Mars Wrigley names Julia M. Brown as new chief procurement officer

Brown, most recently of Carnival, also worked for Mondelez and Clorox.

Julia M. Brown joins Mars Wrigley as its new chief procurement officer.

Mars Wrigley has named Julia M. Brown as its new chief procurement officer. She most recently worked as the chief procurement officer for Carnival Corporation & plc.

In her new role, Brown will be responsible for the global procurement strategy in support of some of the world’s favorite confectionery and snacking brands including M&M’S, Snickers, Extra/Orbit, Twix, Altoids, Starburst and Skittles.

She will oversee Mars Wrigley’s relationships with the supplier community to improve supplier diversity and build the connected and sustainable treating and snacking business of tomorrow. This includes accelerating efforts around sustainable sourcing initiatives to advance Mars’ $1 billion Sustainable in a Generation Plan and $1 billion Cocoa for Generations strategy.

“The role of chief procurement officer is critical to helping Mars Wrigley act with purpose, reduce our environmental footprint and improve lives in our supply chains and communities where we work.” said Andrew Clarke, global president of Mars Wrigley. "Julia's breadth of experience will be invaluable to helping us live our purpose and partner across our value chain to make tangible impact."

Brown has extensive experience over a nearly 30-year career in the consumer products and hospitality industries. She has worked as the chief procurement officer for Mondelēz, Kraft Foods and Clorox, with prior experience at Procter & Gamble, Diageo and Gillette.

Most recently she worked as chief procurement officer for Carnival Corporation & plc, where she oversaw global strategic sourcing and supply chain. During this time, Brown was accountable for strategically procuring goods and services across the company’s nine cruise lines to drive profits, streamline the supply chain and strengthen the company’s supplier relationships.

"I am thrilled to be joining Mars Wrigley. I have been impressed by their leadership in several areas: improving farmer livelihoods and origin communities through Cocoa for Generations, the Palm Positive Plan and AdvanceMint; enacting science-based strategies to protect the health of our planet and rethinking and innovating the design of their packaging,” Brown said. “I look forward to working with Mars’ highly respected partners and suppliers to drive transformational growth and deliver category impact on a truly global scale.

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.