Ben Waddell
About Ben Waddell
Ben Waddell is the Plant Manager at General Mills in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with extensive experience in the food manufacturing industry, specializing in continuous improvement and quality assurance.
Current Position at General Mills
Ben Waddell is currently serving as the Plant Manager at General Mills in Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States. His role involves overseeing operations, implementing strategic plans, and ensuring high standards of production and quality control within the plant.
Previous Roles and Experience
Before his tenure at General Mills, Ben Waddell held multiple significant positions in the food manufacturing industry. He was the Director of Operations at TNT Crust LLC from 2020 to 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and a Consultant at Lauras USA LLP from 2018 to 2020. Waddell also served as the Lena Plant Manager at Saputo Inc. from 2016 to 2018 and the VP of Operational Process Improvement at Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC from 2015 to 2016.
Educational Background
Ben Waddell holds a Master’s degree in Business and Administration from Edgewood College, where he studied from 2000 to 2003. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earned between 1995 and 1999. His educational background has significantly contributed to his expertise in food manufacturing and business operations.
Specializations and Skills
Ben Waddell has extensive experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) and Quality Assurance (QA) within the food manufacturing industry. He specializes in strategic and tactical planning, especially in fast-paced environments. He is also skilled in managing customer, supplier, and employee relations, and has a proven track record in resolving complex problems in manufacturing settings. His expertise extends to project and process management, focusing on cost reduction and implementing change.
Earlier Career Journey
Ben Waddell's early career includes a long tenure at Kraft Foods Group, where he served in various roles from 1995 to 2011. This includes positions such as Plant - Business Unit Manager for both Nabisco and Kraft Pizza Company and Research Scientist/R&D Group Leader. His experience also includes a role as Appleton Plant Manager at McCain Foods from 2011 to 2015. Additionally, he volunteered for the United Nations in 2005 and participated in the Russian Leadership Exchange Program in 1994.