Steve Adams

COO | Enterprise Builder | Operations Executive | Process Manufacturing & Regulated Consumer Products | Multi-Site Leadership | EBITDA Growth | Operational Transformation | Scale-Up Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

United States

About

Operations executive and enterprise builder with extensive experience creating, scaling, and transforming manufacturing organizations, including private equity-backed companies. Proven track record building operating platforms from the ground up — leading greenfield development, organizational design, plant startup, commercialization, and the creation of scalable systems that drive sustainable growth. Experienced leading complex process manufacturing environments with full operational accountability, including P&L performance, capital deployment, productivity improvement, safety, quality, and organizational capability building. Core Expertise: • Enterprise & platform build / scale • Private equity-backed operations leadership • Greenfield plant development & startup execution • Multi-site process manufacturing leadership • Operational transformation & EBITDA improvement • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt / continuous improvement systems • Capital projects, expansions & commercialization • Safety, quality & regulatory systems (FDA, OSHA, EPA, FSMA, GFSI) • Leadership team development & organizational design Known for a hands-on, team-centered leadership approach, combining operational discipline with strong business acumen to build high-performing teams, establish scalable operating systems, and deliver measurable improvements in growth, profitability, and execution.

Experience

  • Chief Operating Officer at Amber Wave
    Nov 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 9 mos

    Spearheaded the greenfield development of private equity backed food manufacturing facility from concept to full scale operation, overseeing design, construction, and commissioning Directed cross functional teams across engineering, supply chain, quality assurance, HSE, finance, and HR to establish operational infrastructure supporting scalable, efficient production Established food safety and quality systems and successfully managed regulatory approvals and third party certifications Implemented lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, driving reductions in waste, downtime, and manufacturing cost while improving OEE Directed capital planning and execution for $300+ million in plant and equipment investments, delivering the project on time and within budget Partnered with executive leadership and private equity sponsors to align operational strategy with growth, EBITDA, and scalable objectives Developed and enforced safety, sanitation, and preventive maintenance programs, achieving strong startup safety performance and regulatory compliance Embedded sustainability and ESG principles into the design and startup of a new food manufacturing facility, integrating energy efficiency, water stewardship, and waste reduction from initial plant design through commercial operation

  • Director Of Operations at The Mennel Milling Company
    Sep 2019 - Nov 2021 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Led end-to-end operations across 7 manufacturing sites, overseeing production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and logistics while ensuring consistent performance and standards across all locations Standardized food safety and quality systems (GMPs, HACCP, FSMA, SQF/BRC) across multiple plants, achieving successful regulatory audits and third-party certifications Partnered with plant managers and site leadership to build high-performing teams, strengthen accountability, and create a culture of food safety, safety compliance, and continuous improvement Managed multi-site P&L performance, delivering margin improvement through cost control, productivity gains, and disciplined capital and labor planning Led capital planning and execution for plant upgrades, equipment installations, and capacity expansions across multiple facilities Supported acquisitions and integrations, aligning newly acquired facilities to corporate operating standards, systems, and performance expectations

  • Plant Manager at Miller Milling Company
    Sep 2005 - Sep 2019 · 14 yrs 1 mo

    Led 24/7 operations of a large-scale flour milling facility, overseeing production, quality, maintenance, safety, sanitation, and logistics to meet customer demand and service levels Implemented and enforced food safety and quality systems (FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, BRCGS), achieving successful regulatory and third-party audits Drove operational performance improvements, increasing throughput and extraction rates while reducing downtime, shrink, and cost per ton Managed plant P&L performance, controlling labor, energy, and maintenance costs while meeting budget and margin targets Led capital projects and mill upgrades, including equipment modernization and capacity expansions, delivering projects safely and on schedule