Rachael Wooden

Vice President NA Manufacturing Supply Chain

Professional Overview
Rachael Wooden is an accomplished supply chain executive with over 15 years of experience driving operational excellence and transformational change across the consumer goods and manufacturing industries. As the Vice President of NA Manufacturing Supply Chain at Mars, she is responsible for leading the strategic direction and optimization of the company's North American supply chain operations. With a strong background in lean manufacturing, process improvement, and global project management, Rachael has a proven track record of delivering sustainable business impact.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As the Vice President of NA Manufacturing Supply Chain at Mars, Rachael oversees the company's end-to-end supply chain operations across North America. In this role, she is responsible for driving operational efficiency, implementing advanced analytics and automation, and leading cross-functional teams to optimize supply chain performance. Under Rachael's leadership, the North American manufacturing supply chain has achieved significant improvements in productivity, inventory management, and customer service levels.

Career Progression
Prior to joining Mars, Rachael held various supply chain leadership roles at prominent consumer brands, including Nike, General Mills, and Kellogg Company. As the Sr Director of Global Manufacturing and Transformation at Nike, she led the implementation of lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies, resulting in a 20% increase in production capacity and a 15% reduction in manufacturing costs. Earlier in her career, Rachael served as a Plant Director and Global Zero Loss Culture Leader at General Mills, where she spearheaded initiatives that improved overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by 12% and reduced waste by 18%.

Academic Background
Rachael holds a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan, where she graduated with distinction. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with a focus on supply chain and operations management.

Areas of Expertise

• Supply chain optimization and transformation

• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement

• Global project management and cross-functional collaboration

• Advanced analytics and digital supply chain solutions

• Sustainable manufacturing and zero-loss culture

Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Rachael has played a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and transformational change within the consumer goods and manufacturing industries. Her leadership has resulted in measurable improvements in productivity, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. Rachael is also a respected thought leader in the supply chain space, regularly contributing to industry publications and speaking at conferences on topics such as Industry 4.0 and the future of manufacturing.

Conclusion
Rachael Wooden is a seasoned supply chain executive who has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver exceptional results across diverse organizations. With her deep industry expertise, innovative mindset, and collaborative leadership approach, Rachael is well-positioned to drive continued success for Mars and its customers in the North American market.