Eddie Hartfield Jr. | Transformational Manufacturing Executive | Driving Operational Excellence, Cultural Change & Sustainable Growth

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Eddie H. is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of progressive leadership experience in the manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and general business sectors. As the current Vice President of Manufacturing at Danone, Eddie brings a wealth of strategic insight, operational excellence, and transformational leadership to organizations navigating complex challenges across global supply chains, labor relations, and sustainability-driven practices.

Throughout his career, Eddie has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to building operational infrastructures that are not only efficient and scalable, but also people-centric and environmentally responsible. At Danone, his nearly decade-long tenure includes roles of increasing responsibility, from Senior Director of Operations to Sr. Director of Productivity/Ideal Factory, culminating in his current executive leadership position. In each capacity, Eddie has led cross-functional teams, spearheaded strategic initiatives to drive manufacturing excellence, and implemented cultural shifts that improved morale, accountability, and overall performance.

Prior to his time at Danone, Eddie served as Director of Plant Operations for The Coca-Cola Company, where he oversaw high-volume production environments and led performance optimization strategies critical to organizational growth. Earlier in his career, he spent over 13 years at Nestlé Waters, holding pivotal roles in supply chain and factory management. In this international capacity, Eddie partnered with global teams in Switzerland and Italy, and successfully implemented continuous improvement methodologies across both U.S. and Canadian operations.

Eddie’s professional expertise spans a wide array of competencies, including strategic planning, labor relations, HR alignment, business finance, logistics, and sustainability. His skill in turnaround management has earned him a reputation for rescuing underperforming plants and creating long-term, people-first success models. He is also a vocal advocate for aligning corporate initiatives with community and environmental impact, often engaging with local stakeholders to promote transparency, collaboration, and shared growth.

He has participated in multiple speaking engagements, ranging from facility town halls to local leadership panels. Eddie frequently addresses topics such as industry innovation, sustainability in operations, and leadership development—making him not only a transformational leader inside the factory walls but also a respected voice in the broader business community.

Beyond his corporate contributions, Eddie has served on local economic development and Chamber of Commerce boards in the Fort Worth area. He is deeply involved in personal passion projects, including the restoration of antique automobiles, caring for horses, and supporting mentorship programs for underprivileged youth.

Eddie holds a degree from Henderson State University and is fluent in English. He is not currently active on any boards but is actively seeking board opportunities where he can leverage his decades of insight to guide companies through growth, cultural transformation, and strategic repositioning. With no limitations on industry, company size, or vertical, Eddie is eager to help organizations build sustainable, efficient, and values-driven operations.

As he reflects on the impactful legacy he has created in the corporate world, Eddie is driven by a clear mission: to apply his expertise in labor, logistics, and leadership to help organizations thrive—operationally, culturally, and sustainably.

Character: Eddie is a values-driven leader who prioritizes integrity, team development, and community impact in every facet of his work.

Knowledge: With over 25 years of industry experience, Eddie possesses deep expertise in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and sustainable business practices.

Strategic: He excels at leading cultural transformations and operational turnarounds by aligning long-term business goals with innovative process improvements.

Communication: Eddie is a compelling communicator who engages confidently with internal teams, community stakeholders, and industry audiences through speaking engagements and collaborative forums.

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Sergio Quilici
Sergio Quilici
Sergio Quilici is a dynamic team player here at Leadafi, with a passion for accentuating the strengths and best attributes of those in his publications. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno. As a creative designer he has a keen attention to detail and plays a critical role in the aesthetic appeal of our digital assets. When it comes to publishing he is a thorough editor. What drives him is being given the opportunity to showcase Executives in a way that is both visually alluring and textually compelling to the publications intended audience.