Nate Hood
About Nate Hood
Nate Hood is the Strategic Sourcing Manager for Functional Ingredients at General Mills, with extensive experience in supply chain management and procurement in the food industry.
Current Role at General Mills
Nate Hood currently holds the position of Strategic Sourcing Manager, Functional Ingredients at General Mills. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, his role focuses on sourcing key functional ingredients including yeast, phosphates, hydrocolloids, and plant proteins. His responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring the timely procurement of essential ingredients across the company's supply chain.
Previous Experience at General Mills
Prior to his current role, Nate Hood has held various positions at General Mills. These include Associate Manager, Supply Chain Simplification, Sr. Capabilities Lead, Global Sourcing focusing on should-cost modeling, Sr. Buyer for dry corn and rice, Buyer for marketing promotions, and Capabilities Lead for contract lifecycle management. His tenure at General Mills spans across several years, during which he has been instrumental in various initiatives aimed at supply chain optimization and cost reduction.
Education and Academic Background
Nate Hood completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain & Operations Management from Michigan Technological University. During his time at the university, he also served as a Process Improvement Lead in the Office of Continuous Improvement, gaining valuable experience in process optimization and project management. His academic foundation laid the groundwork for his expertise in supply chain management within the food industry.
Early Career and Internships
Nate Hood began his career with an internship at Polaris Industries as a Purchasing Intern for the Slingshot PDP in Wyoming, MN. This role provided him with early exposure to procurement processes and purchasing strategies. Additionally, his role as Process Improvement Lead at Michigan Technological University's Office of Continuous Improvement further honed his skills in operational efficiency and process management.
Supply Chain Simplification and Cost Modeling
Nate Hood played a key role in supply chain simplification projects and led should-cost modeling initiatives during his tenure at General Mills. These projects focused on streamlining supply chain processes and optimizing cost structures, contributing significantly to the company’s operational efficiency. His expertise in these areas underscores his comprehensive understanding of supply chain dynamics and cost management in the food industry.