Walter Abreu

About Walter Abreu

Areas I Excel InI have had the distinct pleasure of contributing to the growth of a prominent food/CPG organization for the majority of my career. My broad experience spans across end-to-end supply chain logistics/strategy, warehouse operations, asset/inventory management, procurement/purchasing, transportation, and forecasting/planning for large food/CPG brands. I offer proven success launching/managing brand and all operations in Brazil and day-to-day domestic/international operations leadership. I have an innate ability to develop strategic plans, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing value-added programs to achieve short and long-term business objectives. I excel at ascertaining the vision and creating immediate impact, always seeking the most beneficial solutions for the company. I am a process driven professional who is adept at implementing standardized, repeatable best practices focused on improving efficiency and reducing costs while maintaining consistent brand standards. Utilizing my highly analytical and strong financial acumen, I am able to analyze, establish, and manage metrics, P&L, budgets, and forecasting. I have proven success driving positive change and centralization of functions through adoption of innovative business practices and methodical cost-effective solutions with continuous improvement plans that maximize productivity while enhancing quality and customer excellence.What Drives MeI focus on leading teams to execute daily tasks according to operational objectives. Builds a collaborative journey in a positive culture rooted in open communication, trust, empowerment, respect, and loyalty with a high level of integrity. I am a highly adaptable professional and agile leader able to respond and pivot quickly in fast-changing environments. My ability to rally and inspire cross functional teams seamlessly working through challenges to achieve common goals is unparalleled.

Experience

1. Senior Director, Global Procurement

   Del Monte Corporation

   Sep 2024 — Present · Coral Gables, FL, US

   Established procurement function as proactive strategic, value add business partner, which resulted in early engagement of the procurement function in new projects as of recognition of its value. Assumed responsibility for indirect spending oversight for Europe and Central America in 2023. Key contributor to transforming procurement policies, processes, and training across five divisions instilling a proactive/innovative culture committed to first-in-class, efficient customer service. Lead team of four direct reports with oversight of four additional staff globally, ensuring execution of daily tasks. Cultivate and maintain relationships with cross functional teams across organization to ensure alignment with goals. Manage $300M annual global spend across five continents for packaging materials, ingredients, resins, tinplate and agricultural plastics categories. Constantly ensure alignment with stringent organizational brand and standards. Identify and introduce new potential suppliers/vendors and develop solid relationships. Negotiate contract terms and pricing to revise/optimize mutually beneficial contracts. Conduct comprehensive data analysis to identify challenges, roadblocks, and areas for cost savings/risk mitigation within procurement. Present findings to executive leaders with recommended cost savings opportunities. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline business operations, reduce costs, and optimize organizational efficiency while maintaining first-in-class customer service and quality. Implement end-to-end strategies to advance the organizational procurement/supply chain practices. Develop and maintain procurement SOPs, ensure compliance to promote efficiency and business continuity. Formulate strategic long-term roadmap to reduce plastic, obtain packaging material suppliers certification and ESG work group status.

Education

• ESPM

  Marketing

  1991 — 1995

• Universidade Paulista

  Bachelor's degree, Business Administration and Management, General

  1992 — 1996

• Universidade de Fortaleza

  Graduate Coursework, Entrepreneurship

  2008 — 2009

• Universidade de Fortaleza

  Graduate Coursework, International Business/Trade/Commerce

  2000 — 2001

Skills

• Import
• Procurement
• Supply Management
• Forecasting
• Continuous Improvement
• Erp
• Logistics
• International Trade
• Inventory Management
• Supply Chain
• Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Fmcg
• Negotiation
• Purchasing
• Export
• Global Sourcing
• International Business
• Management