Kirk Jensen

Kirk Jensen Email and Phone Number

Chief Operating Officer at The Honest Kitchen @ The Honest Kitchen
san diego, california, united states
Kirk Jensen's Location
Charlotte Metro, United States
About Kirk Jensen

As a senior leader with extensive COO, CSCO, and GM expertise in the packaged foods manufacturing/distribution sector, I have played an instrumental role in 3 successful multibillion-dollar exits, each yielding double-digit EBITDA multiples. With expertise managing both emerging and mature brands, I have successfully launched new products, rationalized and simplified portfolios, implemented disciplined operating/supply chain models, provided P&L stewardship, leveraged technology to maximize productivity/safety, nurtured strategic partnerships, and identified key talent to fuel multimillion-dollar revenue increases, margin improvements, and cost reductions. As a member of the executive leadership team (ELT), I routinely present strategic plans and financial results to public company boards, investors, and analysts. Following my significant leadership involvement in the recent historic acquisition of industry disruptor Sovos Brands by Campbell’s, I look forward to engaging with another evolving FMCPG brand as the CEO to expand/optimize the product portfolio, build equity, and lead an eventual exit.

Kirk Jensen's Current Company Details
The Honest Kitchen

The Honest Kitchen

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Chief Operating Officer at The Honest Kitchen
san diego, california, united states
Employees:
53
Kirk Jensen Work Experience Details
  • The Honest Kitchen
    Chief Operating Officer
    The Honest Kitchen Jun 2024 - Present
    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • Sovos Brands
    Chief Operating Officer, 2022–3/2024 | Chief Supply Chain Officer, 2018–2022
    Sovos Brands May 2018 - Mar 2024
    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
    Key member of team that built one of the fastest growing food companies of scale. Held annual planning accountability for >50% of GS business encompassing all strategy (including M&A due diligence), operational planning, finance, product design (from R&D to commercialization), quality control, forecasting, and supply chain management (demand/supply planning, procurement, food safety, quality, regulatory, engineering, internal and external manufacturing, warehouse operations, customer… Show more Key member of team that built one of the fastest growing food companies of scale. Held annual planning accountability for >50% of GS business encompassing all strategy (including M&A due diligence), operational planning, finance, product design (from R&D to commercialization), quality control, forecasting, and supply chain management (demand/supply planning, procurement, food safety, quality, regulatory, engineering, internal and external manufacturing, warehouse operations, customer delivery, and customer service), as well as IT oversight. Lead business partner for all brands through GM operating model. Met with customers, including Costco, Walmart, and Target, ensuring distribution gains and retailer confidence. Member, ELT/Ops Steering Committee. Presented at all board meetings. Reported to CEO. Staff: 550+★ Built operational, supply chain, and talent strategy to drive double-digit growth and fuel 2021 IPO ($12 per share) and 2024 $2.7B sale (92% stock increase) to Campbell’s; recognized as a top-3 food industry deal with 19.8 multiple of EBITDA.►Negotiated unique long-term contract and expansion strategy for Rao’s sauce that was key to driving ~7-fold capacity/4x sales increase.-Met business plan goals 3+ years ahead of schedule; accelerated brand recognition/equity exponentially.-Achieved extraordinary order fulfillment throughout pandemic.-Added hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue by expanding to new categories outside core sauce.►Improved frozen foods business (acquired 2017) sales by 87.5% and EBITDA by 400% while reducing costs by millions of dollars by overhauling/modernizing plant infrastructure.-Simplified portfolio, yielding 3x boost in operating profit. -Enhanced safety accountability, achieving world-class safety recognition.-Made critical infrastructure investments.-Introduced IT/automation to reduce labor costs and waste and mitigate risk.-Implemented digital processes for monitoring and incentivizing employee performance Show less
  • Snyder'S-Lance, Inc.
    Chief Supply Chain Officer, 2017–2018 | Svp, Manufacturing, 2016–2017
    Snyder'S-Lance, Inc. Apr 2016 - Apr 2018
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    As CSCO of the second largest salty snack food manufacturer in the US, oversaw nationwide full lifecycle supply chain operation from materials and ingredients purchase to fulfillment across 12 manufacturing locations, 115 warehouses, and 70-tractor private fleet. Implemented lowest landed cost models and daily management system to optimize performance of manufacturing network. At peak, oversaw $1B+ budget and staff of 7 direct reports/3,000 team members. ★ Realized double-digit growth… Show more As CSCO of the second largest salty snack food manufacturer in the US, oversaw nationwide full lifecycle supply chain operation from materials and ingredients purchase to fulfillment across 12 manufacturing locations, 115 warehouses, and 70-tractor private fleet. Implemented lowest landed cost models and daily management system to optimize performance of manufacturing network. At peak, oversaw $1B+ budget and staff of 7 direct reports/3,000 team members. ★ Realized double-digit growth by rationalizing portfolio and eliminating manufacturing complexity and waste, facilitating strong market positioning and subsequent $6.1B sale to Campbell’s (19.9 EBITDA multiple) in 2018. ►Following acquisition of Kettle Brand Chip, built TD (Total Delivery Cost) scorecards to optimize synergies across plants and seamlessly harmonize ingredients across product lines resulting in tens of millions of dollars in cost savings and 100% consumer retention. ►Negotiated a favorable contract with an automation vendor despite challenging non-compete clause.►Led analysis to optimize warehouse that was projected to reduce costs by 10%.►Introduced end-to-end planning improvements, reducing cases cut by 1M in first months with expectation to deliver multimillion-dollar decrease in stales or damage. Show less
  • Diamond Foods, Inc.
    Svp/Senior Director Operations, 2012–2016 | Director, Process Improvement, 2010–2012
    Diamond Foods, Inc. Jul 2013 - Mar 2016
    Lake Oswego, Or
    For this nuts and snacks packaged food division of Snyder-Lance, directed nationwide manufacturing, engineering, quality, and food safety practices and processes for 3 plants and co-packers. Involved in all aspects of procurement, demand planning, cost, quality, people safety, food safety engineering, warehousing, logistics, and customer service. Accountable for tens of millions of dollars in Capex spend. Staff: 7 direct reports/1,200 employees at peak.★ Played key role in developing… Show more For this nuts and snacks packaged food division of Snyder-Lance, directed nationwide manufacturing, engineering, quality, and food safety practices and processes for 3 plants and co-packers. Involved in all aspects of procurement, demand planning, cost, quality, people safety, food safety engineering, warehousing, logistics, and customer service. Accountable for tens of millions of dollars in Capex spend. Staff: 7 direct reports/1,200 employees at peak.★ Played key role in developing business transformation strategy resulting in record-breaking sales growth and multimillion-dollar cost savings that was instrumental in the 2015 sale to Snyder-Lance for $1.27B (15.7 EBITDA multiple).►Identified millions of dollars in materials, ingredients, labor, downtime, and overhead savings (50% above target) through a zero-based approach to spend.►Built strategic sourcing program resulting in more competitive pricing, double-digit sales growth, and 60% CX improvement. ►Delivered multimillion-dollar cost reduction while simultaneously achieving significant capacity increase by developing weekly scorecard reviews and sharing best practices across safety, product quality, case fill rates, productivity, and cost containment. Show less
  • Darigold
    Site Production Manager
    Darigold Jul 2009 - Dec 2010
    Sunnyside, Wa
    Held P&L accountability for production at 2 of this $2.3B dairy agricultural marketing cooperative’s largest plants packaging 175M pounds of cheese and 120M pounds of sweet whey annually, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues. Staff: 2 direct reports and 138 employees.★ Delivered 6% reduction in off-specification product to sales, 2% increase in volume, and 25% decrease in TIR, while reducing total operating costs by nearly 3%.►Led development and… Show more Held P&L accountability for production at 2 of this $2.3B dairy agricultural marketing cooperative’s largest plants packaging 175M pounds of cheese and 120M pounds of sweet whey annually, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues. Staff: 2 direct reports and 138 employees.★ Delivered 6% reduction in off-specification product to sales, 2% increase in volume, and 25% decrease in TIR, while reducing total operating costs by nearly 3%.►Led development and implementation of score-carding and process control checklists, as well as cost controls through individual ownership for each account on GL.►Co-led cost-per-unit tracking strategy to effectively manage costs with variations in volume. Show less
  • Mountain Lake Homes Inc
    Owner
    Mountain Lake Homes Inc Jul 2005 - Jul 2009
    Vancouver, Wa
    Partnered with Stonecreek Development, LLC home building company. Constructed the most successful subdivision in Stonecreek’s history.
  • Frito-Lay
    Manufacturing
    Frito-Lay Jun 1996 - Jul 2005
    Vancouver, Wa
    Progressed from Intern to member of plant senior management team in 8 years. As Plant Controller, responsible for large manufacturing/operations site, led monthly financial analysis/forecasting, and set strategy for cost reductions, customer satisfaction, supply chain management, and employee safety. At peak, managed 600 employees.►As Plant Controller, achieved multimillion-dollar direct conversion cost reductions in 3 years and trimmed injury frequency, lost time injuries, and workers’… Show more Progressed from Intern to member of plant senior management team in 8 years. As Plant Controller, responsible for large manufacturing/operations site, led monthly financial analysis/forecasting, and set strategy for cost reductions, customer satisfaction, supply chain management, and employee safety. At peak, managed 600 employees.►As Plant Controller, achieved multimillion-dollar direct conversion cost reductions in 3 years and trimmed injury frequency, lost time injuries, and workers’ compensation claims by 49%, 79%, and 57%, respectively.►As Corn Plant Manager, decreased annual production and packaging costs significantly and improved quality by 30%.►As Engineering Project Manager, improved Doritos Product Quality Monitoring score from #23 out of 27 plants to #3 nationally and developed a continuous oil spray system that became a company best practice. Show less

Kirk Jensen Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Kirk Jensen

What company does Kirk Jensen work for?

Kirk Jensen works for The Honest Kitchen

What is Kirk Jensen's role at the current company?

Kirk Jensen's current role is Chief Operating Officer at The Honest Kitchen.

What schools did Kirk Jensen attend?

Kirk Jensen attended Oregon State University.

Who are Kirk Jensen's colleagues?

Kirk Jensen's colleagues are Charlie Postins, Muna Mona, Zach Wilmott, Angie Quintana, Giovonni White, Jessica Brunda, Bilal Khan.

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