Wesley Schaefer
About Wesley Schaefer
Wesley Schaefer serves as the Director of Operations at Breakthru Beverage Group, where he has worked since 2015. He has extensive experience in operations management, having held various leadership roles at Nestlé Waters and Kraft Foods Group, and has a strong educational background in political science and process control.
Work at Breakthru Beverage Group
Wesley Schaefer has served as the Director of Operations at Breakthru Beverage Group since 2015. In this role, he oversees operations in Washington, DC, and New Castle, DE. His responsibilities include managing a diverse team and ensuring operational efficiency across the organization. Schaefer has utilized his extensive experience in operations management to enhance performance metrics and drive strategic initiatives within the company.
Education and Expertise
Wesley Schaefer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Law and Political Science from Salisbury University. He also completed the Better Process Control School at Cornell University, focusing on agricultural and life sciences. Additionally, he participated in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which provided him with leadership training and discipline. His educational background supports his expertise in operations management and process improvement.
Background in Nestlé Waters
Schaefer worked at Nestlé Waters from 2007 to 2012, where he held two key positions: Zone Sales Development Manager and Zone Operations Manager. In these roles, he was responsible for managing sales and operational strategies in the Washington DC-Baltimore area. His experience at Nestlé Waters contributed to his understanding of budget management and workforce dynamics.
Experience at Kraft Foods Group
Wesley Schaefer spent 13 years at Kraft Foods Group, where he held various positions, including Regional Territory Manager and Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager – Norfolk. His tenure from 1989 to 2007 involved overseeing regional operations and sales strategies. Schaefer's leadership during this period included promoting employees to senior leadership roles and implementing effective team coaching.
Achievements in Operations Management
Schaefer has achieved significant operational success, including directing a $75 million budget and realizing total bottom-line savings of $8.3 million through Lean strategies. He was recognized as a top performer in operations and sales key performance indicators in both 2015 and 2016. His expertise in using RoadNet software has also ensured compliance with Department of Transportation regulations.