Pablo Perez

Pablo Perez has spent nearly three decades proving that world-class manufacturing begins and ends with people. From leading operations at global giants such as Unilever and Johnson & Johnson to his current role at Oregon Potato Company (OPC), he has built a career defined by efficiency and sustainability. Today, he makes sure that OPC’s operations run with precision, deliver food of the highest quality and create sustainable growth that will endure for generations.

Through this article, Perez highlights how automation, data and a culture of accountability are transforming food manufacturing into a smarter, safer and more sustainable industry. He also shares how his leadership and vision are preparing OPC for the future of food manufacturing.

AT A GLANCE:

• People-First Leadership – Manufacturing is a team sport where ownership, accountability and empowerment drive results.

• Smarter, Safer, Sustainable – Automation, digitalization and sustainability reshape operations while building resilience.

• Excellence through Data – Lean, TPM and analytics unlock continuous improvement and operational discipline.

Closing the Skills Gap: People at the Center of Change

When I look at manufacturing today, the greatest challenge is not technology, it is people. Manufacturing, by definition, depends on people’s skills, their knowledge and their ability to bring processes to life. Yet, every day, it becomes harder to find individuals with the right experience to operate equipment and deliver the results our customers expect.

“Leadership begins and ends with people because manufacturing is a team sport. And when people feel ownership, remarkable things happen.”

That shortage is exactly why technology has taken on a new role. Innovation matters, but it only becomes real when people can use it. Today, the challenge of people and skills has led us to focus on automation and digitalization.

Over the past year, we have invested heavily in new technologies that allow us to stand shoulder to shoulder with the most prominent players in the food industry. Companies like Kraft Heinz and Unilever set the pace, and the only way to compete in such a demanding market is to be constantly up to date with technology, disciplined in training our people and committed to processes that are sustainable.

That vision, where technology is in the service of people and people are equipped to deliver lasting value, drives our work.

Leading in Manufacturing: Why Accountability and Improvement Come First

Leadership begins and ends with people because manufacturing is a team sport. And when people feel ownership, remarkable things happen.

That is why I lead with three principles that shape everything we do. Data must guide our decisions, because reliable information is the foundation of real improvement. Ownership creates accountability, as when operators take pride in their lines, the results speak for themselves. And improvement can never stop. Each day brings an opportunity to make our processes safer, faster and more sustainable.

Innovations to Watch: Smarter Plants and Sustainable Processing

The food industry is at an exciting crossroads, and I believe that few innovations are particularly transformative.

Advanced systems like automation turn our plants into intelligent systems that predict maintenance needs and minimize downtime. Quality systems are returning to the fundamentals by really understanding customers on the manufacturing floor to meet their needs and consistently exceed their expectations. And finally, sustainable processing is no longer optional; it is the future. Customers expect it, and responsible companies must embrace it if they want to remain relevant.

Together, these innovations are changing the way we think about manufacturing. They are making operations more adaptive, more transparent and more resilient.

Balancing Priorities: Turning Efficiency and Safety into Trust

I don’t view efficiency, sustainability and food safety as competing priorities at Oregon Potato Company. They are interdependent pillars of a single operating model.

Efficiency stems from disciplined practices such as Lean and Total Productive Maintenance, which eliminate waste and maximize productivity. Sustainability requires us to be intentional with energy, water and raw materials to protect future resources. Food safety and quality are non-negotiable, as they are built into every process we run and reinforced every day through a culture of accountability.

When these three elements are integrated, they cease to be goals on their own and become part of a unified system.

What’s Next: Building a Resilient Future

When I think about the future of food manufacturing, I don’t see twelve to eighteen months as a long-term perspective. This is short-term in our world. Even something as simple as upgrading a piece of technology now takes between sixteen and fifty-two weeks. That reality shapes how we plan and anticipate what is to come.

Across the industry, global companies such as Kraft Heinz, Kellogg’s and Mars are restructuring themselves into focused market segments, dividing institutional operations from retail to serve both sides equally. The goal is to ensure customers are satisfied but fully supported, regardless of their market.

At Oregon Potato Company, we are taking a similar approach, building on our vertically integrated structure. We manage both the farming and the industrial processing side of the business, but we are also working to specialize them more distinctly.

By giving each side of the operation its own clear roadmap, we are preparing to exceed customer expectations. For me, the measure of success comes from not just delivering what is required but creating a level of trust and value that goes beyond.

Keys to Success in Manufacturing: Guidance for the Next Generation

If there is one piece of advice I share with young professionals, it is to stay curious and never stop learning. The manufacturing industry is constantly evolving. New technologies emerge, customer expectations shift and challenges arrive that none of us could have predicted. The people who thrive are those who adapt quickly, collaborate openly, and keep integrity at the core of everything they do.

Combine technical excellence with resilience and teamwork and let integrity guide every decision. That combination will not only build a career but leave a lasting legacy.