Robert Mason

Robert A. Mason stands out as a seasoned executive with a storied career in supply chain management, demonstrating exceptional strategic leadership across various facets of the industry. With a foundational academic background in Anthropology from Carleton University, Robert has adeptly applied his analytical and collaborative skills to the dynamic field of supply chain operations. His journey through the ranks of renowned organizations such as The Coca-Cola Company and Celestica has been marked by progressive responsibility, culminating in his current role as Director of Supply Chain Operations (Consultant) at Joriki Inc.His remarkable tenure at The Coca-Cola Company saw him navigate multiple directorial roles where he drove significant advancements in supply and demand planning, and managed substantial COGS spending within a sensitive juice supply chain. Notably, Robert was instrumental in developing a dairy supply chain model that integrated with existing MRP and APO systems, yielding substantial financial gains.In his strategic capacity at Baby Gourmet Foods, Robert was pivotal in formulating long-term strategic supply chain objectives and crafting a costing model that served as a benchmark for annual standard costs. His impact on operational efficiency is further evidenced by his leadership during the implementation of SAP across various functions, showcasing his adeptness with industry-standard ERP systems.At Joriki Inc., Robert's expertise is once again on display as he oversees all aspects of supply chain operations for the company's first US-based super-site. His key achievements include spearheading the implementation of a new warehouse management system, reducing working capital by 25% within three months without compromising customer service expectations, and exceeding new customer requirements through enhanced warehouse and distribution processes.A lifelong learner, Robert has supplemented his extensive experience with continuous professional development through Coca-Cola University and Harvard Business School's Leadership Excellence Accelerated Performance program. He is also an active member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.Robert's leadership philosophy is characterized by fostering strong relationships, driving business results through project collaboration, and maintaining detailed attention to minimize project setbacks. Colleagues like Brian Pickard have lauded his business vision and strategic thinking while Shruti Patel commends him for being an invaluable team asset who excels at problem-solving.Through his hands-on approach to mentoring and team development, hiring acumen, negotiation skills, performance management expertise, and his fluency in utilizing specialized software such as SAP ERP and Anaplan among others, Robert A. Mason has solidified his reputation as an executive leader who not only shapes operations but also cultivates talent within the organizations he serves.

A dynamic, result driven, and collaborative Supply Chain leader with extensive experience setting strategic direction and tactical plans

• Broad, progressively senior experience, with a strong background in: strategic planning, project management, operations, procurement, client relations, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, change management, budgeting, and process improvement.
• Core competencies: supply planning, raw material planning, demand planning, distribution, warehousing, materials management, logistics, and 3PL.
• Proficient communication and organizational leadership abilities. Proven ability to establish a positive rapport with clients, colleagues, leaders, and other professionals while working in fast-paced, deadline-driven roles.
• Advanced user of Microsoft Office Suite, as well as specialized software and applications, including: ERP systems (SAP), Anaplan, Logility, and Fishbowl (among others).

✓ Created supply planning, inventory managements, customer service, warehouse, and distribution centre organizations and processes for the successful launch of USA super-site

✓ Participated in design and implementation of Anaplan, Logility, Fishbowl, and two SAP systems

✓ 15 consecutive years of employee engagement scores that rank in the top 10% of the organization

✓ Developed end to end dairy supply chain within fast paced CPG environment

✓ Implemented S&OP process align end to end business functions and remove roadblocks to success

✓ Developed working capital strategies reducing complexity, and eliminating 90% of 3PL requirements

✓ Develop supply chain strategies that achieved and sustained world class customer service of 99.6%

✓ Oversight of strategic raw material purchases leveraging global opportunities and improved P&L

✓ Spearheaded and sponsored continuous improvement initiatives delivering multimillion dollar savings

✓ Championed warehouse optimization responsible for increasing warehouse utilization 12 points

✓ Responsible for multimillion dollar operating budgets and hundreds of millions in COGS spending

✓ Designed and implemented organizational structures, roles and responsible, KPI’s and budgets

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Director, Supply Chain Ops (Consultant), Joriki Beverages, 2022 to Present 

• Project leader for end to end supply chain for Joriki’s first USA based super-site • Developed Supply Chain Ops team structures, roles and responsibilities, goals, and objectives • Hired site Supply Chain Ops leadership team • Developed and implemented supply chain ops processes to support site operations • Sourced, negotiated, and headed implementation of Warehouse Management System • Setup warehouse and distribution centre processes to meet new customer requirements • Negotiated contracts with various service and equipment providers supporting Supply Chain Ops • Site lead for SAP for Partners (R3/ECC) implementation • Designed and implemented working capital strategies and processes, reducing working capital >25% within 3 months while maintaining service levels

Vice President, Supply Chain Ops, Hero Group - Baby Gourmet, 2021 to 2022 • Executive Leader responsible for end to end supply chain • Developed supply chain costing model to determine annual standard costs and measure against actual costs and current standards • Member of the global leadership purchasing team responsible for developing purchasing strategies to support Hero Group global requirements • Developed Supply Chain Ops 1, 3, and 5 year strategic objectives

Director, Strategy and Planning Supply Chain Operations, Coca-Cola Limited (Minute Maid), 2019 to 2021

• Operational Leadership senior team member responsible for Demand Planning, Ingredient Planning, Packaging Planning, SAP Mater Data, and Bag in Box forecasting to bottling partners • Steering Committee leader for $93MM fairlife plant in Peterborough, ON • Designed and implemented end to end dairy supply chain model utilizing existing MRP and APO systems • Developed customer base for dairy by-products delivering $15MM of revenue per year • Senior leader responsible for developing and socializing COVID19 Supply Chain and Operational responses to minimize cost and protect service levels • Member of global project team responsible for Canadian interests in the design of SAP Hana • Project sponsor for implementation of Anaplan Demand Planning tool • Project lead for route to market expansion of direct shipments and courier models

Director of Supply and Demand Planning, Coca-Cola Minute Maid Company of Canada (Minute Maid), 2015 to 2019

• Executive leader of Minute Maid Canada’s Planning organization responsible for national Demand Planning, Raw Material Planning, Finished Goods Planning, and SAP Master Data • Responsible for over $500MM in COGS spending in time and temperature sensitive juice supply chain • Executive sponsor for development of forecast tool to detect forecast accuracy challenges at micro and macro levels and identify areas for improvement • Member of Executive team responsible for end to end business strategy planning, P&L, trade spend, and direct marketing expense management • Executive lead for monthly S&OP process • Member of the corporate Joint Health, Safety and Environment committee • Supply Chain lead for Incident Management and Critical Response (IMCR) team

National Supply Planning Business Manager, Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada (Minute Maid), 2012 - 2015 

• Executive leader of Minute Maid Canada’s planning teams responsible for raw material planning, finished goods planning, and SAP master data planning across 17 locations • Responsible for more than 300 finished goods SKU’s, warehouse capacity planning, production capacity planning, production planning, 3rd party warehouse contract negotiations, working capital, and safety stock strategies • Managed project to reduce supply chain complexity through process redesign, negotiated new service agreements, and leveraged internal and external relationships delivering $2.0MM in savings per year and consolidating 17 facilities into 11 • Reduced outside storage 70% while reducing working capital and improving order fill to customers from 95.2% to over 99%

Supply Chain and Distribution Centre Manager, Coca-Cola Ltd (Minute Maid), 2006 to 2012

• Lead a team of 23 hourly unionized employees and 9 salaried associates responsible for frozen, chilled, and ambient warehousing and distribution 24 hours a day 5 days a week • Warehouse and Distribution Centre focal point for audits that included government agency, customer audit, and internal Quality Health and Safety audits • Responsible for all aspects of distribution and warehousing including inbound and outbound freight, shunting, tendering, inventory control, order picking, safety, GMP, maintenance, recruiting, training, and resolving collective labour disputes • Member of site Joint Health, Safety and Environment committee • Prepared Distribution Centre budget recommendations and managed within budgetary requirements • Lead supply chain team responsible for setting inventory strategies, creating production schedules, JIT deliveries, and acting upon MRP outputs in an AS400 then SAP planning system • Implemented production scheduling standards that improved operating efficiencies, warehouse utilization, and reduced water usage

Senior Manager, Supply Chain, Celestica International, 1996 to 2006

• Fast-tracked through a series of increasingly responsible positions in the fast paced, hyper-growth electronic manufacturing field managing supply chain accounts of up to $250 million per year • Lead purchasing, planning, engineering change management, and inventory controls supporting various customers from high complexity-low volume accounts to low complexity-high volume accounts • Responsible for teams of up to 26 salaried associates • Implemented Lean Manufacturing process for supply chain including Kanban order process, and lead Kaizen Blitz events • Negotiated over $30 million in customer inventory liability recoveries • Implemented outbound Vendor Managed Inventory for customer including local 3rd party warehousing, and inbound Vendor Managed Inventory for suppliers impacting more than $100 million of inventory annually • Transferred production and operations from Toronto to various company locations in Asia valued at more than $100 million in revenue per year • Member of team responsible for implementation of SAP (R3/ECC)

Education

Harvard Business Publishing | Atlanta, GA

Certificate, Business Leadership: Leadership Excellence Acceleration Performance (LEAP2.0) - 2 year program

Carleton University | Ottawa, ON 1996

Bachelor of Arts, Social Sciences

Training, and Professional Development

• Training Ongoing- Negotiation, The Black Swan Group (2023- Present)
• Course Completion- Continuous Professional Development, Coca-Cola University (2006- 2021)
• Member- Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (2015- Present)