Jack O'Brien

Jack O'Brien Email and Phone Number

CEO
Jack O'Brien's Location
United Kingdom, United Kingdom
About Jack O'Brien

An experienced leader with MD/CEO expertise in the Food Industry, including Manufacturing, Retailing and Brand. Extensive contacts and a record of achievement in planning and overseeing the profitable organic and acquisitive growth of leading Food Groups. International experience.

Jack O'Brien's Current Company Details

CEO
Jack O'Brien Work Experience Details
  • Aquila
    Group Ceo
    Aquila Jan 2022 - Mar 2024
    London, England, United Kingdom
  • Uk Salads Limited
    Ceo
    Uk Salads Limited Mar 2021 - Apr 2022
  • Shazan Foods Limited
    Chief Executive Officer
    Shazan Foods Limited Sep 2017 - Nov 2019
    Suffolk
    Appointed by the Boparan Office to lead the business which supplies major retailers, food service, export and in store butcheries. Charged with transforming the business from a protein supplier to a leading consumer and category focused food business
  • 2Sfg - Pies & Puddings Division
    Managing Director
    2Sfg - Pies & Puddings Division Aug 2014 - Sep 2017
    Uk & Roi
    Appointed by 2 Sisters Food Group to lead the Pies and Puddings Division operating across the ambient, frozen and chilled food sectors - including the iconic Holland’s pie brand, Matthew Walker Christmas Pudding’s and a business in the ROI producing pastry for retail own label, Quorn and foodservice • Established, implemented and developed a rolling 3 year Brand & Category Strategy and Business Plan achieving category leading EBITDA across all three businesses • Used category insight and understanding to practicably drive sales and profit across multi-channels including Retail, Food Service, Convenience, Food To Go, Online, Van’s, Stadia, Discounters, Export and co-packing• Developed and nurtured a strong empowered business team with a supportive can do culture • Introduced a Fit For Future programme that continues to deliver genuine factory and supply chain savings whilst improving safety & guarding the intrinsic nature and quality of the product • Delivered a vigorous and innovative NPD programme underpinning the brand and own label strategy - with significant success’s including Guinness Pies & Pudding’s and multiple industry and retailer awards • Implemented a successful media strategy for Holland’s including national television and a vibrant online presence – punching well above the level of investment
  • Walter Holland'S
    Md
    Walter Holland'S 2012 - Aug 2014
  • Empire World Trade
    Ceo
    Empire World Trade 2009 - 2012
    Appointed by Vendors/ V.C. to enhance business performance and demonstrate leadership• Launched and embedded a Company Business Plan with key strategic and operational drivers delivering sustainable sales and profit growth• Developed the customer base across retail, discounters and food service - strongly growing Morrisons & Tesco and introduced Waitrose and Reynolds • Successfully restructured Balance Sheet with a Debt for Equity swap between all three parties• Renegotiated banking covenants to give long term financial security for the business• Redefined both Holding and Operational Boards to give new sense of purpose and direction
  • Vitacress
    Ned
    Vitacress 2008 - 2009
  • Wight Salads Group
    Ceo
    Wight Salads Group 2003 - 2009
    Appointed by the 4 partners to manage strategic business development, enhance links with key customers, establishment of business improvement plan, integration and change.• Negotiated a complex merger of the six companies variously owned by the partners.• Successfully converted the culture from producer led to customer/market focused.• Negotiated and opened a state of the art packhouse at zero cost, as a JV with DHL.• Achieved market leadership in organic tomatoes, with 60% market share. • Introduced culture change and established a policy of continuous improvement.• Negotiated a sale to RAR Group, a pan-European company with an exit plan for the 4 partners.• Dramatically strengthened the balance sheet by bringing in RAR as a new equity partner.• Increased t/o from £15m to £60m• Devised an innovative strategic plan to further increase t/o to £100m and profits of £10m pa.• Appointed as director of subsidiaries:-o Margaret Nurseries San Martin SA (based in Spain)o Horticilha Agro-Industria SL (based in Portugal)• Appointed as director of associated businesses:-o Freshlink Marketing Ltdo Wight Salads (Producer Organisation) Ltd
  • Grampian Country Food Group
    Director Of Purchasing
    Grampian Country Food Group 2002 - 2003
    Invited by the proprietor to establish enhanced purchasing department.• Evaluated existing systems• Designed and established new central buying team• Achieved and delivered cost savings of £6m• Identified further £10m of potential cost savings• Initiated novel approaches to e-commerce and e-auctions
  • Brightskies Ltd
    Chairman & Ceo
    Brightskies Ltd 2001 - 2002
  • Sainsbury'S
    Commercial Director
    Sainsbury'S 1999 - 2000
    Asked to take on this role after successful deliveries elsewhere in JS.• Implemented effective category management systems, reviewed on commercial terms• Designed and instigated “Big Ideas” scheme throughout the company• Identified key drivers to enhance customer purchases• Implemented innovative merchandising plan with higher margin ranges• Role extended from Chilled Convenience to include Frozen, Beers, Wines and Spirits, Grocery, Beverages and Snacks• Turnover increased in target areas by £8.7m, and profit increased by £6.1m
  • Sainsbury'S
    Md Savacentre Ltd
    Sainsbury'S 1997 - 1999
    Asked to review and improve this under-performing area of the business.• Built senior managers into new and highly effective team• Enhanced communications to reach all 12,000 staff• Initiated major culture change• Re-aligned duties of Board to direct and develop future business• Launched a “flagship” store, winning “Best New Store” award• Successfully completed integration plan in 18 months• Achieved immediate cost savings worth £10m pa• Implemented new Business Plan, improved profits and increased shareholder value• Created new customer service initiatives and delivered sales growth ahead of plan
  • Sainsbury'S
    Md Newmarket Foods
    Sainsbury'S 1996 - 1997
    Asked to review and improve this under-performing area of the business.• Initiated major culture change, led by re-invigorated management team• Improved communications with union-led workforce• Prepared novel Business Plan with top 15 managers• Benchmarked all aspects of customer care and delivered “Best in Class” improvements• Overcame challenges and organised a successful trade sale• Overturned losses of £8m into first year profit of £1m and plans to increase to £6m

Jack O'Brien Skills

Change Management Business Strategy Business Planning Team Leadership Innovation Communication Strategic Financial Planning Stakeholder Management Stakeholder Engagement Multi Channel Retail Start Ups Joint Ventures Procurement Supply Chain Management Management Strategy Retail Food Industry Haccp Fmcg Manufacturing Product Development Supply Chain Food Processing Food

Frequently Asked Questions about Jack O'Brien

What is Jack O'Brien's role at the current company?

Jack O'Brien's current role is CEO.

What skills is Jack O'Brien known for?

Jack O'Brien has skills like Change Management, Business Strategy, Business Planning, Team Leadership, Innovation, Communication, Strategic Financial Planning, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Multi Channel Retail, Start Ups, Joint Ventures.

Not the Jack O'Brien you were looking for?

Free Chrome Extension

Find emails, phones & company data instantly

Find verified emails from LinkedIn profiles
Get direct phone numbers & mobile contacts
Access company data & employee information
Works directly on LinkedIn - no copy/paste needed
Get Chrome Extension - Free

Aero Online

Your AI prospecting assistant

Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers

Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.