive biopharma leadership experience will be a terrific addition to our team as we fulfill our dreams of making essential generic medications to address drug shortages in hospitals and biosimilar insulin to make it more affordable to people living with diabetes across the United States.”
Benson added, “I am very excited for the opportunity to be part of the Civica team. I look forward to helping deliver on the Civica mission to make essential medications accessible and affordable for patients in need.”
Prior to joining Civica, Benson was with Thermo Fisher Scientific, most recently serving as the vice president of global operations for the Clinical Diagnostics Division and prior to that serving as vice president/general manager North America Operations, Biologics.
Read the full announcement here.
Brian Byrne Joins The Compleat Food Group as CPO
REDHILL, SURREY, U.K. — The Compleat Food Group welcomed Brian Byrne as its first chief procurement officer.
The company states Byrne joins the company with a wealth of procurement experience, having worked for over a decade in senior positions for some of the UK’s most prominent retailers and food companies. His experience includes roles at Hilton Food Group, Iceland, Tesco and most recently his position as chief procurement officer at Fox’s Burton’s Companies.
Byrne will be responsible for driving the company’s procurement and ESG strategy and further developing the great work already started by the team.
According to Byrne, “With fresh food being my passion and a consistent part of my career to date, I’m delighted to be joining one of the UK’s leading food companies. As well as being market leaders, Compleat is backed by a talented team that I’m excited to work with, and I look forward to seeing the company continue to go from strength to strength.”
Nick Field, CEO, added: “I am thrilled that Brian will be joining The Compleat team. We are on an exciting journey to becoming the UK’s no.1 chilled prepared food company and I am confident that with Brian’s experience of industry leading Procurement, change management and ESG credentials he will add a great deal to our team and for our customers’.”
Read the full announcement here.
Melissa Nick Takes Helm as ShipBob’s First CSCO
CHICAGO — ShipBob, a leading global omnifulfillment platform designed for businesses of all sizes, announced the hiring of Melissa Nick as its first chief supply chain officer. She joins ShipBob with over 20 years of experience with the last 9+ years at Amazon, recently serving as Amazon’s VP of North America Customer Fulfillment, leading operations, planning, and engineering teams across over 250 fulfillment centers.
Prior to overseeing North America fulfillment, Nick helped build AMXL, Amazon’s global extra-large fulfillment and delivery service, from the ground up.
The company stated that with over 100 million orders shipped through their fulfillment network, Nick will help steer ShipBob’s next chapter of growth by leveraging her deep domain expertise in supply chain and operational excellence. Nick will manage ShipBob’s robust partner network of 50+ fulfillment centers across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. In addition, there will be a continued focus on unlocking personalization and a custom unboxing experience at scale, analytics and data ownership, and online and offline sales channel expansion for their customers across their owned website, direct-to-consumer, retail, brick and mortar, and marketplaces.
According to ShipBob COO and co-founder, Divey Gulati, “This new CSCO role will be incredibly impactful for the future of ShipBob, and I don’t know of anyone who has overseen a larger scope than Melissa, heading up North American fulfillment for Amazon and delivering on customer expectations during the most uncertain times due to the pandemic and subsequent years,” he said.
“We are focused on delivering best-in-class logistics to our merchants across all sales channels or however they want to handle their fulfillment, and we have the utmost confidence in Melissa to drive massive improvements to our operations while tying in our technology to drive incremental efficiencies across every part of the supply chain,” Gulati added.
Read the full announcement here.
Love’s Taps Eddie Burt as Company’s First CSCO
OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s Travel Stops announced the hiring of Eddie Burt as the company’s first chief supply chain officer, according to PetroPlaza. Burton brings 30 years of experience in the areas of distribution, transportation, merchandising, human resources, loss prevention, real estate operations and store maintenance and repair.
According to Roger Ahuja, executive vice president of operations at Love’s, “Love’s completed a six-month executive search to find the right leader to guide our supply chain efforts into the future, and we’re excited to have Eddie Burt join our team,” he said. “Eddie will optimize Love’s existing supply chain network and help the company develop additional supply chain capabilities.”
Burt is based in the company’s Oklahoma City corporate headquarters.
Read the full announcement here.
Ivanka Janssen Appointed CSCO for Swarovski
AUSTRIA — Swarovski, a world’s leading jewelry and accessories brand, named Ivanka Janssen as its chief supply chain officer, overseeing the company’s efforts to increase speed-to-market, efficiency, automation, and innovation, according to Professional Jeweler.
Previously, Janssen was chief supply officer for Philips, the Swiss medical technology manufacturer. Prior to that, she was PepsiCo’s vice president of supply chain for Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
Eric Fouts Named VP, Global Supply Chain for SureWerx
CHICAGO — SureWerx, a leading global supplier of personal protective equipment, safety products, and tool and equipment solutions, named Eric Fouts as vice president, global supply chain.
The company stated that in 2017, Fouts was recruited to one of the largest food and beverage companies in North America to re-build their customer supply chain capability from the ground up. Building upon his customer success from previous experiences, major retailers knew Fouts and his team as the “face of the supply chain.”
Leading the design of end-to-end supply chain initiatives, he and his team built platforms to improve service, lower costs, and improve cash flow. Fouts’ customer-centric approach challenged both sides to think as one company to identify value, driving overall mutual benefit. His value for culture enables him to put people first, including customers.
According to Chris Baby, CEO for SureWerx, “I am extremely pleased to welcome Eric to SureWerx. He brings extensive technical and industry knowledge coupled with a strategic mindset to our business. His demonstrated ability to set strategies and achieve results for customer service, improved efficiency, reduced costs, and incremental top-line growth will bring immense value to SureWerx operations,” Baby said.
“As we continue to innovate and deliver safety and productivity solutions for end users and communities around the world, Eric’s leadership will further strengthen our position as a trusted partner for our customers and suppliers,” He added.
Read the full announcement here.
Small Sliders Appoints Greg Swafford as VP, Supply Chain
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Smalls Sliders appointed Greg Swafford as vice president of supply chain. The company stated that Swafford has held several supply chain roles within restaurant brands including Texas Roadhouse, Landry’s Inc and Fogo de Chao.
He has experience leading purchasing, planning, project management and international procurement strategies. Swafford will seek to provide cost-effective supply innovations and expertise in his new role.
Zevia Appoints Bill Williamson as Chief Supply Chain Officer
LOS ANGELES — Zevia PBC, a manufacturer of zero-calorie carbonated soft drinks, announced the appointment of Bill Williamson to the role of senior vice president, operations and chief supply chain officer.
The company stated that Williamson joined the Zevia management team from Monster Energy, where he served as senior vice president, operations and supply chain. He brings over 25 years of operations and supply chain experience in the beverage and consumer-packaged-goods (CPG) industries, with a proven track record of leading successful transformations and identifying and executing opportunities for improvement to drive revenue growth and increase profitability.
According to Amy Taylor, president and CEO, “We are thrilled to welcome Bill to the Zevia team to lead our supply chain transformation. He is a CPG veteran with a proven track record in beverage and decades of broad functional experience encompassing manufacturing, finance, distribution and retail,” Taylor said.
“Bill brings a deep understanding of high-growth beverage brands along with a strong strategic background, a hands-on approach and a passion for team building. He is uniquely qualified to drive immediate and sustainable improvements to our supply chain along with optimizing and scaling our network over the long-term to support future growth,” she added.
Most recently, Williamson was the senior vice president, operations at Monster Energy Company, with responsibility for operations and supply chain continuity across the Americas.
Read the full announcement here.
Jacobo Capuano Named CSCO for Second Nature Brands
DETROIT — Second Nature Brands, the US-based creator of premium, nutritional, and better-for-you snacks and treats, announced the appointment of Jacobo Capuano as its new chief supply chain officer, reporting to CEO Victor Mehren.
The company stated that Capuano has 30 years of experience across manufacturing and supply chain within several industries, including consumer packaged goods (CPG). He has extensive experience in leading teams to deliver strategic operational transformations to support fast-growing and acquisitive organizations, while also driving cultural alignment and positive team engagement.
Most recently, Capuano served as the chief operating officer at TruRoots Company, a private equity backed food and beverage company where he led the end-to-end supply chain. Prior to this he held US and international roles with a number of industry leaders including Procter & Gamble, Givaudan Flavours, Clorox, and The Live Kindly Company.
According to Victor Mehren, CEO of Second Nature Brands, “Jacobo is a highly regarded values-led leader with a great track record and experience, and we are delighted to welcome him to the team. His appointment significantly strengthens the Second Nature Brands leadership team in support of the ambitious plans we have to grow the business through more acquisitions, as well as strong organic growth and superior operational performance.”
Read the full announcement here.
Pete Kraemer CSCO Transitioning to Advisory Role at Anheuser-Busch InBev
BELGIUM — Anheuser-Busch InBev announced a series of management changes to its senior leadership, effective January 2024.
After more than 34 years with AB InBev, Pete Kraemer, a fifth generation Brewmaster and ABI’s chief supply chain officer, will be transitioning to become a brewing and beer quality advisor to chief executive Michel Doukeris. He will be succeeded as Chief Supply Chain Officer by Ricardo Moreira, currently CEO of AB InBev’s Africa Zone.
The company stated that Kraemer has had a series of various brewing and supply chain positions over the years, including Group Director of Brewing and Resident Brewmaster in St. Louis, and Vice President, Supply for the North America Zone, leading all brewery operations, quality assurance, raw materials, and product innovation responsibilities. He was appointed chief supply officer of AB InBev in 2016 and then chief supply chain officer with the procurement function integration as of 2021.
“Pete has ABI in his blood, and I would like to thank him for all of his contributions, leading by example with his passion for beer all of these years,” said Doukeris. “Pete will continue to serve as an advisor to me in this new chapter and I look forward to continue working with him in this capacity.”
Read the full announcement here.
Tim Ritz Joins Walmart as CPO
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced in an internal memo obtained by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal and reported in TB&P that Tim Ritz will join Walmart as the retailer’s new chief procurement officer. Ritz is replacing DK Singh, who held the position since 2018. Singh left Walmart in August.
In the memo, CFO John David Rainey said Ritz will be responsible for delivering strategic business solutions that support business partnerships, enhance service, and maximize value for customers and shareholders.
According to TB&P, Ritz comes to Walmart from PayPal, where he has spent the past eight years leading procurement and real estate for the financial tech firm. He also held leadership roles in supply chain and procurement operations at Hertz and United Airlines.
“Tim brings two decades of experience leading complex procurement organizations across industries. Throughout his career, he had built a strong track record for helping businesses deliver meaningful improvements to cost and efficiency through effective supplier relationship management,” Rainey noted in the announcement.
IAC Group Appoints Larry Vano CPO
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — International Automotive Components Group (IAC Group), a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, announced the addition of Larry Vano to its executive leadership team as the chief procurement officer.
According to Kevin Baird, CEO of IAC Group, “Leveraging Larry’s extensive expertise and innovative strategies to enhance operational efficiency and drive positive change will undoubtedly strengthen IAC Group’s position in the market,” he said. “His dedication to organizational transformation and talent development aligns perfectly with our vision for the future.”
The company stated that over the span of his career, Vano has successfully executed a number of leading, significant global transformations of procurement, including the introduction of new global commodity and program purchasing models, augmenting global capabilities, and bringing a fresh approach to strategic sourcing and risk and opportunity transparency.
“I’m genuinely excited to join IAC Group as Chief Supply Chain and Procurement Officer. The company’s reputation for being at the forefront of automotive interior solutions and their commitment to innovation and excellence is truly commendable,” said Vano. “I’m eager to leverage my experience and contribute to the next chapter of IAC Group’s success story.”
Read the full announcement here.
Julie Rameas Named CPO for Nephron Pharmaceuticals
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced Julie Rameas as chief procurement officer. In her new role, Rameas will oversee all strategic sourcing and procurement activities.
The company stated that Rameas is an experienced professional with proven success in the pharmaceutical, medical device, metal, electronic, aerospace, automotive, and textile manufacturing industries.
Before joining the Nephron team, Rameas served as senior director of global strategic procurement at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she led spending activities for over 800 global sites, and managed multiple global expansion and construction projects.
According to Lou Kennedy, Nephron CEO and owner, “We could not be more excited to welcome Julie to the team. Her rock star resume and body of work speaks for itself,” he said.
“From leading manufacturers to global success to blazing trails in textiles, Julie is precisely the kind of professional, who will help lead the continued growth and expansion of our company, and that is a great thing for those who depend on Nephron for life-saving medications,” Kennedy added.
Read the full announcement here.
NN, Inc. Appoints David Harrison as Its First CPO
CHARLOTTE, N.C., — NN, Inc., a global diversified industrial company that manufactures high-precision components and assemblies, announced the appointment of David Harrison to chief procurement officer.
In this role, Harrison is responsible for leading and transforming the company’s procurement and supply chain function globally. He brings more than three decades of experience in manufacturing, operations, and business transformation.
According to Tim French, chief operating officer, “I am excited to welcome David as NN’s first chief procurement officer. Both Harold Bevis and I have had the pleasure of working with David in the past,” said French.
“He brings a wealth of industry specific experience and a proven track record of driving transformational improvement in the procurement area with organizations significantly larger than NN. David is a great addition to NN’s leadership team,” French adds.
Read the full announcement here.
York Space Systems Names Dev Rudra CSCO
DENVER — York Space Systems, a Denver-based aerospace company dedicated to the rapid deployment of complete space mission solutions, announced the C-level appointment of Dev Rudra as its new chief supply chain officer.
A global executive with a stellar track record, Rudra brings over 25 years of expertise, having held leadership roles of increasing scope and scale in aircraft engine maintenance supply chain and aerospace manufacturing businesses, including at GE Aviation and United Technologies.
The company stated that before joining York, Rudra served as a vice president at AE Industrial Partners, focusing on the scaling up of innovative aerospace companies using lean manufacturing practices. He also spent over six years as managing director at GE Aviation where he led a team of more than 2,000 people across three plants.
According to Dirk Wallinger, CEO of York, “Dev brings an unmatched depth of experience in aerospace manufacturing and supply chain management, which will play a critical role in our aggressive growth trajectory. York’s commitment goes beyond just manufacturing; it’s about continuing to scale our operations while bringing more resilience to our entire supply chain. This includes sourcing strategies that will continue to ensure spacecraft deliveries at the speed of customer needs,” said Wallinger.
“Focusing C-suite level attention on our entire supply chain security, from source material to launch ops, will ensure York continues to deliver secure systems in an increasingly dangerous world. With Dev at the helm of our supply chain operations, we are fortifying our original pledge to every customer: we deliver on-time excellence, meeting and exceeding the demands of both our government and commercial customers,” Wallinger adds.
Read the full announcement here.
Quentin Roach Appointed CPO for Estée Lauder Companies
NEW YORK — The Estée Lauder Companies announced that Quentin Roach has joined the company as senior vice president and chief procurement officer.
The company stated that in this role, Roach will oversee ELC’s strategic supplier relationships and enhance end-to-end synchronization across the company’s supplier network to help accelerate innovation, growth, and joint value creation. He will focus on driving competitive advantage by optimizing the enterprise’s total value of purchased goods and services from indirect and direct suppliers to deepen ELC’s commitment to quality, business continuity, and responsiveness.
Most recently, Roach served as senior vice president, global supply chain & chief procurement officer at Mondelēz International. Previously, he held supply chain and procurement leadership roles at Merck & Co., Bristol Myers Squibb, Bausch + Lomb, and General Motors. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for US Foods.
According to Roberto Canevari, executive vice president, global supply chain, “Quentin is a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of cross-industry experience in supply chain and procurement and a proven record in value creation, growth, and transformation,” he said.
“I am confident that Quentin’s vast experience and expertise, solution-oriented leadership style, and passion for empowering teams to deliver performance will greatly enhance The Estée Lauder Companies’ procurement efforts.”
Read the full announcement here.
Francesca Gamboni Appointed to Head Volvo Cars’ Procurement and Supply Chain Team
GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Volvo Cars announced that Francesca Gamboni was appointed to head its procurement and supply chain team, with responsibility for evolving the company’s lean, sustainable, and regionalized supply chain, strengthening the important backbone of Volve Cars’ business.
The company states that Gamboni has a strong background in automotive and supply chain, mixed with broad experience across other industries. In her most recent role as chief supply chain officer at Accell Group, Gamboni managed the Group’s manufacturing, logistics, procurement, quality, and new product development. Roles prior to that include time at Stellantis, L’Oréal, Renault-Nissan, Bosch, Alcan (now Rio Tinto) and others.
According to Javier Varela, chief operating officer and deputy CEO for Volvo Cars, “Francesca’s experience blends a deep understanding of automotive and supply chain with the perspective of having worked across multiple industries,” he says.
“Francesca has demonstrated strong leadership and results throughout her career and is a great fit for our procurement and supply chain team as we sharpen our focus on digitalization, E2E, and sustainable action.”
Read the full announcement here.
Kent Bjertrup Takes the Helm as CPO for ALD|LeasePlan
Global Fleet announced online that ALD|LeasePlan has appointed Kent Bjertrup as chief procurement officer, working out of Luxembourg. A 22-year veteran of the multinational leasing company, Bjertrup was previously regional director in Latin America where he held the position for six years (2017-2023).
According to Bjertrup, “Personally, I’ve learnt a lot during these past six years in Latin America, and I’m extremely proud of having made new life-lasting friendships in these wonderful Latin countries. In the new global role as chief procurement officer for ALD|LeasePlan, I will be leading a central highly professional procurement team, and together with our partners we will be delivering value to our customers and be delivering synergies for our shareholders. This is not a goodbye, but a ‘hasta luego,’ to Latin America,” Bjertrup said.
Joramco Names Petra Lindemann New VP of Supply Chain
AMMAN, Jordan — Joramco, the Amman-based aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility and engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), announced Petra Lindemann’s appointment as the new vice president of supply chain.
The company stated that with nearly two decades of experience, Lindemann is an aviation professional who brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles. At Swiss International Air Lines in Zurich, she took the role of the director and head of procurement services and interior. Prior to that, she was the head of strategic logistics and strategic procurement improvement and analysis at SR Technics in Zurich.
According to Fraser Currie, chief executive officer, “As Joramco continues to solidify its presence as a global leader in aviation maintenance and engineering, the appointment of Petra Lindemann further confirms the company’s dedication to having a talented and professional senior management team.
“Under Petra’s leadership, our team will continue to excel in delivering excellence and innovation. We are particularly excited about the strategic growth plans ahead and look forward to Petra’s and the team’s valuable contributions,” Currie said.
Read the full announcement here.
Dollar General Promotes Rod West to EVP, Global Supply Chain
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General announced the promotion of Rod West to executive vice president of global supply chain. West will lead the company’s distribution center operations, transportation, supply chain modernization and its private fleet. West most recently served as DG’s senior vice president of distribution.
The company stated that West joined Dollar General in 2005 as vice president of process improvement and led supply chain, finance, merchandising, marketing, and store operations initiatives during the past 18 years. Notably, West formerly served as the vice president of perishables growth and development from 2019 to 2021 where he strategically led the DG Fresh initiative from ideation to full implementation.
According to Jeff Owen, Dollar General’s chief executive officer, “Rod is an outstanding leader who will continue driving Dollar General forward through his considerable internal knowledge and experience on our supply chain team,”. “I am confident his leadership and expertise will further benefit Dollar General’s business, customers, and communities.”
Read the full announcement here.
Retail Industry Veteran Shawn Curran Joins Under Armour as CSCO
BALTIMORE — Under Armour announced that retail industry veteran Shawn Curran has joined the company as chief supply chain officer, reporting to the president and CEO Stephanie Linnartz.
The company stated that Curran spent his 30+ year career at Gap Inc., where he most recently served as Old Navy’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing over 44,000 associates across 1,200+ stores and managing end-to-end operations, inventory management and sourcing.
At Under Armour, Curran will oversee end-to-end planning and go-to-market, product sourcing, manufacturing and quality, global vendor base management, distribution and logistics, global customs and trade, warehousing, and sustainability.
According to Linnartz, “We are so excited to welcome Shawn to Under Armour as our new Chief Supply Chain Officer. With over three decades of experience, Shawn is a retail industry powerhouse who comes to Under Armour at this critical time with the breadth and depth of experience that we need to optimize the backbone of our business, the supply chain, to ensure that our consumers get the right products, at the right price, at the right time.”
Curran added, “It is an honor to be part of Under Armour, an iconic brand born out of a passion and maniacal focus on making innovative products that empower people to achieve their goals. I am excited to collaborate with the talented Under Armour team to enhance our supply chain ensuring our consumers get the very best experience and highest quality products.”
Read the full announcement here.
Orveon Global Taps Richard Jones as CSCO
NEW YORK — Orveon Global, a global personal care product manufacturer, announced the appointment of Richard Jones as chief supply chain officer.
The company stated, “With over 30 years of operations experience in consumer goods and 20 years concentrated on the beauty industry, Rich has lived and worked in the UK, Europe, and the US, bringing a comprehensive strategy to our team and help us #FaceForwardTogether.”
According to Jones, “I am very excited to join Orveon and return to the beauty industry, to be a part of the journey to create a values centric, innovative, and entrepreneurial Collective. I am looking forward to transforming Orveon’s global supply chain into a competitive advantage with all our associates and partners, to service our customers, distributors, and consumers.”
Christopher McNutt Joins Focus Brands as SVP Supply Chain
ATLANTA — Focus Brands®, parent company of iconic brands including Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, and Schlotzsky’s®, announced that Christopher McNutt has joined the company as its new senior vice president of supply chain.
Jim Holthouser, CEO of Focus Brands, stated, “At Focus Brands, we’ve invested in platforms, tools and resources to support our brands’ ability to grow. More importantly, we’re investing in the right talent to build industry-best technology and supply chain capabilities,” said Jim Holthouser, CEO of Focus Brands. “The addition of top-tier talent like these three individuals to our organization ensures continued success for our brands and franchisees.”
According to the company, McNutt will be responsible for overseeing the supply chain, distribution, logistics, and quality assurance functions for all seven brands in the Focus Brands portfolio globally. This role is responsible for strategic planning and directing all aspects of policies, objectives, and initiatives for each supply chain function to ensure adaptable and scalable solutions.
He will lead the supply chain team in creating even more value for brand franchisees, identifying and capturing synergies across all brands, leveraging combined purchasing power, and providing shared capabilities.
McNutt brings more than 20 years of experience in pricing, logistics, and supply chain to Focus Brands. A trusted advisor in the industry, he serves as Treasurer on the National Restaurant Association Supply Chain Expert Exchange Board.
Read the full announcement here.
GNRC Appoints Vinoth Kumar Group CSCO
NORTH EAST INDIA — GNRC, formerly known as Guwahati Neurological Research Centre, announced the appointment of Dr. Vinoth Kumar as group chief supply chain officer. Prior to joining GNRC, Kumar held leadership positions at Apollo Hospitals Group, Global Health Health City, KIMS Health, and Jehangir Hospitals.
The Express Healthcare (EH) News Bureau reported that “Kumar is a seasoned healthcare supply chain management professional, an innovator, author, researcher, medico-legal expert, disaster management specialist, and a sustainability advocate.
“He holds the distinction of being the first healthcare supply chain management professional in India to be awarded the Level 3 (Highest) Badge, “Qimpro Certified Qualitist,” by the Qimpro Foundation. He has pioneered the innovative concept of 4D MUSIC Model for achieving healthcare sustainability, earning him the “Best Innovator Award” and “Sustainability Champion Award” in healthcare.
“He is recognized for his expertise in sustainable patient-centric supply chain adopting CQO approaches, health technology assessments, and lean six sigma concepts.”
Renault Groups Appoints Jérôme Gouet VP of Procurement
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, France — The Renault Group announced that Jérôme Gouet will be taking over as vice president of procurement platforms A, C, D, LCV and Renault brand, becoming a member of the Renault brand management committee.
Gouet reports hierarchically to François Provost, Renault Group Chief Procurement, Partnerships and Public Affairs Officer, and functionally to Fabrice Cambolive, CEO of Renault brand.
The company stated that Gouet joined Renault in 1994 as a buyer and has over 25 years’ of experience in purchasing in Europe and internationally. He successively held the positions of purchasing manager in Latin America (1998), supplier account manager (SAM) plastics raw materials (2003), then cockpit module (2006), before being promoted to supplier account officer (SAO) in 2010, defining the Alliance Purchasing strategy for Seats.
Read the full announcement here.
Peraton Appoints William “Bill” Mertz as CPO
RESTON, Va. — Peraton, a national security company, announced the appointment of William “Bill” Mertz as senior vice president and chief procurement officer.
The company stated that Mertz will have executive responsibility for all aspects of the company’s procurement organization, including business systems compliance, strategic sourcing, positive cash flow management, and subcontractor management. He will also oversee the execution of Peraton’s procurement strategy that is designed to drive better efficiencies and reduce complexity for the company, its partners, and its customers.
According to Chairman, President, and CEO, Stu Shea, “Bill has long distinguished himself as an industry leader, critical thinker, and business strategist. He uniquely understands the critical role the procurement organization plays in helping us to achieve our growth and financial goals. I look forward to working closely with him and welcoming him to our executive leadership team,” said Shea.
Prior to joining Peraton, Mertz served as vice president, enterprise supply chain, at CACI where he established their integrated supply chain function and led the execution of a multi-year procurement strategy. Earlier in his career, he served in leadership roles of increasing responsibility within procurement and subcontracts at both CACI and SAIC.
Read the full announcement here.
Lemon Perfect Hires David Kimmell as CSCO
ATLANTA — Beyoncé-backed Lemon Perfect, one of the fastest-growing brands in the Flavor-Enhanced Water category, announced the hiring of former Onda chief operating officer, David Kimmell, as chief supply chain officer.
According to Lemon Perfect Founder and CEO Yanni Hufnagel, Kimmell is a transformational, growth-oriented supply chain leader who will be instrumental in implementing plans for a supply chain with unconstrained capacity and world-class product quality.
“Today is a monumental day for Lemon Perfect. David is a best-in-industry CPG executive and passionate people leader whose experience is unsurpassed. His operational wisdom will be key in ensuring that not only our supply chain but also our entire organization is billion-dollar-ready,” Hufnagel said.
The company stated that with 20 years of operations experience and nearly 15 years in food and beverage, Kimmell has helped scale multiple companies from infancy to acquisition. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his ability to innovate and facilitate growth while streamlining operations and maximizing productivity.
Kimmell has been lauded in the food and beverage industry for pioneering new systems and processes and creating exceptional consumer product experiences.
Read the full announcement here.
Ulrik Nilsson Assumes CSCO Role for Careium
KALIX, NORRBOTTENS LAN, Sweden — Careium, a leading player in technology-enabled care in Europe, announced the appointment of Ulrik Nilsson as chief supply chain officer. Ulrik will now work dedicatedly with Supply Chain, where he has long and significant experience.
According to Careium CEO Christian Walén, “Ulrik, with his enormous competence and execution power, will take full responsibility for our strategic supply chain function. High competence and full focus are central for us as a producing company with significantly increasing product sales,” Walén said.
“Ulrik’s new role and refined focus enable new interfaces and a more flexible working model between supply chain, our development departments, and production partners. We are already seeing the effects of Ulrik’s work with new projects, cost reductions, and strengthened collaboration internally and externally around the production chain,” continues Walén.
Read the full announcement here.
Sarah Clarke Joins American Eagle Outfitters as CSCO
PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), Inc. announced the appointment of Sarah Clarke as executive vice president — chief supply chain officer. She will be responsible for managing AEO’s global supply chain from sourcing through distribution. Clarke is one of two critical executive appointments for AEO.
The company stated that Clarke is a strategic business leader with extensive experience in supply chain management across several large-scale, multi-brand retail organizations. She joins AEO from PVH Corporation, where she held the role of global chief supply chain officer, driving operational excellence and strong commercial results.
According to Jay Schottenstein, executive chairman of the board and chief executive officer, “Sarah and Valerie bring deep industry knowledge and proven capabilities that complement our organization and innovative culture. As we chart out AEO’s next chapter and hone our focus on profitable growth, I am confident we have the right talent and performance-driven mindset across our teams to drive long-term success,” Schottenstein commented.
Read the full announcement here.
Bessie Williams Named CPO for NA at Prysmian Group
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY — Prysmian Group, a world leader in the energy and telecom cable industry, named Bessie Williams as chief procurement officer for North America. Williams brings 17 years of experience in the global supply chain and procurement sectors, with experience both in raw and non-raw procurement with an extensive background in metals.
The company stated that as CPO for Prysmian Group North America, Williams will lead procurement efforts to enable business units and functional partners to maximize the value they receive from suppliers to meet their objectives. Williams will provide strategic thought leadership, influence, and hands-on engagement to lead strategic sourcing and supply management strategies in North America.
According to Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Prysmian Group North America, “Bessie’s leadership, innovation, and commitment to driving change in procurement align seamlessly with our North American leadership team and our goals for the region moving forward,” she said.
“Suppliers and procurement are integral to our organization, and I’m excited to see Bessie sustain our forward momentum utilizing her unique perspective.”
Williams joins Prysmian from Moog Inc., where she served as director of strategic sourcing for Moog Aircraft Group since 2021. In that role, she led a global strategic sourcing team and supported sourcing, supplier identification/selection, negotiation, supplier relationship management, and partnering.
Read the full announcement here.
Kimberly Green Reynolds Named CPO for Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services Company
ATLANTA — Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services Company (CCBSS), a limited liability company owned by nearly 70 independent North American Coca-Cola bottlers, announced Kimberly Green Reynolds as the company’s chief procurement officer reporting to Brandi Shortt, CCBSS President and CEO. Reynolds will have further accountability to the Bottler Procurement Advisory Committee and the CCBSS Board of Directors.
The company stated that as CPO, Reynolds will lead the CCBSS procurement organization with ultimate responsibility for more than $70 billion in procurement spend. She will collaborate with leaders across the North America Coca-Cola Bottling System, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit (NAOU), and Coca-Cola System suppliers in order to serve the organization’s customers in the areas of value creation and risk mitigation while delivering a competitive advantage.
According to Brandi Shortt, CCBSS president and CEO, “We are very proud to have Kimberly lead our incredibly talented procurement team. She brings an incredible depth and breadth to the Coca-Cola System, beverage industry, and bottler experience, gained over more than two decades. This adds valuable perspective to our strategy as we continue our work for the Coca-Cola System in the most innovative, collaborative, and effective manner possible.”
Read the full announcement here.
Utz Brands Appoints Mitch Arends CISCO
HANOVER, PA — Utz Brands, Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, announced that Mitchell (“Mitch”) Arends has been appointed executive vice president, chief integrated supply chain officer, enhancing the company’s execution of both short- and long-term objectives and supply chain optimization.
The company stated that as chief integrated supply chain officer, Arends will oversee all aspects of the supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and planning. He will accelerate Utz’s efforts to optimize its supply chain network and capabilities, leveraging the significant progress the company has made over the last two years in scaling its productivity program, improving its service levels, and implementing improved processes and capabilities.
According to Howard Friedman, chief executive officer of Utz, “Mitch’s experience and track record in integrated supply chain leadership make him an excellent fit for Utz, especially as we continue our journey to further optimize our supply chain network.
“He will work closely with our talented existing manufacturing and supply chain leadership team in Shannan Redcay, EVP, Manufacturing, and Chad Whyte, EVP, Supply Chain. Given the significant opportunity ahead of us, Mitch’s leadership and expertise will enhance our ability to execute with excellence at speed,” Friedman added.
Read the full announcement here.
Ashley Hall Appointed SVP, Global Procurement for Lincoln Electric
CLEVELAND — Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., announced that J. Ashley Hall has joined the company to serve as senior vice president, global procurement. In this new role, Hall will oversee global procurement as a member of the executive leadership team and will report to Steven B. Hedlund, executive vice president, chief operating officer, who will be promoted to the position of chief executive officer beginning January 1, 2024.
According to Steven B. Hedlund, EVP, chief operating officer, “I am pleased to welcome Ash to the team, and I am confident his leadership experience and track record of advancing efficient procurement, supplier performance, and operational excellence will lend tremendous value to our strategic initiatives.”
The company stated that Hall has extensive experience over a 25-year career in global supply chain roles establishing and optimizing effective global procurement operations and supplier relationships in multinational companies.
He most recently served as vice president, global supply chain for Mercury Systems, a technology company serving defense and aerospace from 2019 to 2023, where he established a global strategic sourcing function and generated substantial efficiencies in the operation.
He was formerly chief procurement officer for Meggitt, a manufacturer of supplies and sub-systems for the defense and aerospace markets and held global supply chain roles at Danaher and Intel.
Read the full announcement here.
Dennis Mullahy, former CSCO for Macy’s, Joins Takt’s Advisory Team
RESTON, VA — Takt, a SaaS warehouse labor management system provider, announced that Dennis Mullahy, the former chief supply chain officer at Macy’s, has joined the Takt advisory team.
Prior to Macy’s, Mullahy spent 14 years leading supply chain teams at Michael’s Stores, Ulta Beauty, and Meijer and 17 years as a supply chain transformation consultant at Accenture working with storied brands like Saks Department Store Group, Toys-R-Us, and Wal-Mart.
According to Mullahy, “I am excited to be joining the Takt team. Labor management, planning and scheduling is one of the top supply chain issues not just for today but well into the future.
“I am excited to be working with such a talented team that is working on tackling this problem head on using technology, advanced analytics and feedback to create a balanced solution for both the management team and the workforce,” Mullahy said.
Takt stated that Mullahy has been instrumental in shaping the Takt product as an early design partner and now joins the team to help take the company to the next level.
Read the LinkedIn announcement here.
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