Chris Sackree is stepping into his new role as the successor to Dale Creaser, who is set to retire from Mars on April 3, following nearly three decades with the company. This transition comes at a pivotal time in the food and beverage industry, characterized by evolving consumer trends and increased innovation.
As Sackree reports directly to Shaid Shah, the global president of Mars Food & Nutrition, he will be instrumental in steering the multinational company, which encompasses renowned brands such as Ben’s Original, Tasty Bite, Kevin’s Natural Foods, and Dolmio. His leadership will be crucial as Mars navigates food manufacturing trends and strives to enhance operational efficiency.
Sackree initially joined Mars in Operations at the Melton Mowbray facility for Mars Pet Nutrition. Over his tenure, he has embraced various supply chain roles. He also spent time in Bremen, Germany, focusing on Industrial Engineering, returning to the U.K. as plant manager in Melton Mowbray in 2013. This diverse experience positions him well to address food processing technology challenges.
In 2017, he relocated to Nashville as industrial engineering director, eventually serving as interim VP of supply for Mars Pet Nutrition in North America. Most recently, Sackree joined Mars Food & Nutrition in 2022 as the global value chain Operations VP, where he significantly contributed to building a robust global supply chain amid changing food distribution trends.
“I’m delighted to announce Chris’ appointment and welcome him to the Global Leadership Team for Mars Food & Nutrition,” stated Shah. “Chris joined Mars 18 years ago and has consistently delivered excellent operational performance across markets and categories, underpinned by a deep commitment to driving quality and safety. He is a strong leader with a reputation for building high-performing teams.”
Creaser’s journey with Mars began as a Shift Manager in Slough, where he spent the early years of his career focused on Chocolate and Petcare, including assignments in Hungary and Germany. He eventually returned to take on the role of Plant Manager at the Slough factory.
In 2012, Creaser transitioned to a role in Food as VP Supply for Food Europe, Russia, and South Africa. His career advanced as he became VP of Supply for Mars Chocolate Europe and Eurasia, followed by VP Supply for Mars Wrigley Europe, CIS, and Turkey.
Creaser rejoined Food & Nutrition in 2022 as Global VP Supply, where he has been described as “a driving force” behind the Segment’s supply transformation. His focus has been on embedding “operational excellence” and positioning the Segment for “continued success” through its refreshed business strategy.