Val Smith
About Val Smith
Val Smith is the Site Logistics Operations Manager at General Mills in Murfreesboro, TN, and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Smith has extensive experience in logistics and supply chain management, having held various roles at General Mills since 1992.
Title
Val Smith holds the position of Site Logistics Operations Manager at General Mills, based in Murfreesboro, TN. Smith's role includes managing logistics operations and overseeing the logistics cost center.
Current Position at General Mills
In the role of Site Logistics Operations Manager at General Mills’ Murfreesboro plant, Val Smith oversees an extensive logistics operation. This includes managing an annual production and shipment volume of 80 million cases and handling $15 million worth of daily packaged raw materials and bulk ingredients. Smith’s responsibilities also encompass spearheading site PIT & Pedestrian Safety initiatives and collaborating with Safety and Quality leaders.
Career at General Mills
Val Smith's long-standing career at General Mills includes past roles such as Logistics Operations Manager for multiple facilities, including the External Supply Chain in Golden Valley, MN (2008-2010) and the West Chicago Plant (2006-2008). Previously, Smith served as Distribution/Ops Manager at the GMI Avon Plant in Des Moines, Iowa (2005-2006) and held various roles from Customer Service Specialist to Logistics Ops Planner from 1992 to 2006 in Minneapolis, MN and Des Moines, IA.
Educational Background
Val Smith achieved a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Communications from Concordia University, St. Paul MN, and an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Business Administration from Florissant Valley Community College, St Louis MO. Additional leadership education includes programs at the John Wooden Leadership Program (2008), Michigan State University (2009), Chamber of Commerce - Leadership Rutherford (2014-2015), and the Transit Alliance of Middle TN Leadership Academy (2016).
Professional Expertise and Initiatives
Smith has led the development and implementation of a comprehensive logistics mission, vision, and strategy at one of General Mills' largest manufacturing facilities. Additionally, Smith manages a logistics cost center budget of $19 million and provides strategic logistics leadership as part of the Plant Leadership Team. Responsibilities also include active participation in the hiring and onboarding of new employees, development of the Supply Chain Logistics Associate program, sponsoring site diversity networks, and collaboration with 3PL partners to promote a zero-loss culture.