Battle Creek, Michigan-based Kellogg Company has announced changes to its supply chain leadership team.
After 40 years of Kellogg service, Alistair Hirst, SVP of global supply chain, has decided to retire later this year. In accordance with succession plans, Rodrigo Lance, currently VP of Kellogg North America supply chain, will succeed Hirst.
Lance and Hirst will work together to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.
Hirst joined Kellogg in 1984, serving in several roles of increasing responsibility at Kellogg’s Springs, South Africa plant, and in 1993 was named production manager at Kellogg’s Botany, Australia plant.
In 1995, he returned to South Africa as plant manager in Springs and, in 1997, was named director of supply chain at the facility. He relocated to the Manchester, England facility in 2001 to become director of procurement and, in 2004, was named European logistics director.
In 2005, he relocated to the U.S. to serve as Kellogg’s VP of global procurement, was named was named SVP of snacks supply chain in 2008, and SVP of North America supply chain in 2011.
When Lance assumes the role later this year, he will be reporting directly to Kellogg Chairman and CEO Steve Cahillane.
“The impact Alistair has had on Kellogg’s success during his nearly four decades has been tremendous,” Cahillane said. “Since he assumed leadership of our global supply chain organization in 2012, he has transformed the function through Kellogg Work System, driving employee engagement and standard work practices for impactful business results. He has helped Kellogg become an industry leader in safety and expanded our supply chain capabilities, including driving our digital transformation.
“His leadership has been especially valuable during the pandemic and related worldwide supply disruptions, and we are grateful that he chose to stay on to help the company navigate this challenging time before retiring. 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.”
Lance brings 25 years of Kellogg experience to new role
Lance has been VP of KNA supply chain since November 2019 and has broad experience across most of the Kellogg company.
He began his Kellogg career in 1997 and served in various roles, including production supervisor at the Queretaro, Mexico plant. He was also plant manager in Guatemala; Linares, Mexico; and Columbus, Georgia.
He was appointed VP of snacks engineering in 2011, then VP of supply chain in Latin America, and, later, became VP of supply chain in Europe. He was instrumental in optimizing both regions’ supply chain organizations 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 organization,” Hirst said. “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 organizations that drive successful execution and prioritize the safety of our people.”
“I’m confident that Rodrigo will continue to build on the remarkable foundation that Alistair and our entire supply chain organization have created,” Cahillane said.
A successor for Lance’s current role will be announced at a later date.
Kellogg Company brand line-up includes Pringles, Cheez-It, Special K, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Eggo, Mini-Wheats and MorningStar Farms. Net sales in 2021 were nearly $14.2 billion, comprised principally of snacks as well as convenience foods like cereal, frozen foods and noodles.
For more information, visit KelloggCompany.com.
