Experience

LALA U.S., Inc

• United States
• Food & Beverages
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Director, Strategy & Innovation

  • Dec 2019 - Aug 2023

  Dallas, TX Promoted to a newly-created Chief of Staff position reporting to the CEO responsible for developing long-term business strategy and identifying key focus areas to grow the U.S. region. Directed a team of 7 associates to craft and implement holistic annual operating plans for 3 business units. Conducted business case analysis and allocated resources to ad-hoc projects. • Implemented robust strategic planning framework to develop multi-year business strategies rooted in consumer research and… Show more Promoted to a newly-created Chief of Staff position reporting to the CEO responsible for developing long-term business strategy and identifying key focus areas to grow the U.S. region. Directed a team of 7 associates to craft and implement holistic annual operating plans for 3 business units. Conducted business case analysis and allocated resources to ad-hoc projects. • Implemented robust strategic planning framework to develop multi-year business strategies rooted in consumer research and market data resulting in reprioritization of business resources and closure of 1 business unit and improving EBITDA by $1.2M YOY • Unlocked new synergies across Sales, Trade, Brand and Shopper Marketing by creating integrated calendars that ensured consistent plan activation across entire Commercial team and grew 3 product lines by over 10% YOY • Established project management team that implemented company-wide stage gate processes, developed method for allocating resources, and reduced project implementation time by nearly 35% versus prior methods • Restructured Marketing and Product Development teams to operate more efficiently, resulting in the simplification of team member responsibilities and an elimination of 1 senior-level headcount ($235k SG&A annual savings) • Optimized product portfolio by eliminating 100% of unprofitable items, reducing cost of goods sold by 8.2% annually on existing items, and launching 5 new product platforms driving over $12.3M annual incremental sales

• Senior Manager, Procurement & Supply Chain

  • Oct 2018 - Nov 2019

  Dallas, Texas Promoted to a cross-functional role serving as the voice of the Supply Chain organization to drive product innovation, go-to-market strategy, analyze capital requirements, and forge third-party partnerships to expand the product portfolio. • Spearheaded an initiative to sell excess plant capacity, delivering an additional $14.2M in annual sales and optimizing asset utilization • Led product renovation and other Supply Chain cost reduction initiatives, achieving $5.5M in annual… Show more Promoted to a cross-functional role serving as the voice of the Supply Chain organization to drive product innovation, go-to-market strategy, analyze capital requirements, and forge third-party partnerships to expand the product portfolio. • Spearheaded an initiative to sell excess plant capacity, delivering an additional $14.2M in annual sales and optimizing asset utilization • Led product renovation and other Supply Chain cost reduction initiatives, achieving $5.5M in annual productivity • Renegotiated credit terms with 31 critical suppliers, increasing DPO by 15 days and improved working capital through inventory controls, reducing DOH by 12%

• Procurement Manager

  • Nov 2016 - Oct 2018

  Dallas, Texas Reported to the Director of Procurement in a new role created to develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for a portfolio of raw commodities and indirect supplies totaling $60M in annual spend. • Developed corporate procurement policies and implemented streamlined contract management processes • Renegotiated dairy commodity supply agreements resulting in cost savings of over $2.4M annually • Supported an asset strategy project leading to the closure of the San Antonio plant… Show more Reported to the Director of Procurement in a new role created to develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for a portfolio of raw commodities and indirect supplies totaling $60M in annual spend. • Developed corporate procurement policies and implemented streamlined contract management processes • Renegotiated dairy commodity supply agreements resulting in cost savings of over $2.4M annually • Supported an asset strategy project leading to the closure of the San Antonio plant and managed key milestones to ensure the successful sale of the facility and realignment of operations



PepsiCo

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Agro Field Manager, Potatoes

  • Aug 2014 - Nov 2016

  Plano, TX Promoted to oversee 33 farms across the Southeast and the Great Lakes regions supplying potatoes to 13 plants in the Eastern United States. Negotiated contract terms, pricing, and ensured adequate supply for manufacturing operations. • Established the Agro team’s innovation agenda by identifying new field technology platforms and simulation modeling techniques to improve supply sustainability • Increased supplier diversity by establishing relationships and contracting supply with 4… Show more Promoted to oversee 33 farms across the Southeast and the Great Lakes regions supplying potatoes to 13 plants in the Eastern United States. Negotiated contract terms, pricing, and ensured adequate supply for manufacturing operations. • Established the Agro team’s innovation agenda by identifying new field technology platforms and simulation modeling techniques to improve supply sustainability • Increased supplier diversity by establishing relationships and contracting supply with 4 minority-owned farms

• Commodity Manager, Milled Grains

  • Jun 2012 - Jul 2014

  Plano, TX Promoted to develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for the $200M milled grains portfolio for Quaker Foods and Frito-Lay, the largest individual portfolio in the organization covering all brands in PepsiCo North America Foods. Conducted fundamental analysis and provided strategic insight to senior management on global grain markets. • Led cross-functional initiative to improve raw material specifications that unlocked additional cornmeal supply availability to support double-digit… Show more Promoted to develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for the $200M milled grains portfolio for Quaker Foods and Frito-Lay, the largest individual portfolio in the organization covering all brands in PepsiCo North America Foods. Conducted fundamental analysis and provided strategic insight to senior management on global grain markets. • Led cross-functional initiative to improve raw material specifications that unlocked additional cornmeal supply availability to support double-digit extruded business unit growth • Collaborated with Marketing and Research & Development teams to drive innovation projects, including the launch of Doritos Locos Tacos • Provided operational and supply chain expertise to deliver cross-functional productivity of $1M annually

• Commodity Analyst, Vegetable Oils

  • Jun 2011 - May 2012

  Plano, TX Executed purchasing strategy for the Quaker Foods vegetable oils portfolio totaling $18M in annual category spend. Collected global market data to perform commodity analysis and supported the Category Director with market analytics. • Drove $225k in annual productivity for the category by compressing costs and working with cross-functional teams to execute optimization projects



Texas A&M University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Teaching Assistant in the Department of Agricultural Economics

  • Sep 2008 - May 2011

  College Station, TX Attended classes, helped instructors teach courses, and provided assistance to students. Oversaw grading workload for 3 courses with a total of more than 350 students per semester. Helped develop a special topics course utilizing innovative instruction methods and materials.

• Student Researcher in the Department of Agricultural Economics

  • Jun 2008 - Sep 2008

  College Station, Texas, United States Collected and analyzed information regarding the economic impacts of water supply and demand. Determined sustainability of Texas estuaries considering endangered species and climate change. Developed an economic approach to conservation focusing on resource allocation.



U.S. House of Representatives

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Summer Intern in the Office of Congressman Jeb Hensarling

  • May 2010 - Aug 2010

  Washington D.C. Represented Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences as 1 of 10 policy interns. Gained understanding of the policy making process through hands-on experience. Monitored legislation, prepared reports for senior staff, and responded to constituents.