Christopher Erklenz

About Christopher Erklenz

Multi-Cultural Team Leader | P&L Owner | Operational Excellence | Digital Transformation Member of Strategic Committee | Trusted Board Advisor | DE & I and CSR Advocate | US Army Veteran Richly blending operations management and supply chain acumen, along with insightful analytical and problem solving skills, I possess over three decades of experience across food distribution, nutrition, manufacturing, and logistics for some of the largest companies in the specialty, natural and organic food industry. As a pivotal member of executive leadership team and multiple strategic committees, I offer skilled industry perspective on growth planning, as well as supply chain, operational and supplier management trends. Moreover, I provide fiscal stewardship to the organization, guiding on key matters of investments. At SRP Companies, I manage board presentations on initiatives and strategy after acquisition by Aurora Capital Partners. As an investment committee member at DPI Specialty Foods, I helped the board decision-making process and made investment recommendations on aspects of systems upgrade and modernization, facility expansion, team building, etc. Serving as Whole Foods Adhoc Committee member on Ecommerce, I recommended strategies to optimize e-commerce service deliveries, including advising Board on issues related to supply chain operations, logistics and warehousing. My expertise in driving operations, process and service excellence is second to none – I mature supply chains, maximize supplier performances, as well as catalyze continuous improvement with lasting results. Most importantly, I maintain operational standards through systems, processes, and protocols that save time, reduce costs, and improve efficiencies. To boost bottom lines, I designed robust, scalable supply infrastructures with the heft and reliability to support fast-paced growth. Furthermore, I supported organization during growth phases by leveraging extensive experience in inventory planning & replenishment (IPAR), warehouse operations, logistics, master data management and supplier management. As a culturally sensitive value driver, I embody respect, integrity, trust, teamwork, expertise, and people development as key ingredients to business success. I employ an empowering, participatory management style that breeds accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement, and that promotes diversity, equity & inclusion, good governance practices, as well as corporate social responsibility across the organization.

Experience

1. Vice President Operations & Supply Chain

   Arbor Investments

   Jun 2025 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

Education

• Community College of Denver

  Management - Computer Science

  1989 — 1991

• Nazareth College

  Computer Science

  1987 — 1988

Skills

• Food & Beverage
• Pricing Strategy
• P&L Management
• Consumer Products
• Operations Management
• Inventory Management
• Food
• Account Management
• Grocery
• P&L
• Pricing
• Retail
• Key Account Development
• Income Statement
• Team Building
• Management
• Strategic Planning
• Forecasting
• Supply Chain
• P
• Sales Management
• Purchasing
• Supply Chain Management