Dawn Foods names SVP of North America Manufacturing Operations
The move is aimed at strengthening its production network and driving operational excellence across the region.
NORTH AMERICA – Dawn Foods, a family-owned global bakery manufacturer and ingredients supplier based in Jackson, Michigan, has appointed Kristi Kangas as Senior Vice President of North America Manufacturing Operations, effective early January 2026.
This newly created C-suite role reports directly to Chief Operating Officer John Schmitz and underscores the company’s strategic focus on operational excellence amid intensifying competition in the bakery sector.
Kangas brings extensive experience in multi-site food manufacturing, positioning her to drive efficiency across Dawn’s North American footprint.
In her new position, Kangas oversees approximately 1,000 team members spanning four key manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada.
Her responsibilities encompass quality assurance, safety protocols, engineering initiatives, and continuous improvement programs, all aimed at aligning production with Dawn’s long-term growth objectives.
Particular emphasis is placed on advancing automation, standardizing processes, and achieving cost-effective scalability to support the company’s commercial priorities in a market that demands innovative bakery solutions.
Kangas brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in operations and manufacturing within the food and agriculture sectors.
She has a proven track record in multi-plant operations, supply chain optimization, capital planning, and large-scale transformation projects.
Her expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Dawn’s efficiency and innovation as the company continues to expand its footprint in North America.
She joins Dawn from Griffith Foods, where she served as vice president of manufacturing & supply chain, North America, leading more than 1,400 employees across five facilities in the US, Canada and Mexico.
John Schmitz praised Kangas’s track record, noting her proven leadership in complex manufacturing environments and passion for team building.
“Kristi is a manufacturing leader with deep food industry expertise, making her an outstanding addition to our North America Leadership Team,” Schmitz stated.
Kangas, a self-described “manufacturing junkie,” expressed enthusiasm for Dawn’s family-owned heritage and global reach, viewing the role as a prime opportunity to enhance operational impact.
This appointment follows earlier leadership moves, such as 2024 promotions of Melissa Bautista to SVP of North America Operations and Jen Taggart to VP of North America Manufacturing, reflecting ongoing investments in operational resilience post-supply chain disruptions.
The hire signals Dawn’s proactive stance in an industry grappling with tight margins, regulatory complexities, and rising demand for consistent, innovative outputs.
By prioritizing automation and supply chain fortification, Kangas’s leadership is poised to deliver superior service to customers while positioning Dawn for market share gains against consolidating competitors.
Industry observers anticipate that her influence will accelerate technology integration and process enhancements, boosting Dawn’s competitive edge in North American bakery manufacturing.
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