Steve transforms consumer insights into profitable product platforms and disruptive innovations.
As Vice President & Group Lead, Marketing & Innovation (US) of Spyder Works, Steve brings extensive experience managing international business units driven by strong corporate cultures and innovation pipelines that deliver to the most challenging goals. All while maintaining full P&L responsibility upwards of $2B in the Fortune 500 space
As a former VP, Marketing Head for Nestle, Steve headed the team widely regarded as a beacon for the company’s innovation globally. In the face of ongoing change and transition, he managed double-digit growth momentum for over 16 consecutive quarters, driving annual increases in profitability and new product velocities up to four times greater than the leading competitors.
During his four-year tenure, he shone at retaining top-tier talent, and was awarded membership on the $11B Nestle USA Business Leadership Team and Americas Innovation Leadership Team. Prior to Nestle, Steve led the Global Breakthrough Innovation team for Kraft Foods where he developed new platforms that would take the company in a fresher, less processed, “Gen-Now” direction.
Under Steve’s leadership, joint ventures, technological exclusivities, and new white spaces that could lead to the growth of 200+MM businesses were identified and presented directly to the CEO. The successful launch of Kraft Fresh Creations brand represented extensive partnership and collaboration with the company’s Cheese and Snacks divisions and became a valuable brand extension that was saleable within one year.
Prior to Kraft, Steve spent 9 years at Mars, where he led a New Product Accelerator team to develop and bring new pet food products to market within condensed timeframes. During the disruptive period when Mars’ corporate head office once moved from LA to Nashville, Steve identified promising acquisition targets to successfully address the company’s growth agenda. He was also instrumental into creating Best Practices to drive awareness and ensure consistent messaging across all of Mars’ global brands.
Fully bilingual, Steve holds a Masters of Business Administration from Canada’s prestigious McGill University (Montreal) and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bishop’s University (Lennoxville; Canada). He’s an invaluable asset to the Spyder Works’ team of disruptors.
