Food manufacturing

10 food co-packing experts

These ten supply chain and operations professionals have managed co-packing, co-manufacturing or contract manufacturing for food and beverage companies. A reader can learn from them how brands choose and manage co-packers, plan outsourced production and handle supplier performance.

10 professionals8 companiesData retrieved September 28, 2026

Professionals to explore

01—10
  1. Aftab Alibhai

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Manager, Contract Manufacturing · CSM Bakery Solutions

    Former Manager, Contract Manufacturing at CSM Bakery Solutions (2016) and External Manufacturing manager at Cadbury Adams (2006–2010); he was also Commercial Allocations Manager at Mondelēz International (2011–2014). His profile lists experience in external contract manufacturing and co-packer sourcing and management, and says he is currently Contract Manufacturing Manager with Scotts Canada.

  2. Alex Celis

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Supply Chain Manager - Foods · PepsiCo International (Philippines)

    Former Supply Chain Manager - Foods at PepsiCo International (Philippines) (2015–2025), where his profile lists managing the supply chain for the Philippine foods business, overseeing supply chain operations for seven Pacific Islands markets and co-managing the operations of a contract manufacturer. He was also Manufacturing Manager at Mondelez Philippines, Inc (2013–2015) and Production & Maintenance Manager at Universal Robina Corporation (2003–2011).

  3. Avi Belson

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Senior Director of Contract Manufacturing · Imbibe

    Former Senior Director of Contract Manufacturing at Imbibe (2018–2025) and Director of Manufacturing there (2008–2018); since January 2026 he has been Director of Manufacturing and Logistics at Tractor Beverage Co. His profile cites 17+ years in beverage and food building and running outsourced manufacturing networks, with work centered on contract manufacturing, commercialization and supplier performance.

  4. Diana Carolina Naar Ph.D.

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Supply Chain Contract Manufacturing Sr. Manager at PepsiCo · PepsiCo

    Supply Chain Contract Manufacturing Sr. Manager at PepsiCo since November 2021. Her other PepsiCo roles include Supply Chain Senior Quality Manager Company Owned and Franchise Operations (2017–2022), Supply Chain Quality Manager Franchise Operations (2013–2017) and Quality Manager (2007–2013). Her profile cites supply chain management roles with company-owned operations, franchise operations and copackers, and hiring and developing a start-up team.

  5. Florabel Thiele

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Supply Chain Contract Manufacturing Senior Manager · PepsiCo

    Supply Chain Contract Manufacturing Senior Manager at PepsiCo since March 2018 and Supply Chain Contract Manufacturing Manager there (2016–2018). She was also Supply Chain Quality Technical Service Manager at PepsiCo (2008–2016) and Tropicana Quality Technologist at Tropicana Brands Group (2000–2007). Her profile says her expertise lies in steering contract manufacturing operations with a focus on supply chain management, from planning to production and vendor relations.

  6. Gautam T.

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Contract Manufacturing Manager, Innovation · Clif Bar

    Director, Contract Manufacturing at Premier Nutrition: The Good Energy People since January 2026; the profile also lists Director, Supply Chain Integration at SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands as current since October 2021. At Clif Bar he was Contract Manufacturing Manager, Innovation (2015–2017), Sr. Operations Innovation Manager (2018–2021) and Sr. Supply Chain Integration Manager (2021). His profile cites over 13 years in supply chain, operations and process engineering and a CSCP credential.

  7. Jayne Caffrey

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Vice President of Co-Manufacturing · Sovos Brands

    Vice President of Co-Manufacturing at Sovos Brands (2016–2019); the profile also lists a current VP Comanufacturing role at Sovos Brands without a start date. She was also Vice President of Sourcing at Rao's Specialty Foods, Inc. (2016–2017) and Senior Director of Strategic Sourcing at The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) (2010–2015). Her profile describes overseeing co-packing, supply chain, production scheduling and strategic sourcing for national food products manufacturers and distributors.

  8. Joseph Konopa

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Manager, Contract Manufacturing · Conagra Brands

    Former Manager, Contract Manufacturing at Conagra Brands (2019–2021), Sr. Manager, External Manufacturing at Beyond Meat (2021) and Director, Contract Manufacturing North America at Beam Suntory (2021–2025). He has been V.P. Operations at Atomic Brands since November 2025 and was Commercialization Manager at ADM (2016–2018). His profile describes a background in managing complex supply chains and working closely with contract manufacturers.

  9. Miguel Quevedo

    LinkedIn

    Experience: Quaker Oats Supply Chain & Co-Manufacturing Lead · PepsiCo

    Former Quaker Oats Supply Chain & Co-Manufacturing Lead at PepsiCo (2013–2025). In that role his profile says he directed end-to-end operations supporting US$125M in annual revenue and 30K tons a year of volume, oversaw sourcing strategy, raw material imports and conversion to finished goods, and delivered a manufacturing fill rate above 95% across 20+ markets. He was also Sr. Supply Chain Planner Consultant at Bacardi (2005–2007).

  10. Will Mays

    LinkedIn

    Experience: 3rd Party Manufacturing Supply Manager Manufacturing Manager - Co Packing Operations · Suntory Oceania

    At Suntory Oceania he has held the title 3rd Party Manufacturing Supply Manager Manufacturing Manager - Co Packing Operations since January 2019, and was Manufacturing Manager - Aseptic Juice & Dairy (2015–2019) and Production Manager - PET Carbonated Soft Drinks (2012–2015) there. He was also Manufacturing Manager - UHT Dairy at Fonterra (2003–2010). His profile describes managing end-to-end supply planning as an operations and third-party manufacturing supply manager with over 15 years at Suntory Oceania.

Choose the right perspective

Match the person's product category and scale to yours, since a young brand choosing its first co-packer faces different questions than a large company running a network of contract manufacturers. For supplier selection and contracts, favor people who have sourced co-packers; for day-to-day performance and planning, favor those who ran ongoing contract manufacturing operations.

Questions to take into the conversation

  1. 01How do you evaluate and select a co-packer, and which capability or capacity checks matter most before signing?
  2. 02What should a co-manufacturing agreement cover on pricing, minimums, quality responsibilities and exit terms?
  3. 03How do you manage a co-packer's performance on fill rate, quality and cost once production is running?

About this directory

This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.

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