JOHN E. DAIGLE
CAREER PROFILE
Senior operations executive with over Thirty years of diversified experience in the food industry. Assignments spanning from
front-line management to executive positions, in companies ranging from privately held to Fortune 500 to internationally
held. Improved profitability through effective communications, results orientation and development of people. A broad range
of technical skills in human resources, finance, engineering and general business management makes adaptability to
changes in corporate direction a major strength.
CAREER PROFILE
Senior operations executive with over Thirty years of diversified experience in the food industry. Assignments spanning from
front-line management to executive positions, in companies ranging from privately held to Fortune 500 to internationally
held. Improved profitability through effective communications, results orientation and development of people. A broad range
of technical skills in human resources, finance, engineering and general business management makes adaptability to
changes in corporate direction a major strength.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
STONYFIELD FARM, INC, Londonderry, NH
A $350 million dairy products company, with national distribution and market share leadership in the natural foods industry, and the largest
manufacturer of organic yogurt in the world. Operating plants in New Hampshire and California, the company has experienced double-digit growth
each year, tripling its revenues in 6 years.
Vice President of Operations
Reporting to the President, this position is responsible for all aspects of the supply chain for the manufacture and distribution of yogurt products.
Responsibilities include sourcing of ingredients (conventional and organic) and materials, as well as manufacturing, distribution, customer service
and engineering. Capital planning exceeded $20 million in order to support the fastest growing brand in this category. Specific accomplishments
include:
· Eliminated $2 million from cost structure through continuous improvement of systems, training, and innovative technologies
· Drove $20 million capital expansion to replace previous infrastructure and methods of manufacturing
· Increased productivity of supply chain by 38% . Increased safety performance by 58% . Decreased quality complaints by 48%, Decreased
employee turnover rate by 30%
· Implemented cross functional participative work system teams for problem solving and project management
· Successfully integrated an acquired company, Brown Cow, into Stonyfield by developing and executing a strategic long-range capital plan. This
location is now poised to produce Stonyfield products in the West.
· Maintained gross margin at the same level despite the evolution to higher priced ingredients (due to organic product mix) through cost controls and
automation.
· Supported 30% annual growth and maintained excellent customer service while launching 2 major new products
· Named Processor of the Year by Dairy Field in 2003
GENERAL MILLS, INC., Methuen, MA
An $8 billion food company with market share leadership in cereals, snack foods, yogurt and prepared foods, operating 18 plants nationwide
General Manager, Yoplait/Colombo East Coast Operations
Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this position is responsible for all functions including manufacturing, distribution, customer service,
financial control, human resources and engineering. The manufacturing plant, comprised of 8 high-speed lines, and a remote distribution center in
North Reading MA, supported over 1 million cases monthly. Specific accomplishments include:
Continued:
· Increased capacity of the manufacturing operation 300%, with capital investments of $20 million annually, by adding 3 manufacturing lines
· Successfully integrated the acquired company, Colombo, into the General Mill's infrastructure and culture with minimal employee turnover. (An
in-depth study of national manufacturing and distribution for both brands resulted in rationalization of plants from 5 to 3; distribution centers from 9 to
4.)
· Designed, developed and implemented a co-mingled distribution strategy for the East Coast which required building a new 40K sq. ft. Distribution
Center in N. Reading MA
· Developed a relationship with the national sales team to leverage geographic advantage with customers. Resulted in the highest-rated customer
service (by trade) in the industry
COLOMBO, INC. Methuen, MA
A $135 million dairy products manufacturer (Subsidiary of Bongrain SA, France)
Vice President of Operations
· Joined Colombo in 1984 as Plant Manager. Continually expanded the position by adding the responsibilities of purchasing, transportation, research and
development, engineering, quality control, and cost accounting
· Developed and implemented innovative 'Plant within a Plant' concept for new product launch
· Engineered creative methods of processing in order to maximize the use of capital
· Increased plant capacity (200%) by using flexible processing systems and new highly automated packaging lines
PENN DAIRIES, Lancaster, PA
$100 million family-owned dairy manufacturer with sales distribution via supermarkets as well as 100 company-owned convenience stores
Plant Superintendent
· Joined as Production Supervisor, promoted to oversee all operations of manufacturing and distribution of fluid milk and ice cream on 2nd and 3rd shifts
· Supported a union workforce of approximately 150 persons - produced 6 days per week, 3 shifts per day
KRAFT DAIRY GROUP, Syracuse, NY
Nations largest food company operating ice cream operations in 11 plants
Production Supervisor
· Supervised a union workforce in an ice cream facility. Specific responsibilities included product loss control, sanitation, raw material procurement and production
planning
· Experienced significant exposure to Kraft corporate programs for employee development
· Improved plant performance ranking from bottom tier to Number 2 out of 11 plants
EDUCATION
BS in Food and Natural Resources, University of Mass., Amherst MA, 1978
STONYFIELD FARM, INC, Londonderry, NH
A $350 million dairy products company, with national distribution and market share leadership in the natural foods industry, and the largest
manufacturer of organic yogurt in the world. Operating plants in New Hampshire and California, the company has experienced double-digit growth
each year, tripling its revenues in 6 years.
Vice President of Operations
Reporting to the President, this position is responsible for all aspects of the supply chain for the manufacture and distribution of yogurt products.
Responsibilities include sourcing of ingredients (conventional and organic) and materials, as well as manufacturing, distribution, customer service
and engineering. Capital planning exceeded $20 million in order to support the fastest growing brand in this category. Specific accomplishments
include:
· Eliminated $2 million from cost structure through continuous improvement of systems, training, and innovative technologies
· Drove $20 million capital expansion to replace previous infrastructure and methods of manufacturing
· Increased productivity of supply chain by 38% . Increased safety performance by 58% . Decreased quality complaints by 48%, Decreased
employee turnover rate by 30%
· Implemented cross functional participative work system teams for problem solving and project management
· Successfully integrated an acquired company, Brown Cow, into Stonyfield by developing and executing a strategic long-range capital plan. This
location is now poised to produce Stonyfield products in the West.
· Maintained gross margin at the same level despite the evolution to higher priced ingredients (due to organic product mix) through cost controls and
automation.
· Supported 30% annual growth and maintained excellent customer service while launching 2 major new products
· Named Processor of the Year by Dairy Field in 2003
GENERAL MILLS, INC., Methuen, MA
An $8 billion food company with market share leadership in cereals, snack foods, yogurt and prepared foods, operating 18 plants nationwide
General Manager, Yoplait/Colombo East Coast Operations
Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this position is responsible for all functions including manufacturing, distribution, customer service,
financial control, human resources and engineering. The manufacturing plant, comprised of 8 high-speed lines, and a remote distribution center in
North Reading MA, supported over 1 million cases monthly. Specific accomplishments include:
Continued:
· Increased capacity of the manufacturing operation 300%, with capital investments of $20 million annually, by adding 3 manufacturing lines
· Successfully integrated the acquired company, Colombo, into the General Mill's infrastructure and culture with minimal employee turnover. (An
in-depth study of national manufacturing and distribution for both brands resulted in rationalization of plants from 5 to 3; distribution centers from 9 to
4.)
· Designed, developed and implemented a co-mingled distribution strategy for the East Coast which required building a new 40K sq. ft. Distribution
Center in N. Reading MA
· Developed a relationship with the national sales team to leverage geographic advantage with customers. Resulted in the highest-rated customer
service (by trade) in the industry
COLOMBO, INC. Methuen, MA
A $135 million dairy products manufacturer (Subsidiary of Bongrain SA, France)
Vice President of Operations
· Joined Colombo in 1984 as Plant Manager. Continually expanded the position by adding the responsibilities of purchasing, transportation, research and
development, engineering, quality control, and cost accounting
· Developed and implemented innovative 'Plant within a Plant' concept for new product launch
· Engineered creative methods of processing in order to maximize the use of capital
· Increased plant capacity (200%) by using flexible processing systems and new highly automated packaging lines
PENN DAIRIES, Lancaster, PA
$100 million family-owned dairy manufacturer with sales distribution via supermarkets as well as 100 company-owned convenience stores
Plant Superintendent
· Joined as Production Supervisor, promoted to oversee all operations of manufacturing and distribution of fluid milk and ice cream on 2nd and 3rd shifts
· Supported a union workforce of approximately 150 persons - produced 6 days per week, 3 shifts per day
KRAFT DAIRY GROUP, Syracuse, NY
Nations largest food company operating ice cream operations in 11 plants
Production Supervisor
· Supervised a union workforce in an ice cream facility. Specific responsibilities included product loss control, sanitation, raw material procurement and production
planning
· Experienced significant exposure to Kraft corporate programs for employee development
· Improved plant performance ranking from bottom tier to Number 2 out of 11 plants
EDUCATION
BS in Food and Natural Resources, University of Mass., Amherst MA, 1978
