Mitch Arends serves as our Executive Vice President, Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer, having served in this role since November 2023. Mr. Arends is responsible for all aspects of end-to-end supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, planning, quality, and research & development. Prior to joining Utz, Mr. Arends served as Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America Operations at The Kraft Heinz Company. During Mr. Arends’ 13 years at The Kraft Heinz Company, prior to his role as Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America, Mr. Arends led North America Operations & Manufacturing since 2018, as well as, several business unit operations roles, and positions in procurement and plant management. Prior to his time at The Kraft Heinz Company, Mr. Arends served six years at Nestle & Gerber, a Swiss multinational food and drink processing conglomerate corporation, from 2004 to 2010. Prior to his roles at Nestle & Gerber, Mr. Arends served five years in several supply chain roles at Deere & Company, an American manufacturing corporation. Mr. Arends started his career in 1996 with Quality Farm and Fleet in supply chain and merchandising.
Mr. Arends earned his MBA from Arizona State University with an emphasis on Supply Chain Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Supply Chain Management / Operations Management from Michigan State University.