Welcome to Procurement News, part of our ongoing aggregate news series covering recent supply management headlines and trends pertinent to Chief Procurement Officers and other procurement leaders. Contact us with your news story here.
Procurement Executive News
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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