Cesar Portillo Email & Phone Number

Querétaro, Mexico

Responsible for R&D Cereal Category Product Development.

Querétaro, Mexico

Responsible for the CAPEX, Engineering, Packaging Development, Scale Up and Continuous Improvement functions. Lead the relationships with key Co-Manufacturers and ensure excellence on the execution for launches with a very tight timeframe (3 months from concept to launch).• Fixed and improved relationships with 2 manufacturing partners, representing 11 items and 2 top sellers.• Scaled-up winning Chili Crisp homemade recipe into industrial scale for Whole Foods in 3 months.• Led the Innovation and Technology Development for SOMOS Manufacturing of +40 SKU’s.

Querétaro, Mexico

Led Product Development the Latin America North region, responsible for a team of 2 Technical Managers and 8 Food Scientists located in 3 sites, reporting to the Regional R&D Director. Translated the business strategy into technical objectives. Maximized the internal and external resources from Product Design to Launch.• Mapped and managed mitigated risks for the launch of the TURIN® Premium Sugar-Free Snacks Family in half of the scheduled time ($5 MM USD above plan).• Led cross functional / regional teams to recover 20 margin points for Orbit® chewing gum core item.• Integrated 3 siloed R&D teams into a high-performing one, as a result of a new R&D talent strategy.• Led and steered the implementation of Design Thinking for key initiatives as the funnel for Stage-Gate® Process, ensuring the Lucas® brand sustained its participation in 80% of price brackets for the next 5 years.

Querétaro, Mexico

Transformational Projects Senior leader for the Mexico Spicy and Gum Categories, responsible for a team of 5 Food Scientists in 1 site and reporting to the Senior R&D Director Mexico.• Restored the supply chain security for +150 ingredients, enabling 20% top seller growth.• Expanded the Lucas® brand by developing and launching the Sour Candy Partition ($7MM USD in sales).• Developed and produced the first MARS liquid-center chewing gum ($3MM USD in sales) while protecting intellectual property and setting up the standard for developing and working with co-manufacturers.• Guided the technical team in cost breakdowns and enabled 5% raw materials cost reduction for Spicy candy, while maintaining consumer overall liking.

Monterrey Y Alrededores, México

Developed the Packaging Innovation area and pioneered the Global R&D Packaging Leaders Team, leading 4 Packaging Engineers reporting to the R&D Director Mexico.• Repatriated Skittles® co-packing operations, reducing costs in 25% while maintaining customer service. • Reduced 15% cost of plastic for top sellers by improving design while maintaining consumer experience. • Eliminated PVC from Packaging Portfolio (+50 TON annually), for North America while maintaining costs.• Developed and implemented a Sustainability Strategy for MX behind 7,000 TON plastic use.

Linares, Nuevo León, Mexico

Coordination of seasonal packaging initiatives for Linares and Reynosa Plants.

Cranfield, England, United Kingdom

MSc. course which comprised modules and 2 consultancy projects, one for OXFAM and one for CISCO.

General Escobedo Y Alrededores, México

Started up the Packaging Engineering HUB in a green field project reporting into a U.S. based Sr. Manager. • De-bottlenecked a major candy line, resulting in additional 5.1% of annual output.• Saved $2MM and 500 TON in foil wrap.

Master Of Science (Msc), Global Product Development And Management

Activities and Societies: Ignite Event

Postgraduate Diploma, Packaging Science

Bsc. Honors Graduate, Chemical E

Activities and Societies: Part-time Job as Scholar in the Physique-Chemical Lab for 2.5 years.