Former VP of Operations at premium chocolate company to focus on strategic workflow alignment
Joseph Basile, President of Catania Oils, today announced that Robert Michalski has joined Catania Oils’ senior leadership team as Vice President of Operations, a newly created position.
Robert brings more than 30 years of operations expertise focusing on strategic workflow alignment. He will be responsible for evaluating, aligning and coordinating Catania Oils’ workflow across functions including manufacturing, warehouse operations, bulk, logistics and the entire supply chain.
Prior to joining Catania Oils, Michalski was the founder and President of REMC International, a manufacturing consulting firm, a former Vice President of Operations for Lindt & Sprüngli, a global leader in the premium chocolate sector. Under his leadership, Lindt & Sprüngli doubled in size and five new production lines were installed. He successfully managed and implemented $150 million in capital projects for the famous chocolatier.
Michalski has held several other leadership positions including Cott Beverages, Cheesecake Factory, M&M Mars and Mondelez. At Mondelez, he worked out of their Northern Italy facility for several years. He has vast experience with manufacturing operations, engineering, product development, distribution and logistics.
“We had many exceptional candidates apply for this position, but Robert was a standout,” noted Joseph Basile, President of Catania Oils. “The leadership roles he has held with big national brands and global locations as well as the success he’s enjoyed managing capital projects was impressive and will be invaluable to us as we plan for our facilities’ expansion.”
Michalski earned a BS in Engineering from Purdue University. He is certified in TPM; ISO; MRP II, Six Sigma: Lean, FSSC and AIB. He is a board member of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire and is actively involved in other committees and manufacturing partnerships.
When he’s not working with the teams in the facility, Robert enjoys flying with the AF Civil Air Patrol. He is a Lieutenant Mission scanner and observer for search and rescue and a chief safety officer with the 0010 Squadron at Pease US Guard and refueling base in Portsmouth, NH. He is also an avid runner and has competed in several marathons.
He resides in New Hampshire with his wife Debbie and has two grown sons.
“Catania Oils’ rich history and exponential growth since its founding 100 years ago is inspiring,” noted Michalski. “I look forward to helping Catania Oils start a new chapter to improve its processes and procedures and facilitate its next phase of growth.”
