Del Real Foods, an investor-backed Mexican chilled foods maker, has appointed Viviano del Villar Jr. as its chief operating officer. 

Based in Mira Loma, California, Del Real Foods manufactures and supplies branded and private-label Mexican meat products, tamales, fresh salsa and side dishes for the retail and foodservice channels.

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The incoming COO will lead the company’s supply chain functions, including operations, logistics, warehouse, maintenance, and engineering, according to a statement. He was previously vice president for “manufacturing excellence” within the Americas division of France-based food company Bonduelle. Prior to that he was employed by Kraft Heinz in various roles.

Mike Axelrod, the chief executive of Del Real, which is owned by Palladium Equity Partners in partnership with the founding Cardenas family, said: “We are excited to welcome Viviano to our company’s leadership team. Viviano shares our commitment to employee health and safety and brings an impressive track record of delivering on continuous improvement initiatives throughout his career.”

just-food has contacted Del Real to established whether the COO function is a newly-created role.

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