Caleb Stephen Cargle

adhvuh@r.postjobfree.com • Scottsdale, AZ 85260 • 704-***-****

An accomplished purpose-driven leader with proven success in creating, growing, and selling an organic foods business to a Fortune 500 organization. As co-founder I was responsible for developing and managing all parts of the business including: R&D, legal, regulatory compliance, production, marketing, sales, distribution, logistics, accounting, and finance. As a pioneer in a burgeoning industry with very specific production needs, I was required to design, engineer, build, and scale a state of the art high-tech production facility in Northern California while also leaning on regional co-packers in order to meet national customer demand. The holistic experience of producing organic foods from scratch, from the land and machinery required for production and storage of the physical asset to the logistics of transferring the product to the customers hands safety and without compromise, was an invaluable experience and lesson in the complexities, strengths, and vulnerabilities of our food system. In addition to plant design and process engineering experience, I have a demonstrated track record for developing a comprehensive Food Safety Plan (including HACCP) from scratch as well as knowledge and experience registering and maintaining 3rd party certifications. Furthermore, I have definitive experience preparing for and managing 3rd party food safety audits as required by governing bodies or as requested by our customers. I think my hands on experience in all aspects of the food and beverage business allows me to engage in authentic relationships with key partners, vendors, and clients which ultimately fosters trust, innovation, and opportunities for growth. Director of Operations, Clearly Kombucha LLC San Francisco, CA 2018 to 2020 Facilitated the transition of intellectual property from Top Shelf Beverages Inc to Clearly Kombucha LLC (Clearly Kombucha joined Molson Coors’ U.S. business, MillerCoors, as part of its craft and specialty unit called Tenth and Blake). Spearheaded the development of new categories of beverage including high alcohol kombucha, probiotic seltzer, shelf stable kombucha, and fermented botanicals.

• Led production in first international launch of Clearly Kombucha into Canada via shipping direct to Costco.

• Reduced costs, maximized efficiency, and ensured continual improvement of operations by sourcing, evaluating, and managing all supplier relationships from packaging and ingredients to new equipment and machinery.

• Successfully completed the following food safety courses: FSPCA Preventative Controls for Human Food and BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 8. Executive Profile

• Account Management

• Process Improvement

• Sales Channel Management

• Business Development

• Contract Negotiation

• Performance Improvement

• Team Leadership

• Finance & Accounting

• Sales & Distribution Management

Career Experience

Caleb Stephen Cargle

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• Achieved shelf stability via continuous process design improvement and repeatable 3rd party verifiable results.

• Expanded production facility footprint by 300% including sourcing and installing back up generators Co-Founder, Top Shelf Beverages Inc. (DBA Clearly Kombucha) San Francisco, CA 2009 to 2018 Manage and streamline finance and accounting activities, such as developing and maintaining cash flow forecasts and financial models as well as directing all aspects of investor decks and presentations. Maintain and expand natural and conventional sales channels through direct management of an in-house sales team, regional brokers, and national brokers. Draft, negotiate, and execute all supplier contracts. Continually increase Food Safety knowledge while obtaining organic, non-gmo, gluten-free, kosher, vegan, and fair trade certifications.

• Established and grew the company from scratch to more than 2000 accounts by developing a hybrid distribution network that allowed the customer to bring the product into their stores via their preferred method. Retailers could chose to have the product delivered via warehouse distributors, DSD, or direct. The flexibility in our distribution network allowed us to have a competitive price on shelf while keeping the retailer relationship and retailer margins healthy.

• Designed and built the first fully scaled kombucha production facility capable of delivering a consistent product that also met all regulatory standards for non-alcoholic beverages.

• Optimized business performance by tailoring distribution to more than 2K accounts across thirty-seven states, including Safeway, Kroger, Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Natural Grocers, PCC, and Ingles through development of a hybrid distribution system. Graduate School of Business Stanford University

Marketing & Organizational Behavior Research Assistant & TA 2007-2009

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School; Wachovia Excellence in Organizational Management Award 2003-2007

Research

Education