Kellogg announces new senior vice president of its global supply chain

Kellogg will be transitioning its supply chain leadership as Alistair Hirst, its Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain, has decided to retire later this year after 40 years of service.

Hirst will be succeeded by Rodrigo Lance, currently Vice President, Kellogg North America Supply Chain, and will be reporting directly to Kellogg Chairman and CEO, Steve Cahillane.

Lance joined Kellogg in 1997 and has been Vice President, KNA since November 2019.

Lance brings 25 years of Kellogg experience to his latest promotion, having held a variety of roles, including Production Supervisor at the Queretaro, Mexico plant. He was also Plant Manager in Guatemala; Linares, Mexico; and Columbus, Georgia.

In 2011, he was appointed Vice President, Snacks Engineering, then Vice President, Supply Chain, Latin America, and, later, Vice President, Supply Chain, Europe. He was instrumental in optimising both regions’ supply chain organisations by ensuring a relentless focus on their mission to ‘buy, make and deliver,’ enabling the regions’ business growth strategies.

“Rodrigo is a natural fit to lead our Global Supply Chain organisation,” said Alistair Hirst, Senior VP, Global Supply Chain of Kellogg.

“He has proven through his extensive experience – including over the last two years when he guided our KNA Supply Chain through the most challenging supply and cost environment in memory – that he is highly capable of leading complex organisations that drive successful execution and prioritise the safety of our people,” Hirst said.

Meanwhile, Hirst joined Kellogg in 1984 serving in several roles in South Africa, Australia and England. In 2005, he relocated to the U.S. to serve as Kellogg’s Vice President, Global Procurement, was named Senior Vice President, Snacks Supply Chain in 2008 and was Senior Vice President, North America Supply Chain in 2011.

He has led Kellogg’s global supply chain operations since 2012.

“The impact Alistair has had on Kellogg’s success during his nearly four decades has been tremendous,” said Steve Cahillane, Chairman and CEO at Kellogg.

“Since he assumed leadership of our global Supply Chain organisation in 2012, he has transformed the function through Kellogg Work System (KWS), driving employee engagement and standard work practices for impactful business results,” Cahillane said.

“He has helped Kellogg become an industry leader in safety and expanded our Supply Chain capabilities, including driving our digital transformation,” he said.

He continued that Hirst’s leadership has been especially valuable during the pandemic and related worldwide supply disruptions

“We are grateful that he chose to stay on to help the company navigate this challenging time before retiring,” he said.

“The last several years have put enormous pressure on our entire Supply Chain, but the team continues to persevere in part because of Alistair’s leadership and relentless commitment to execution excellence. We thank him for his years of dedication and passion, and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.”

Source: Kellogg