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Executive Achievements

"Chris's intangible skills are highly developed, which allowed him to drive tremendous growth in a complex matrix structure, demonstrating outstanding strategic and influencing skills to drive many new market initiatives.” 

 

Nestlé Senior Executive

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Retained Executive Adviser to major global PE funds and Ingredient Industry Companies -   July 2019 - Present

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  • Providing strategic insights and direction globally to CEO’s in both F&B, Ingredient companies and PE funds (with enterprise value of $200mio to 1 bio $) , including but limited to, Goldman Sachs and New Mountain Capital ( NY based)

  • Contracted to multiple billion $+ PE funds to create an investment thesis in the F&B/ Ingredient/Flavors space

  • Establish strategic road-maps to support expanding existing PE platforms to look also at bolt on M&A.

  • Participated in top to top meetings with owners, banks and PE funds to review business value and potential

  • Strategic adviser to a number of CEO’s in ingredients looking into expansion & divestment strategies

  • Defined the go to market strategy for clean label/ natural raw materials as well as Biotech ingredients

  • Providing due diligence support in supply chain, sales & marketing, pricing, portfolio management

  • Lead the strategy development for multiple well-funded startups to drive their next stage development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Promoted as the youngest ever VP to manage a global BU at the Nestlé HQ, mentored by Executive Board members.

  • Part of the core team, leading a global project to create the first-ever Global Business Unit for Foodservice with Board approval.

  • Launched a new global brand architecture for Nescafé after Board approval.

  • Drove a program of rationalization of products to drive efficiency in supply chain.

  • Managed global partnership agreements with equipment partners, including managing IP portfolio.

  • Launched the first-ever multi-beverage capsule solution for hot beverages with multi million Swiss franc support.

  • Accountable for >100 mio CHF of Capex for the division.

  • Developed and launched the first-ever innovation roadmap aligned to insights and new technology.

  • Established the first-ever Nestlé R&D facility to manage from ideation to commercialization, costing 10 mil CHF with Board approval.

  • Established the region for newly formed Nestlé Professional in Singapore covering Africa, Oceania, and Asia.

  • Defined and executed the first popular priced product strategy for emerging markets, including portfolio, pricing, and RTM.

  • AOA region became the most profitable and fastest growing globally within the division. 

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  • Recruited to turnaround the North American business (260 mio CHF in revenue) and within 2 years, promoted to manage the Americas 

  • Implemented a category and account management program, which became the global program.

  • The NA team achieved 100% success at all core lists and  became the fastest growing division globally, the strategic partner awards were based on service, innovation, and proactive efficiency programs.

  • Received the Group President Award for performance.

  • Promoted within 3 years to be Global Divisional President, managing all elements of the value chain across a 1.0+ billion CHF business.

  • Implemented a global LEAN program and transformed learnings from supply chain to commercial.

  • Global awards from eg Kellogg's, GMI, Coke in recognition of industry leading capabilities in quality, supply chain, and innovation. 

  • Added 250 mio in 4 years in revenue due to expanded reach in channels / geographies / distribution and deployment of Innovation.

  • Improved EBITDA significantly in a high cost, challenging environment by driving efficiency programs such as LEAN, created the global pricing office, priced innovation effectively, and established new global distributor framework.

  • Significantly reduced commercial expense as a ratio of sales through launching sales effectiveness tools online, improving back office set up for pre and post sales, launching a global Sales Excellence function, and redesigning incentive programs. 

  • Executed the  strategic implementation plan to drive discipline in execution/accountability, monitored through a dashboard shared monthly with all key internal stakeholders.

  • Established and executed the 2020 and 2025 strategies, with the 2020 planned achieved 1 year in advance. The new current strategy approved by the Board launched  3 new platforms for growth requiring significant investment, being Taste, Nutrition, and Smart Proteins.

  • Executed 3 M&As over a 2-year period, adding geographical reach, extended product portfolio, and brought new technology platforms.

  • Defined a long term roadmap with R&D focused on technology to drive leadership in the expanded divisional definition, Beyond Flavor.

  • Established a new business incubator platform targeting nutrition companies based on the West Coast.

 

The results are the division is now a tier one player in growth and profitability, with growth significantly outpacing the F&B and Flavor industry and is core listed at every major global and regional food and beverage company as well as rising stars and dynamo accounts. This was accomplished while managing a significant transformation agenda and receiving the group’s highest employee engagement scores. This was achieved consistently over the last 3 years. 

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