Jenny Drake

About Jenny Drake

Energetic and driven executive with broad successes across the strategy-to-delivery lifecycle, from concept to business results. Optimize operations and resources via function, KPI, technology, and process integration. Accelerate growth and innovation by leveraging data-driven insights and agility methods. Drive lasting change by directing large-scale digital transformations. Broad success in developing and executing plans in complex, fast-paced, competitive, regulated manufacturing environments. Elevate performance and outcomes by applying advanced operational expertise to overcome complex challenges and resource constraints. Lead turnaround of underachieving teams via decisive, fast improvements to people, processes, and tools. Organized, creative problem-solver excelling at managing high-performing, diverse work teams through challenging, agile projects. Advises executives and board with pioneering, fresh ideas for growth and efficiency.Qualifications: • 9+ years leading operations strategy at Grande Cheese and 24+ years leading digital transformation. • Advise CEO and executives on strategy, value, development, products, services, and markets as executive team member. • Maintain ~100% fill rate despite significant demand increases and mix changes for diverse products when facing significant challenges and limited resources via superior operational competence. • Enhanced food processing revenue & cost insights and plans by linking Manufacturing Execution System MES to ERP tools. • Improved production efficiency and costs by boosting training, lean manufacturing, and Kaizen methods. • Researched, planned, and executed Microsoft Dynamics 365 & Tableau cloud-based business intelligence, CRM & ERP tools. • Master of Science MS, Organizational Development, Marian University of Fond du Lac

Experience

1. Senior Vice President Operations

   Grande Cheese Company

   May 2022 — Present · Fond du Lac, WI, US

   Advise CEO and executives on strategy, value, development, products, services, and markets as executive team member. • Lead, evaluate, develop, and retain managers overseeing FTE staff and simplifying decision-making. • Drive efficient, sustained growth via achieving short-term production targets and long-term value creation. • Lead engineering, operations, and cross-functional teams to execute growth & innovation strategies. • Leverage market insights and emerging technologies to boost production quality, productivity, and competitive position. • Oversee end-to-end supply chain, inventory, manufacturing, and fulfillment, ensuring efficient, continuous improvement. Select Achievements • Maintain ~100% fill rate despite significant demand increases and mix changes for diverse products when facing significant challenges and limited resources via superior operational competence. • Enhanced food processing revenue & cost insights and plans by linking Manufacturing Execution System MES to ERP tools. • Improved production efficiency and costs by boosting training, lean manufacturing, and Kaizen methods. • Controlled costs to match inflation and recordable safety incidents below industry rates. • Increased on-time loading, delivery, and preventative maintenance.

Education

• University of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Education

  Advanced Management Program

  2018 — 2019

• Marian University of Fond du Lac

  Master of Science - MS, Organizational Development

  2003

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Certificate, Project Management

  2009 — 2009

• Marian University of Fond du Lac

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Information Technology

  1995 — 2000

Skills

• Process Improvement
• Change Management
• Business Intelligence
• Windows Server
• Budgets
• Leadership
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Customer Service
• Security
• Training
• Business Analysis
• Inventory Management
• Team Building
• Project Management
• Microsoft Office
• Strategic Planning
• Forecasting
• Troubleshooting
• Software Documentation
• Analysis
• Networking
• Information Technology