Second Nature Brands is the umbrella brand for the heritage brands – Kar’s Nuts, Second Nature Snacks and Sanders Chocolates – which have built a strong reputation for making snacks and treats people love. Responsible for its financial, procurement and IT, with a special focus on accelerating its innovation agenda.

Recruited by CEO and Private Equity sponsor to lead the Finance and IT departments of this fast growing food company. Focus on added value activities of finance like strategic pricing, customer & product profitability including moving to an activity based costing system and working capital management. Drove various strategic sourcing projects. Served as key financial partner to formalize and continious fine tuning of the strategic direction including decision on which business activities to stop/sell. Spearheaded various IT initiatives to streamline finance works stream, cyber security and upgrade IT platform.

$500MM privately owned further meat processor serving leading food and retail industry plus military and school lunches. Recruited by President/CEO to direct financial activities including treasury, taxation, reporting, cash/sales forecasting, leasing, working capital management, pricing/commercial costing and IT. Private Equity like environment.

Global position, recruited by group CFO to develop financial and risk management systems for $2.2B global shared serves procurement organization with teams in US, Europe and Asia. Orchestrated initiatives to instate and optimize finance-related functions including business intelligence (KPI's), global financial reporting, supplier relationship management systems, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls and working capital. Served a key financial partner to Senior VP of Global Procurement and VP North American Procurement.Referral from Reinier Kelder (Sr VP of Global Procurement):Herman works in our global procurement team as our finance business partner for about two years now. Within our matrix organization he formally reports into the finance function, and dotted line to me. I appreciate highly the contribution which Herman is making to the performance of our team. He has a superb knowledge of the finances of the business, and is able to utilize his broad financial scope and understanding of the overall business, to drive progress in the procurement team globally. I work closely together with Herman almost on a daily basis, and since his arrival in the team we have been able to take big steps forward in the areas of control, risk management and upgrading our processes and systems. He takes initiative, and is keen to bring forward improvement opportunities which he spots, either within the procurement team, or in the broader business.Herman always delivers on time, and the work which he delivers is of high quality. He is service oriented, and I have many experiences where we asked him to do a difficult job, which he always accepts in a positive way and delivers on time, in full. Frankly, I cannot remember a single instance when he failed to deliver on time. In a nutshell, I consider it a privilege to work with somebody of his quality and attitude, and would hire Herman any time in a financial business partnership role in the future.

Recruited by CEO for North America and Board Member to orchestrate turnaround of CSM's largest operating company. Led all finance activities within $500MM manufacturing company with seven factories, including financial reporting, internal controls, financial analysis, budgeting, payroll, tax and insurance compliance, pricing, activity based costing and customer and product profitability reporting. Drove companywide strategic planning including introducing innovation and risk mitigation reporting. Report directly to CEO. Staff of 53, 7 direct reports and 46 indirect reports.

Promoted to global role, charged with elevating effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. Converted globally dispersed internal audit function from singular financial orientation to operational audit focus, providing key information to support overall strategic planning. Introduced co-sourced model of highly qualified internal auditors complemented with internal subject matter experts and outside contractors (KPMG). Elevated corporate governance. Reported directly to group CFO.

Promote from Controller to CFO of this new start up company. Directed financial function for $ 300 million start up distribution company with 14 branches. Oversaw six direct reports and 38 indirects, reporting directly to CEO. Collaborated with banks, insurance companies and advisors on building operating infrastructure. Led financial strategy to consolidate or dispose of branches to elevate profitability.

Advanced from Internal Auditor to Controller of company's newest US acquisition and oversaw all financial functions of a $100 million distribution company with 6 branches and led financial due diligence of several acquisitions with sales of $250 million to become BakeMark. Staff of 9, 3 direct reports and 6 indirect reports.

Managed all aspects various audit engagements including reporting risk management issues to management and headed the international expansion of internal audit. Seconded part time to the University of Amsterdam to teach Post Graduate courses and to mentor students writing their thesis.

Managed all aspects of various audit engagements both nationally as well referrals and participated in various due diligence investigations. Worked for two years in the New York office. Seconded part time to the University of Amsterdam to teach Post Graduate courses and to mentor students writing their thesis.