Utz Brands tapped former Kraft Heinz executive Mitchell Arends to be its chief integrated supply chain officer and EVP, effective Nov. 27, according to Tuesday press release.
At Utz, Arends will oversee all aspects of the supply chain including procurement, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and planning.
Arends joins the snack manufacturer with over 25 years of experience working in all aspects of the supply chain. Most recently at Kraft Heinz, Arends served as chief supply chain officer of North America operations. He has also held procurement and operations roles at Nestle & Gerber, R.R. Donnelley & Sons and Deere & Company.
Arenda aims to help Utz achieve its short- and long-term supply chain optimization goals.
In March 2021, Utz resumed efforts to convert company-owned, direct-store-delivery routes to independent-operator routes intended to eliminate selling transportation costs. That same year, Utz strategically acquired Festida Foods to further expand its manufacturing capabilities.
Utz has also taken measures to cut costs, optimize its network and facilitate inventory management. For instance, Utz closed its manufacturing facility that makes Golden Flake fried pork skins and other products in Birmingham, Alabama, and a factory that primarily makes kettle chips in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
