Robert S. Thornton

**** ******** *******, ******, ** 55318 -3214 612-***-**** accp9y@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Summary

Innovative leader and results oriented executive with unique strategic and tactical abilities. Extensive Supply Chain Management

experience in Distribution, Logistics, Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Customer Fulfillment, LEAN Manufacturing, S&OP,

Inventory Planning, P&L experience in General Management and Brand Management. Leverages organizational synergies, drives

process improvement, with focused organizational change to increase profitability. Builds key relationships within domestic and

international operations, union and non-union workplaces, key suppliers and customers. Expertise in multi-temperature, deli, grocery,

food & beverage, health & beauty, non-durables, manufacturing and change management.

Optimizes operational execution and productivity Builds high performance work teams

Drives strategic and tactical change Robotics, automation, RFID, and Scan Based Trading

LEAN focused/cost reduction, manages risk and KPI’s Divisional integrations, closures, mergers & acquisitions

Network improvements and inventory efficiencies MRP/MRO, ERP, WMS, WIS, TMS, OBS and Sourcing

Executive Performance

Four Points Consulting, Inc.

Vice President Oct 2006 - Present

Leading this supply chain services firm for Operations, Strategic Sourcing, Business Management, Technology, Distribution, Ocean

Cargo, Seafood, Meats, Grocery, Dairy, Bakery and Dry Goods. In retail, wholesale, military channels. Strengths in technological

improvements, startups/expansions, deli meats, deli cheeses and sushi operations. Driving strategic and tactical change.

Supply Chain Projects for clients such as Plumrose USA.

Distribution services and cost management projects

Transportation, TMS and WMS initiatives

Inventory management and cost improvements

Executed successful vendor qualifications and pricing negotiations for a national provider of 72 Deli and Bakery sites.

Improved fill rates and on time delivery

Distribution network planning and improved military channel fulfillment

Network planning, seasonality, and third party distribution projects

Developed RFPs, RFQs, MROs and new vendor/product qualification processes

Developed domestic and international operations for Global Fresh Foods, a venture funded start-up. Client offers unique,

patent-pending, controlled atmosphere packaging technology service, providing a fresh all natural supply chain for seafood, via

land/ocean cargo, attaining 30-day shelf life, without airfreight cost. Economically distinct, sustainable, and reduced carbon

footprint. (Mentioned in Business Week).

Established Rates & Services, and launched container shipment program

Built an Operational Team, set Organizational Goals, and developed SCM Processes

Achieved operational goals set under venture capital tranche funding requirements

Shipment channels between Chile, Norway, Germany and U.S. customers

Operated multi-temperature client distribution during a major transition and network realignment. Effectively managed diverse

workforce to improve customer service, build team focus, improve labor metrics, curtail returns, and reduce damages.

Improved inventory management, reduced distressed, improved order fill and completeness rates 15%

Reduced short code incidences by improved inventory rotation and risk visibility

Labor productivity improved 17%, procurement costs improved, and excess overtime was reduced 32%

Implemented a distribution network program, engaged new vendors for DoD contractor awarded additional contracts/sites.

Expanded product lines, increased margins and sales. SCM projects in WA. AK, CA, HI, TX, VA. NE, IL, and MN.

Set up new operations, conducted real estate negotiations, in a wide range of temperature controlled channels for Seafood, Beef,

Pork, fresh and frozen Poultry, Produce and Dry Grocery segments.

Performed supply chain management project for hard goods client in IA, KS, MO, and NE.

2005 – Oct 2006

Nash Finch Company, Inc.

Vice President - Distribution & Logistics

Responsible for supply chain operations for this second largest public traded U.S. $4.5B food distributor. Operated network of 14

Distribution Centers. Distributed to 36 states, and Puerto Rico. Serviced 2,156 independently operated customer stores, 62 company

owned stores, and wholesale clients. Products included Frozen Foods, Dairy, Deli Meats & Cheese, Packaged Refrigerated Foods,

Produce, Health & Beauty, and General Merchandise. Direct reports included four Senior Directors: (3) Regional Operations, (1)

Transportation; Inventory Manager, General Manager-GTL Fleet, Manager Industrial Engineering, WMS Systems Leader, and

Quality Assurance Manager.

Responsible for distribution operations totaling 5.6 Million square feet, and private fleet of 341 tractors and 650 trailers

Hired to target $12MM in long term synergies and improve business area costs

Reduced costs additional 5% through network restructuring and an additional 9% with consolidation of service centers

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Schwan’s Consumer Brands NA, Inc. 2002 - 2005

Vice President - Supply Chain & Logistics

Responsible for supply chain at this $3.5B privately held frozen food manufacturing and direct distribution company. Brands included

Brick Oven, Freschetta, Red Baron, Tony’s Pizza, Pagoda, Minh Appetizers, Schwan's Ice Cream, Larry’s Potatoes, Mrs. Smith’s Pies,

Edward’s and Heidi’s desserts. Service channels: Home Delivery, Warehouse, Retail, Food Service, Club, Military and DSD.

Centralized and improved product planning, S&OP, inventory control, order management, strategic deployments, transportation,

facility management, and total network optimization. Direct reports included Director of DSD, Senior Manager Demand Planning,

Project Managers, Fleet Manager, Scan Based Trading Inventory Team, and Supply Chain Systems (Technology) Manager. Serviced

29,000 DSD and Wholesale customers.

Repositioned and reorganized production planning, inventory control and Scan Based Trading to reduce costs $538K annually

Reduced fixed costs additional 7% by consolidating facilities, and process improvement that decreased inventories 19%

Moved from owned fleet to leased, gained $488K, plus gains from one time sale of assets

Improved cost per case metrics an additional 8%, while consolidating from 241 locations to 183

Launched three best of class “Customer Operating Centers” that centralized and streamlined operations with less labor

Vice President of Logistics

Directed logistics for 241 branch service locations, Direct Store Delivery and Warehouse Distribution for Schwan’s Consumer Brands,

North America. Modernized fleet, streamlined organizational roles and responsibilities.

Delivered a 16% improvement in costs per case

Attained improvements in performance, and exceeded business unit goals

Performed network study evaluating costs, services, and leveraging of vendor and client relationships

Improved inventory to sales ratio 18%

Reduced unsellable returns 33.8% and sellable returns 16 %

ConAgra, Inc. 1977 - 2002

A $27 Billion diversified conglomerate based in Omaha, NE. Consumer brands included Healthy Choice, Hunt’s, Wesson, Banquet,

Armour, Blue Bonnet, Butterball, Swift Premium, Brown N Serve, Cook’s, Oldham ’s, Peter Eckrich, Hebrew National, County Line,

Treasure Cave, Pauly, Redi Whip, Wesson, Hunts, Egg Beaters, Orville Redenbacher, Act II, Trident Seafood, and Bumble Bee.

Vice President-GM – Panama

Responsible for sales, marketing, manufacturing plant, and distribution for Swift & Company International – Panama, reporting to U.S.

based EVP, ConAgra Foods International.

Increased sales 6% and expanded DSD route capacities 25%

Reduced COGS 11% through efficiencies and outsourcing of production to local co -packer

Established a new distribution center in the Panama Canal Trade Zone, which improved service rates to 99.1% at lower cost

Vice President, Supply Chain

Lead executive for multi temperature supply chain initiatives across independent operating companies (IOC’s). Responsible for quick

impact projects supporting businesses re-engineering, organizational restructuring, and improving combined strategic sourcing results.

Selected and implemented key best in class technologies (SAP, Exceed, Logility, Red Prairie, and Manugistics). Improved order

cycles, inventory utilization, key performance indicators (KPI’s), and customer satisfaction.

Achieved $24MM in total distribution savings, from lane consolidations, load optimization, and leveraged procurement

Directed development and implementation of TMS and WMS projects, delivering $3.2MM additional savings

Built a superior work team, and increased group capabilities for accomplishing mergers and acquisition integrations.

Saved $2.7MM in variable costs and reduced fixed operating costs $700K

Improved customer service from 97.4% to 99.4%

Vice President, Logistics, Distribution and Transportation

Directed logistics, customer service, order entry, inventory control, DRP, MRP, transportation and distribution/warehouse operations,

fleet operations, 3PL logistics, purchasing, freight, small package and asset management. Developed Core Carrier System (CCS) to

centralize rate controls and improve service delivery for all IOC’s. Led turnaround team to integrate and improve the Butterball

business (service/cost/inventory management issues). CEO appointed representative for a complex US Bankruptcy/Trustee liquidation.

Improved inventory planning order fill to 99.2%, on-time delivery to 98.4% on multiple-stop routes

Consolidated 32 Direct Store Delivery inventory planning functions to centralized planning, reducing fixed costs $300K

Reduced working capital $1.2MM per year, while earning WalMart Vendor of the Year

Education

MBA, Marketing, Benedictine University BBA, Biology, Southern Illinois University

Personal

English, Spanish, and basic German

F.A.A. Rated Pilot (SEL, MEL & IFR), HOA President, Northstar Sportsmen’s Club

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