Rocco Papalia Email & Phone Number

Texas, United States

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Florissant, Colorado, United States

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Dallas, Texas

Prometheus Innovation provides consulting and other services in the areas of Innovation, Strategy, and Leadership primarily in Consumer Packaged Goods businesses.

San Francisco Ca

Recruited by PE ‘Blue Group’ comprised of KKR, Vestar Capital Partners, and Centerview Capital to accelerate growth through innovation and transformation; had executive leadership role in Del Monte’s spin-off to DMP, the $2.3B startup of Big Heart Pet Brands, and its ultimate sale to JM Smucker. Led all R&D and related functions for $2.3 Billion successor pet company of Del Monte Foods. Responsible for growth-driving innovation. Implemented most successful innovation in the category in 2014 which was key to enterprise valuation. As Officer and member of the Executive Team, guided successful enterprise acquisition by JM Smucker in February 2015. After transitioning out continue to consult for JMS on transition, R&D, and Innovation.

San Francisco Ca

Lead all R&D and related technical functions for $4.3 Billion, private equity held food and pet care company. Responsible for growth-driving innovation for $2 Billion dollar processed fruit and vegetable business unit and for $2.3 Billion pet food and snacks business. Appointed Officer by the Board in March of 2013. Del Monte is held privately by KKR, Centerview Partners, and Vestar Capital Partners. Helped sell $2 Billion processed fruit and vegetable business to Del Monte Pacific in February 2014.Provided oversight for R&D technical functions/innovation, including revamping R&D structure and bringing in new capabilities critical to ambitious agenda. Led development and launch of dozens of successful products, including Milk Bone Brushing Chews, which resulted in company’s first GMA “Most Innovative Product of the Year” and PMMI “Packaging Line of the Year” Awards.

Worldwide

Established PepsiCo’s first Advanced Research organization for the development and deployment of new processing and packaging technology; defined overall vision, strategy, structure, and priorities. Built and led 90-person team; secured/managed $50M+ budget. Drove key initiatives, including building PepsiCo Value Innovation Center in India, pioneering green packaging, creating technologies to streamline beverage manufacturing platforms, and establishing 5-10 year research horizon via PepsiCo’s first formal Research Foresights exercise.

North America

Led R&D, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition, and Regulatory Affairs for $13B snack food division. Managed 1500-person staff and $120 million operating budget. Drove first-year sales of $5.8B via development/launch of 200+ products, including Lay’s Stax, Baked Lay’s, and Tostitos Scoops. Spearheaded market-transforming quality programs that doubled share and reduced consumer complaints 50%, and eliminated 120 million pounds of trans fat and/or saturated fats with zero impact on taste by transitioning all Frito-Lay products to sunflower or corn oil.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Established global R&D function, PepsiCo’s first fully integrated global function with borderless collaboration that persists today. Oversaw 1500-person staff and $120M budget.Headed global development and commercialization of Stax and 3-Ds, as well as introduced Lay’s, Doritos, and Cheetos into China, India, Thailand, and Brazil markets. Managed innovation, quality, productivity, and product design for core brands. Steered 96-person staff and managed $25M annual budget; created and rolled out $35M+ in productivity programs.Drove product initiatives with 24-person team, including launch of “Better for You” revolution that resulted in peak sales of $600M with introduction of Baked Lay’s and Baked Tostitos. Initially joined as Group Manager of Potato Chips and later transitioned into New Products.

Started career as Process Engineer with rapid advancement through roles in support of various products/brands, including Pantene, Prell, Ivory, and Secret.