Stop Managing Tasks, Start Leading People

Manufacturing Meet Up

Overview

Ever wonder how someone successfully leads 17 plants across the Americas? Andres Oviedo joins Ed and Alvaro for a conversation that’s part leadership masterclass, part coffee shop wisdom. Building on the “Innovation Mentality” from the previous episode, Andres shows what it looks like in action, speaking from his experiences with Mondelēz, Kraft-Heinz, and Barry Callebaut. The guys explore how Andres’ multicultural experience creates a competitive advantage: speaking multiple “languages” (corporate, shop floor, and everything in between) and building trust across every level.

From Ed’s plant visits that end at the local bar to Alvaro’s memories of breakthrough transformations, this episode delivers practical gold. Learn why the best KPI might be whether people remember you, how to translate strategy into daily operations that everyone understands, and why empowering operators to shut down the line builds excellence. It doesn’t matter if you run a plant or run a line, Andres’s message is clear: stop managing tasks and start leading people. Plus, discover how bringing your authentic self to work – yes, including your music and food – creates the environment where teams thrive.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Innovation Mentality
• Download the full podcast here
• Apple
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• YouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

Meet Our Hosts

Alvaro Cuba

Alvaro Cuba has more than 35 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in operations and supply chain as well as tenure in commercial and general management for the consumer products goods, textile, automotive, electronics and internet industries. His professional career has taken him to more than 70 countries, enabling him to bring a global business view to any conversation. Today, Alvaro is a strategic business consultant and advisor in operations and supply chain, helping advance start-ups in the AI and advanced manufacturing space.

Ed Ballina

Ed Ballina was formerly the VP of Manufacturing and Warehousing at PepsiCo, with 36 years of experience in manufacturing and reliability across three CPG Fortune 50 companies in the beverage and paper industries. He previously led a team focused on improving equipment RE/TE performance and reducing maintenance costs while improving field capability. Recently, Ed started his own supply chain consulting practice focusing on Supply Chain operational consulting and equipment rebuild services for the beverage industry.

Key Conversation Points

• Resilience and Adaptability: Andres discusses the importance of being adaptable and resilient, having personally moved 16 times in his life.
• Creativity in Problem Solving: Emphasizing the need for creativity when standard procedures do not suffice during crises.
• People First Leadership: The way to build trust and team engagement is critical in operational excellence.
• Ambition for Excellence: A strong drive to achieve the best results and value in the work being done.

Closing Thoughts

Andres emphasizes the shift from managing tasks to leading people. He advises embracing one's unique perspective as a leader in the manufacturing space and fostering trust and empowerment within teams to navigate challenges effectively. The episode highlights the significance of being true to oneself and building meaningful connections in the workplace.