THE SECRET TO

Cortaa Robinson - Logistics Innovation Manager , Battle Creek

What is your current role?

Logistics Innovation Manager

What are your responsibilities?

I’m responsible for making sure that all of my projects are executed on time and in full. I manage the packaging innovation project teams which consists of a cross functional team and work to ensure that we will be able to support the project with the volumes needed to meet the requested start ship date to our customers. On new food innovation, I’m responsible for making sure that the manufacturing facilities have the launch volume and the appropriate information to set up packaging in their Bill of Material. I also make sure that production gets scheduled timely and that the food is deployed into the network to meet the first ship date. I also work closely with different groups within Customer Logistics Services to ensure that we are able to support the different projects that I manage.

What do you like most about working for Kellogg?

I really enjoy everyone I work with on a daily basis. We work really well together and are always willing to help one another out to make sure that things get done on time. I also like the fact that I get to work with cross-functional teams on a daily basis that represent different areas of the organization.

Pedro Laverde - Commercial Services Manager , Queretaro, Mexico

When did you begin working for Kellogg?

I started working for Kellogg in October 1998.

What positions have you held at Kellogg?

At the beginning I was a Financial Professional for Argentina’s operations, then Employee Services Associate Leader, Latin America Internal Auditor, Latin America Internal Audit Manager, Latin America Financial Manager in Kellogg Latin America Shared Services and now Commercial Services Manager in Kellogg Latin America Shared Services.

What are your responsibilities?

Assure that the budget for Advertising and Promotion is registered on time, and also make sure that all the resources for Marketing are being used within the planned budget. I am also responsible for the Collection of around 900 MMD annually for Latin America.

What does your function do?

I am responsible for the Accounting for Advertising and Promotion, Sales Administration Services and Credit & Collection for Latin America.

What has been your greatest achievement?

I had to break the mind-set that normally goes with a Shared Services area, where people think that all we do is operate transactions. Nowadays we make clear that the Shared Services area has a big place in the business in decision making. This managerial position is new in the organization so I had to create the processes in which the area may operate.

Where do you go to school?

I studied a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at Universidad del Valle de Mexico and later a Master’s degree on Administration at the same University.

Lamont Brown - Associate Manager in Procurement , Battle Creek

What does your function do?

I build supplier relations and plant relationships, and resolve challenges to ensure the right ingredients are delivered to the right location at the right time.

What has been your biggest achievement?

Becoming a father to my beautiful daughter. Another was being one of the original leaders of our Kellogg Young Professionals and winning the Eagle Award for Diversity, which was given to me by our leadership team.

Where did you go to school?

I began my schooling K-12 at Detroit Public Schools, which was immediately followed by the United States Marine Corps, which was followed by the Kellogg Company. I have taken classes at Kellogg Community College and currently am pursuing a degree from Miller College.

What makes Kellogg a great place to work?

It’s a sense of pride from working for such an iconic company because I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t familiar with our products.

Kirsty Leyland - Senior Director HR Shared Services , Battle Creek

What are your responsibilities?

I'm responsible for the HR Shared Services Team; over 130 employees located across Canada, US and Latin America.

What makes Kellogg a great place to work?

The People and the culture they help to create. It’ no secret that we're in a fiercely competitive business and we work hard to win, but the way in which people operate really differentiates us. We hire people who fit our culture and we do a good job of that. At every level in the organization you'll find people who act with integrity, show respect to others and have humility and hunger to learn. They're just some of our values that help to make Kellogg a great place to work.

What do you do outside of Kellogg?

Outdoorsy stuff with the kids - skiing, biking and walking. I enjoy travel and spending time with friends. Scuba diving when I get the chance.

What do you like most about working for Kellogg?

It’s a company which places a high degree of value on personal development and experiential learning. There are great opportunities that exist for those who want to develop their career. I've had first hand experience of working internationally; I moved to the US with Kellogg from the UK less than 18 months after being hired – it’s been an eye opener and has really helped to give me a broader lens in the way that I approach work. There is value to the business in that.

Steve Kucera - Operations Business Partner , Battle Creek

When did you begin working for Kellogg?

My Kellogg career began in June 1985 in Omaha, Nebraska.

What are your responsibilities?

I drive the Snacks Supply Chain innovation process. I give functional leadership and coordinate and build relationships with Research, Quality, & Technology, Marketing, Sales and Manufacturing. I provide direction and implementation of Cost of Goods Sold initiatives and build global relationships. My position affords me the opportunity to visit different countries and work in many manufacturing environments.

What have been your greatest achievements?

Achievements at Kellogg are not measured on an individual level. We have built this company with teamwork, trust and pride. If I had to pick one marker of success that made me very proud, it would be building a Wholesome Snack cold form bar business. We were not players in this area but took a chance and made the investments and gained significant share of the market in a very short time period. Growing this platform allowed us to add manufacturing in both U.S. and Mexico.

What do you like most about working for Kellogg?

People. It’s where I met my wife.

Ventra Boykin - Strategic Procurement Manager , Battle Creek

When did you begin working for Kellogg?

I started my career with Kellogg on Aug. 15, 2011.

What has been your greatest achievement thus far?

Successfully transitioning into the Kellogg organization while being actively engaged and proactive with our Project Bone team to deliver cost savings.

Do you volunteer your time outside Kellogg?

Many of my civic involvements surround my membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where I volunteer and perform community service in various capacities. In addition to this, I serve as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Republic of The Gambia, West Africa, and locally volunteer at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.

Gregory Lopez - Associate Director Direct Store Delivery Operations , Battle Creek

What positions have you held at Kellogg?

I’ve been a Direct Store Delivery – Assistant Distribution Center Manager, Distribution Center Manager, Regional Continuous Improvement Manager and Associate Director Direct Store Delivery Operations.

What does your function do?

Develop and execute network optimization initiatives providing Project Management and supporting our field leadership on achieving business results.

What do you do outside of Kellogg?

I enjoy cooking, reading and spending quality time with my family. We have a 9-month-old who keeps us pretty busy.

Do you volunteer your time outside of Kellogg?

Work-life balance is something I strive for, so all my extra time I dedicate to my wife and new son.

Adriana Vital - Latin America Human Resources Vice President Assistant , Queretaro, Mexico

What positions have you held at Kellogg?

I started as Marketing Manager Assistant, after 2 years I was promoted as Marketing Direction Assistant and 3 years later as General Direction Assistant. In 1999, I became Latin America Presidency Assistant and since 2005 I am the Latin America Human Resources Vice President Assistant (Quite a ride, huh?)

What are your responsibilities?

I am responsible for the agenda, e-mails, follow up to professional matters of the Latin America Human Resources Vice President, organization of HR meetings locally and regionally, and some other clerical and coordination activities such as phone calls, requisitions, traveling, etc.

What does your function do?

I assist the Latin America Human Resources Vice President, the Human Resources Business Partner for Supply Chain and the whole HR Team in Mexico.

What has been your greatest achievement ?

At first becoming a part of Kellogg Company and all the promotions I’ve had during the years…

Where do you go to school ?

I studied my Commercial Career at The John F Kennedy School