IRVINE, Calif. – Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice and retail industries, is pleased to announce the promotion of Chad Buechel to president of KanPak U.S., effective this week. From the GSF subsidiary’s headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Chad will be responsible for all aspects of KanPak’s U.S. business, including its production of more than 18 million gallons of dairy products each year.
In his new role, Chad will establish and execute KanPak’s U.S. strategic growth plan, including revenue growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, operating efficiency, quality, and safety. He will also provide inspired leadership to the executive team and establish a solid working relationship with the board of directors.
“We are excited to have someone with Chad’s leadership and experience join the KanPak family,” said KanPak U.S. Chief Executive Officer Larry McGill, who also serves as a corporate officer for Golden State Foods. “His knowledge of GSF and running large award-winning plants will continue to help us grow and provide opportunities for our team members. His people skills are evident, as well as his passion for the business!”
With more than 25 years in the food manufacturing industry, Chad started his career on the shop floor with Pepsi Bottling Group and spent 20 years in 14 different locations working his way up to plant manager. In that role, he helped turn around a 17-million-case beverage plant with four production lines, a distribution operation, and the facility’s on-site fleet management.
Chad also served as an operations manager for Nestle in Tulare, California, where he was second in command for the world’s largest ice cream processing facility. As a plant manager for Nestle, Chad was responsible for an eight-line ice cream processing plant delivering more than $250 million in annual sales. For two years at Kraft Heinz Company in Tulare, he was responsible for a cheese and dairy facility and leading nine team members. Before joining GSF, Chad oversaw safety, compliance, and operating effectiveness of three compositing facilities in California for Synagro Technologies.
A GSF leader since 2017, Chad was previously group vice president, liquid products in the City of Industry, California. His key contributions included successfully negotiating union contracts, implementing enterprise resource planning, and helping the team earn customer recognitions like Supplier of the Year Awards from Popeye’s and Wendy’s, and Whataburger’s 2018 Leap of Faith Award.
Originally from Sacramento, California, Chad earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from National University in San Diego, California.
About Golden State Foods
Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice and retail industries, feeds 5 billion people every day! Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., the company is values-based with proven performance in superior quality, innovation and customer service. Established in 1947, GSF currently services 100+ leading brands (125,000+ restaurants/stores) from its 50+ locations on five continents. Its core businesses include: manufacturing of liquid products, protein, produce, dairy/aseptic, and provides custom distribution services. The company employs approximately 6,000 associates and is 100 percent management-owned and run. Golden State Foods also operates a national non-profit organization, the GSF Foundation.
