Mark Werner

About Mark Werner

Strategic Operations Executive | CPG Manufacturing | AI & Automation | SQF & HACCPI architect resilient, high-output manufacturing environments where advanced technology, regulatory discipline, and servant leadership intersect. With over 20 years of leadership experience, I have transitioned from managing global logistics for enterprise brands like US Foods and FedEx to spearheading the digital and operational transformation of the food manufacturing sector. As a former business owner, the core of my business leadership is always entrepreneurial in nature. Currently, as the General Manager of Operations at Frontier Soups, I am pioneering the integration of AI and automation into traditional CPG production. I don\'t just implement technology; I refine the logic behind it by utilizing Python, Java, and YAML to build custom maintenance tracking and several automated solutions that drive measurable increases in throughput.Core Pillars of My LeadershipPioneering AI & Industrial Automation: I specialize in \"inside the four walls\" transformations, replacing manual bottlenecks with repeatable, AI-driven production processes. My focus is on creating a future-proof facility where technology serves the operator.Aggressive Cost Reduction & Solution Refining: I am obsessed with finding \"hidden\" margins. I ensure that every operational tweak directly improves the bottom line.Servant Leadership & Team Development: I drive output by lifting up my team. I am a committed servant leader who utilizes bilingual feedback loops and individual coaching to transform high-stress production environments into collaborative, high-performing units.Regulatory Mastery (SQF & HACCP): I am SQF and HACCP qualified, fostering a positive food safety culture where compliance is a core operational strength. I anchor every efficiency gain in a proactive, OSHA-first safety environment.Mission-First Discipline: My foundation as a US Army EOD Veteran defines my executive presence: calm under pressure, obsessed with precision, and dedicated to the mission.Technical ExpertiseStrategic Technology: Claude/Gemini AI, Java, YAML, Python, SAP SME (Sales & Distribution/Material Movement), Azure AD, and Power BI.Operations & Finance: P&L Management (500% ROI Divestment), Process Re-engineering, Packaging Engineering, and Union CBA Management.I am driven by the pursuit of industrial excellence—proving that a modern manufacturing floor can be both highly automated and deeply human.

Experience

1. General Manager Operations

   Anderson House Frontier Soups

   Feb 2025 — Present · Gurnee, IL, US

   Pioneering AI & Industrial IntelligenceDigital Transformation: Pioneering the integration of AI-driven industrial intelligence into legacy CPG manufacturing by writing custom logic in Python, Java, and YAML to automate maintenance tracking and facility oversight.Automation Architecture: Designing and spearheading the transition to fully automated packaging and production lines to eliminate manual bottlenecks and exponentially scale plant throughput.Technological Refinement: Utilizing advanced AI platforms (Claude/Gemini) to refine operational processes and bridge the gap between traditional food production and modern, tech-enabled manufacturing and ERP integrations.Compliance, Safety & Risk MitigationRegulatory Leadership: Spearheading the facility\'s SQF and HACCP qualifications, fostering a positive food safety culture where regulatory excellence is an operational advantage.Governance & Defense: Managing high-level Prop 65 defense strategies and corporate compliance to protect brand integrity and mitigate legal and operational risk.Injury Reduction: Cultivating a proactive OSHA-first environment focused on injury reduction through data-driven workflow ergonomics and a culture of mutual accountability.Servant Leadership & Organizational GrowthPeople-First Development: Leading a diverse manufacturing team of 35+ employees through a servant leadership framework, prioritizing individual career coaching and technical upskilling.Bilingual Engagement: Developed and deployed bilingual (English/Spanish) production feedback loops and performance surveys to identify operational friction and drive floor morale.Fiscal Excellence: Refining CPG packaging solutions and logistics thresholds to protect company profitability and ensure long-term operational sustainability.

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Operations Management and Supervision

  1999 — 2003

Skills

• Purchasing
• Process Improvement
• Management
• Supply Chain
• Team Leadership
• Relationship Management
• Materials Management
• International Logistics
• Customer Service
• Procurement
• Mrp
• Transportation
• Distribution Center Operations
• Time Management
• Quality Assurance
• Personal Development
• Continuous Improvement
• Production Planning
• Business Process Improvement
• Warehouse Management
• Trucking
• Manufacturing
• Warehousing
• Analysis
• Creative Strategy
• Logistics Management
• Negotiation
• Logistics
• Training
• Transportation Management
• Budgets
• Inventory Management
• Inventory Control
• Operations Management
• Air Freight
• Supply Chain Management
• Process Scheduler
• Strategic Sourcing
• Shipping
• Supply Chain Optimization