Launch || Scale || OptimizeCritical Mass Supply Chain builds and implements strategies that bring new products to market, scales brands to new markets and optimizes existing supply chains. The Critical Mass Supply Chain Team is committed to developing a supply chain strategy, executing tactical supply chain activities and resolving unexpected supply chain challenges. We've run consumer hard goods, snacks and we specialize in beverage.

TOSSWARE is the shatterproof, crystal clear drinkware of choice for any location and occasion. Made of BPA-free recycled PET polymer, TOSSWARE'S high quality look, feel and performance coupled with an aggressive price point deliver the value that all beverage consumers are looking for.

Outrigger Strategy’s expertise is driven from Rob Alshuler’s 20+ years in the food, beverage and consumer goods space seizing complex operational, supply chain and business development opportunities. Outrigger Strategy has built a solid track record of delivering on-time and on-budget solutions in the following environments:>Strategic Planning Launch and Business Development for TOSSWARE, the premier supplier of upscale disposable drinkware>Strategic Planning, Launch and Operational/Supply Chain Scale Up for ARYA, a line of food and beverage products based on curcumin>Strategic planning, supply chain optimization, contract manufacturer management, organizational restructuring and leadership development for the premier E-Liquid brand family in the US, growing over 1000% in three years>Supply Chain and Operations optimization for a $40M global flavor and ingredients manufacturer resulting in improved internal visibility, communication, external supplier and customer collaboration and more satisfied clients, resulting in a strategic sale in 2015>Audit Organizational Structure for a $15M baby products manufacturer and built resource plan and company structure for optimal growth over 18 months; analyzed current workflow and recommended changes to meet company objectives>Rebuilt Commercial Sales Process at $100M services company resulting in 19% annual growth, 3 times faster than trailing 5 years; built business intelligence interface, revised data, reporting and accountability processes, providing structure and efficiency; executed Performance Management improvements by overhauling goals, metrics, compensation program and performance expectations, resulting in a strategic sale>Contract Manufacturing Network Analysis & New Supplier Qualification>Injection Mold & Blow Mold Advisory Services>Launch & Scale Up Advisory Services for Beverage & Food Start Ups>Training, Coaching & Skills Development

Reporting to President/CEO and a member of the Executive Board, instrumental in the explosive growth over the last decade, having directly managed or been intimately involved with every aspect of the business. Built, developed &managed a Sourcing team of 8 professionals overseeing a $XXXM+ budget that exceeded customer service levels & beat cost savings targets while navigating 30%+ annual growthProcured $2B in critical packaging & ingredient raw materials, drove $XXXM in cost savings in PET, HDPE, shrink film, labels, corrugated & ingredientsBuilt a high performing global raw material supply chain that delivered the lowest total cost of ownership in the world for bottled waterPET & PE purchasing expert with an impressive track record of market-beating performance, delivering $XXM in savingsExecuted packaging innovation and optimization across resin, film and corrugated substrates saving over $XXM over the last 5 yearsExpert negotiator able to extract the short-term concessions needed but excels at building long-term supplier partnerships vital for sustained successFostered a purchasing culture where total cost of ownership and data drove critical decisions and attention to detail, personal accountability and the ability to probe & question drove successLed product development and execution across a variety of beverage categories including hot fill, cold fill, juice drinks and teasDirected a large, diverse & cost effective copacker network handling a variety of beverage products and pack configurations Built and enhanced raw material replenishment process, driving optimal inventory levelsDissected vertical integration opportunities across key raw material categories (resins, closures, preforms, shrink film, labels, corrugated, stretch film), delivered recommendations & execution plans to the BoardFocused Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) on flawless customer startups and increased speed to market, increasing profit $XM over the last 2 years

Reporting to the President/CEO, grew & maintained key national accounts including 5 of the top 7 retailers/club stores, representing 61% of overall revenue, directing 2 Sales & 4 Sourcing personnel.Built marketing programs and promotions at the wholesale & retail levels focused on building brand awareness and driving case sales. Developed initial relationships & built lasting partnerships with key national accounts Costco, Kroger, Albertsons & Safeway.Exceeded aggressive revenue & case sales goals 92% of the months responsibleNegotiated pricing & contracts with world-class and industry leading vendors from several continents for all core raw materials. Maintained an aggressive approach to packaging while providing Production Team with the tools to achieve high line efficiencies & maximum throughput Developed a new PET bottle design with engineering team that reduced cost 35% while increasing bottle performance.Focused effort on labeling materials & technology to reduce #1 driver of throughput loss by 30%Direct supervision of Inventory Manager, responsible for optimal FG/RM inventory levels, effective space utilization, plant cleanliness, audit preparation, cleanliness & inventory tracking.Implemented scrap tracking & reduction program that reduced lost revenue by 60%.Work with vendor-partners & customers to shorten speed-to-market by more efficiently managing customers’ immediate and long-term needs and delivery schedules.

Reporting to the President/CEO, managed all operations related to Niagara’s Ontario, California facility, directing 65 personnelDrove plant, personnel and bottling line efficiency on a daily basis utilizing performance metrics & the implementation of best manufacturing practices in a safe work environmentDeveloped short and long-term raw material procurement and supply chain strategies, and implemented purchasing processes that delivered a substantial and sustainable competitive advantageImplemented Inventory Tracking System reducing scrap by 40% and saving $5M over 3 yearsDrove Supply Chain and Transportation team execution ensuring high customer service levels while beating cost targetsDrove Strategic Planning team and optimized micro-level production schedule to meet customer demand and profit targetsImplemented improved internal system for tracking production, scheduling, & raw materials and the integration of internal systems with existing software platform to create proprietary IT solutionLed IT team strategy to support the needs of a rapidly growing organization, and drove efficiency and automation through the calculated integration of information technologyDelivered 64% reduction in raw material inventory over 3 years with zero service failuresImplemented and managed safety programs for production employees decreasing OIR by 30%

Reporting to the General Manager, managed and grew key national accounts for a start-up PCB materials supply distributorManaged 15 sales representatives at 11 branch offices around the USDeveloped key vendor-partner relationships that increased sales from scratch to $3M, gross profit from 18% to 27% and added new revenue streams