Ventra Thompson

Strategy Deployment, Business Transformation, Resource Optimization

• Strategic foresight & execution: engaging with internal cross-functional partners (Marketing Innovation, Brand Growth Teams and Finance) to develop long-term sourcing plans with a focus on future state/innovation and category growth • Business Partnership: building and strengthening relationships with external suppliers and industry experts to drive commercialization plans, optimize impact in continuous improvement and support top line growth via innovation • Supply Chain Optimization: evaluating total cost of ownership, capacity, and network plans to drive end-to-end value and support negotiations across the external co-manufacturing supply base

• Managed and developed an on-site and off-shore team of seven, overseeing advertising and sales support investments totaling approximately $850 million annually for North America – the largest spend category within procurement • Coordinated and effectively implemented new agency compensation and supplier relationship management systems across the globe (four major regions) • Delivered over $87M in P&L savings and $67M cost mitigation over term, with a focus on optimizing brand building investments and enabling better agency work with top talent supporting brands • Led cross functional teams (marketing operations, brand leads, procurement, and finance) as the single point of contact for global initiatives

• Managed over $175M in annual global spend, across three highly visible, brand specific categories: freeze dried fruit (Special K), fiber and raisins (Raisin Bran); additionally, managed $100M North America energy spend • Created and executed global category strategies to drive continuous improvement/cost savings, supported food safety targets and delivered sustainability initiatives, realizing an annualized impact of 5% or $9M in savings • Led a global growing campaign to identify sustainable sources of fruit year-round and supported category team in developing sourcing strategies and designing internal/supplier relationships that extracted maximum value • Oversaw third party partners to support delivery of a long-term, cohesive North American energy strategy to meet 2020 Natural Resource Conservation Sustainability goals

• Managed ~$300 mm annual spend and provided clear visibility monthly on variances above $100K along with market trends • Executed strategic procurement objectives to exceed goals specific to the oils category: reduced controllable spend by 20% through a clean sheeting/should-cost modeling exercise. Realized $6.1 mm cost savings within 6 months, over-delivering on the initial $2 mm target • Proactively managed financial risks and opportunities, collaborating with the internal risk management team and reviewing market data to develop options strategies • Mitigated continuity of supply risks through alternate supplier approvals and analyzing ingredient functionality/technical qualities and proposing consolidation when possible • Built global sustainability strategies with strategic suppliers and supported delivery of Corporate Responsibility initiatives

• Spearheaded growth initiatives to increase customer base as a two-part sales team: managing over 76 million lbs of commodity and branded oil business in the food ingredient segment • Conducted in-depth cost analysis and researches market trends to obtain insight into market conditions; relays market intelligence to accounts to forecast future price points and encourage additional contracted volume • Developed innovative market entry pricing strategies and risk management options/tools, performs assessments of competitor data, and completes profitability analyses for all food ingredient products

• Managed the overall profitability of margarine and flavored oil products through uniform pricing principles • Maintained correct product mix in production to maximize ROI for a 37 million dollar asset and minimize plant costs • Introduced proactive and innovative solutions to both competitive and industry-wide challenges • Analyzed P&L statements and used financials to drive go-to-market and pricing strategies

•Grew sales volume 15% by leveraging effective up-selling techniques within existing accounts •Oversaw and maintained approximately $67 million dollars, 120 million pounds in annual oil sales •Managed profit and loss, identifying opportunities in alignment with Chicago Board of Trade, recovering defunct client accounts, while monitoring account payment cycles

• Merchandised soybeans utilizing basis and futures values established by competitive segmented markets and the Chicago Board of Trade; successfully hedged and exchanged futures • Directly managed all domestic and international rail responsibilities with supervision over rail road equipment and private car fleet of 360+ leased/owned cars, 325+ railroad cars • Reported all USDA Export Rail documentation for the Des Moines, IA, Lincoln, NE, and Mankato, MN processing locations