JOHN E. DAIGLE

CAREER PROFILE

Senior operations executive with over 30 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.  Started JD Creative Solutions LLC in January 2005.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

STONYFIELD FARM, INC, Londonderry, NH

  • A $280 million dairy products company, with national distribution and market share leadership in the natural foods industry, and largest
    manufacturer of organic yogurt in the world.  Operating plants in NH and California, the company has experienced double digit growth
    eachyear,with 5X revenues in 7 years

Vice President of Operations  (1997-2005)

  • 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 $40 million to support the fastest growing brand in this      
    category at that time.  

Specific accomplishments include:

  • Eliminate $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

A $12 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  (1994-1997)

  • Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this position is responsible for all functions including manufacturing, distrbution, customer
    service, financial controls, 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:

  • 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 and distribution centers )
  • 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  (1984-1994)

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 (1981-1984)

$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
    second and third shifts
  • Supported a union workforce of approximately 150 persons - produced 6 days per week, 3 shifts per day
  • Chairman of Safety Committee


KRAFT DAIRY GROUP, Syracuse, NY  (1979-1981)

Nations largest food company operating ice cream operations in 11 plants in the US

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
Profile