BRISTOL, PA — Sojo Industries has named Benjamin “Ben” Tanner as chief operating officer, adding a seasoned manufacturing and logistics executive as the company scales its technology-driven packaging and production model nationwide.
Tanner brings more than 20 years of operational leadership across food and beverage manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics. Most recently, he led operations for Winland Foods’ condiments business, overseeing a five-plant network generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue. His background also includes senior roles at TreeHouse Foods and Dean Foods, where he drove large-scale productivity and continuous improvement initiatives that delivered multimillion-dollar gains.
Before entering the food sector, Tanner served as general manager of Amazon’s greenfield distribution and sortation center in Ashland, Virginia, managing more than 800 employees and establishing operational systems from the ground up. He also spent eight years in the U.S. Navy.
Sojo founder and Chief Executive Officer Barak Bar-Cohen said Tanner’s appointment reflects the company’s shift from startup mode to scaled operations. He said Tanner’s experience turning complex systems into disciplined, repeatable processes will be critical as Sojo expands its manufacturing footprint.
Tanner joins an executive team that recently added Chief Commercial Officer Chad Hagen, alongside co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Steve Rubin and Chief Technology Officer Josh Schwartz-Dodek. The company said the leadership mix strengthens its ability to meet rising demand for flexible, technology-enabled manufacturing closer to end markets.
As COO, Tanner will oversee Sojo’s manufacturing operations and execution strategy, including the rollout of Sojo Flight, the company’s mobile, high-speed packaging platform. He will also lead efforts to expand the company’s facility network and support entry into new product categories.
Tanner said Sojo’s approach addresses supply chain challenges facing major consumer brands by bringing production closer to demand while improving quality and reliability through technology. Board member Michael Zuckerman of 3600 Partners said the hire positions Sojo to scale with greater efficiency and automation as it serves larger customers.
The appointment signals Sojo’s intent to accelerate growth while tightening operational discipline in a competitive consumer packaged goods manufacturing landscape.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.