Jon Nelson
About Jon Nelson
Jon Nelson serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Beyond Meat, bringing extensive experience in operations management and strategic planning. His background includes leadership roles at Pactiv Evergreen Inc., Sunopta, and WestRock Company, along with academic qualifications in Paper Science and Engineering and Business.
Work at Beyond Meat
Jon Nelson currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Beyond Meat, a position he has held since 2024. Prior to this role, he worked as Senior Vice President of Global Operations from 2021 to 2023 and as Vice President of Operations and Interim COO for six months in 2021. During his tenure, he managed a workforce of 800 team members across multiple plants and warehouses. His leadership contributed to the company's operational strategies and efficiency improvements.
Education and Expertise
Jon Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Paper Science and Engineering from the University of Minnesota, which he completed from 1983 to 1988. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mary, studying from 2008 to 2010. His educational background supports his extensive expertise in operations management, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic business planning.
Background
Jon Nelson has a diverse professional background in operations management across various companies. He began his career at WestRock Company, where he worked as an Engineer, Quality Manager, and Mill Superintendent from 1988 to 1996. He then held multiple roles at Pactiv Evergreen Inc., including Plant Manager II and Operations Manager, from 1997 to 2012. His experience also includes a six-year tenure at Sunopta as Vice President of Operations in the Plant-Based Food and Beverage sector.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Jon Nelson has played a significant role in strategic initiatives, including contributing to a $500 million consumer packaged goods business focused on beverages, snacks, and roasted ingredients. He is recognized for his ability to collaborate with C-Suite executives, providing support and guidance to align with company goals. His expertise in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies has been instrumental in enhancing operational efficiency.