Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berry Farms has added to its staff someone who will help streamline packaging, supplies and inventory management throughout all growing regions.
John Knappe has been hired as Bobalu’s procurement manager. In his new role, Knappe will work with Michael Cleugh, vice president of operations for Bobalu and processing company AgriFrost LLC., according to a news release.
Knappe has been in the produce industry for nine years, specifically working in packaging supply and inventory management within the berry industry. This experience allowed him to begin at full speed in his first week, the release said, in a role the company added to keep pace with current and future customer demands in packaging, pricing and availability, sustainability, and private-label needs.
As Bobalu continues to grow, with increased acreage, seasonality and packaging mix, a dedicated team member such as Knappe, focused on procurement, was a necessary and welcome addition, the company said.
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“John has the experience and product knowledge to seamlessly step right into the role and provide support to operations, sales and management,” Cleugh said in the release.
Knappe said he was looking forward to working with a company that has such a strong history behind it. Bobalu is currently celebrating its 60th year of farming fresh strawberries in California, according to the release.
“I am excited to be part of a company with a long legacy of family growers,” Knappe said in the release. “Our exceptional-quality fruit deserves reliable packaging to preserve it from the farm to the consumer’s table.”
Knappe, who was born and raised in the Salinas, Calif., area, will work from the company’s Monterey, Calif., sales office.
