Whole Brain Consulting Brings on Food Industry Operations Management Expert, Bobby Simmons
7/23/2018
A founder cannot grow a winning enterprise singlehandedly. However, almost every successful entrepreneur has built a flourishing company with great employees by his or her side. Reaching success requires a team of people. Passionate, determined and knowledgeable people.
To this end, Whole Brain Consulting has brought on co-manufacturing and operations management in the food industry expert Bobby Simmons. Find out why here.
Q: What is your role at Whole Brain Consulting?
A: My role at WBC is project management. Currently I’m responsible for managing end-to-end capital installations of food manufacturing lines. In addition to capital installations, I have deep experience with innovation launches, packaging conversions, continuous improvement initiatives and development of new programs and work systems.
Q: In your 30 years of experience, what did you learn about the food industry that Whole Brain Consulting clients may find surprising and useful?
A: What’s surprising is that nothing is surprising. While deployment technologies and tools may morph over the years, implementation of projects will always involve people. What is always challenging is harnessing the collective power of large teams and moving them toward an end goal as efficiently as possible.
Q: When overseeing 20+ co-manufacturers (while at Kashi), what did you learn about the co-manufacturing environment that you now use to aid Whole Brain Consulting clients?
A: Relationship management is key. Everybody is a client regardless of the organizational arrangement. When you toss in managing vendors for a client, dynamics get even more complex. Success is dependent on identifying needs, and making sure everyone’s particular needs are being met and met well.
Q: Can you tell us a little about a project you feel went particularly well?
A: I’m currently working with a client I know well. My prior experience within their four walls and the fact that I’ve provided these services in the past for them has made this an especially smooth project. There is no ramp up time or training necessary, which makes the process very efficient. Knowing the culture, organization and people makes it easier to be effective right out of the gate. I have extensive institutional knowledge, and it’s a pleasure to leverage that knowledge and see the way it benefits my clients.
Q: What do you think the future of operations management holds?
A: What the future of operations management hold is an abundance of opportunity. There are fewer and fewer graduates willing to pursue this field. This is a time of rapid technology growth changing the dynamics of how operations management is executed and the resulting efficiencies that cascade. Some experts describe the field as recession resilient; I’m the net beneficiary of this.
Looking to work with an operations management in the food industry expert like Bobby Simmons? Click on the Services link to see what we can do for you: