Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Languages
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Chester T Yang

Los Angeles,CA

Summary

Dynamic executive with a proven track record at Bunge Limited, excelling in strategic planning and business development. Recognized for driving significant revenue growth and enhancing operational efficiency through innovative solutions. A strong leader committed to talent development and stakeholder engagement, fostering high-performing teams to achieve corporate objectives.

Experienced with strategic planning and execution, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Uses strong leadership capabilities to inspire and motivate teams toward success. Track record of leveraging financial acumen and stakeholder relationships to drive business growth.

Results-oriented professional with extensive leadership experience in high-stakes environments. Skilled in strategic planning, operational optimization, and organizational growth. Known for fostering team collaboration and delivering results under changing conditions. Key strengths include strategic vision and stakeholder management.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

CEO, China & Executive Director, Asia Pacific

Bunge Limited
03.2006 - 12.2017
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by streamlining communication channels and providing customized solutions that helped grow the customer 5 folds in 10 years.
  • Developed innovative solutions to complex problems, resulting in improved organizational performance through the reduction in working capital from 1.3 Billion USD down to 350 Million USD.
  • Enhanced margins through the utilization and arbitrage of Bunge's global scope adn coverage.
  • Reviewed employee concerns and new opportunities to drive business strategies.
  • Mentored junior staff members for accelerated career growth, developing future leaders within the organization.
  • Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within budgetary constraints and deadlines.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to develop actionable strategies that aligned with corporate goals and objectives.
  • Achieved company growth by implementing strategic marketing plans and business development initiatives.
  • Expanded market presence by identifying new business opportunities and forging strategic partnerships.
  • Optimized operational efficiency by redesigning processes, systems, and workspaces for increased productivity.
  • Spearheaded company rebranding initiative, resulting in significantly improved market presence and customer engagement.
  • Negotiated favorable terms in mergers and acquisitions, significantly expanding company's market share and capabilities.
  • Drove significant growth in annual revenue by identifying and penetrating new market segments.
  • Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.

General Manager, Greater China & Korea

Cargill Inc
01.1993 - 02.2006


  • Started career at Cargill as a Grains Merchant at Cargill processing facility in Fayetteville NC. Responsibilities quickly grew to over see the risk positions of Fayetteville NC, Raleigh NC, Gainesville GA, Guntersville. Risk position exposure grew from 1 million bushels to 4 million bushels or from 158 Million USD to 633 Million USD with supervision from the GM at the facility and North American Risk MD in Minneapolis MN.
  • Was later relocated to work as a soybean pit runner at the Chicago Board of Trade or CME, managing Cargill North America's Oilseed Processing's risk orders.
  • Part of the process in the acquisition of Kraft Foodservice and Interstate Commodities, who serviced Mc Donald's oils and fat needs, from tallow, palm and other vegetable shortenings.
  • Led the merchandising and risk management of the MBU (McDonald's Business Unit), which eventually led to becoming the Western Regional Sales Manager for Cargill products to most QSRs, food manufacturers such as Marie Calenders and Jessie Lord Pies and institutional sales to hospital groups and military.
  • The success in Fullerton CA, led to the transformation and conversion of Cargill facilities in Memphis TN, Sidney OH, and Gainesville GA to serve the needs of McDonald's in the USA.
  • Relocated to China in 1996 to build out Cargill businesses in China.
  • Built, acquired and managed 4 oilseed processing facilities, assisted in the development of 33 facilities and businesses, from corn milling, animal nutrition, Juice, Chocolate, steel, fertilizer and various Food Ingredient business units in China.
  • Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
  • Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
  • Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
  • Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
  • Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
  • Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
  • Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
  • Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
  • Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
  • Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
  • Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
  • Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
  • Drove the successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
  • Cultivated strategic partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing brand credibility and access to new customer segments.
  • Oversaw successful launch of new product lines, coordinating between departments to ensure unified approach and timely delivery.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction with introduction of customer feedback system, leading to service improvements and repeat business.
  • Enhanced team collaboration and communication by introducing new project management tool, leading to more efficient project completions.
  • Pioneered corporate social responsibility program, building community engagement and enhancing brand reputation.
  • Optimized supply chain logistics, ensuring timely delivery of products and significantly reducing transportation costs.
  • Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
  • Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.

Financial Analyst

Kleinwort Benson (ACP) PLC
07.1992 - 01.1993
  • Conducted detailed financial analysis to identify and evaluate changes in operations, trends and potential areas of improvement.
  • Provided structured finance models for 60% of Cathy Pacific's 747-400 fleet, providing Cathy with a 350 Million savings
  • Worked on the IPO of Tsingtao Brewery, the first batch of 14 Chinese companies approved to go IPO, with other 5 other banks and financial institutions around the world.
  • Evaluated proposed projects'' ROI using NPV, IRR, and other financial metrics, helping prioritize initiatives with maximum value potential.

Education

Ph.D. - International Law

China University of Political Science & Law
Beijing
01-2011

Executive Program Certificate - Food & Agriculture, Executive Education Program

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
01-2008

Executive Leadership Development Program - Executive Leadership

Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO
01-2006

MBA - Management & Finance

Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
06-2002

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA
06-1992

Skills

  • Strategic planning

  • Budget management

  • Project management

  • Team building

  • Business development

  • Risk assessment

  • Negotiation skills

  • Stakeholder engagement

  • Cross-functional leadership

  • Effective decision making

  • Operational excellence

  • Customer focus

  • Strategic visioning

  • Crisis management

  • Global perspective

  • Corporate governance

  • Talent development

  • Mergers and acquisitions

  • Succession planning

  • Inspirational leadership

  • Client relationship building

  • Leadership and people development

  • Client engagement

  • Mission and vision

  • Strategic partnerships

  • Consulting

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Results orientation

  • Change management

Accomplishments

  • Grew China sales from zero in 2006 to 6 Billion USD by 2017, and APAC sales from close to zero to 1.75 Billion USD.
  • Built and acquired 10 processing facilities across China.
  • Made and exceeded target since the 1st year of operations.
  • Built and developed team from a 6 person office in China to over 3000 employees and 2000 contractors.
  • Chinese employees from all job functions were sent out to assist and support projects across Asia.
  • Built 9 processing and operational facilities in India, Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
  • Retained, developed and trained talent for all job families that met talent requirements for the expedited growth in APAC.
  • Provided key customers in each segment with customized solutions and competitive advantage that was not easily replicable by competitors.
  • Negotiated and came to an agreement with the NDRC and State Council on the size of market Bunge is able to serve in China.
  • Able to have Bunge as the only foreign partner in the State Council's work group on China's food security

Affiliations

  • Outstanding Entrepreneur & Businessman Award 2011, Shanghai Municipality
  • Asia Transformation and Turnaround Association Member 2011
  • Distinguished Alumnus Award 2017 from the University of California at Riverside for having significant Business Achievements, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Philanthropy and Dedication to Improving Education in communities.
  • Founder & Deputy Director of China Food Security Legislation Research Center, 2011

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Chinese (Mandarin)
Full Professional

Interests

  • Avid rock electric guitar player that likes to write, perform and record rock, neo-classical, blues and classical music
  • Student of history and classics from the ancient Sumerian and Babylon classics, India's Mahabharata, Greek, Roman to Chinese history and classics

Timeline

CEO, China & Executive Director, Asia Pacific

Bunge Limited
03.2006 - 12.2017

General Manager, Greater China & Korea

Cargill Inc
01.1993 - 02.2006

Financial Analyst

Kleinwort Benson (ACP) PLC
07.1992 - 01.1993

Ph.D. - International Law

China University of Political Science & Law

Executive Program Certificate - Food & Agriculture, Executive Education Program

Harvard University

Executive Leadership Development Program - Executive Leadership

Washington University in St Louis

MBA - Management & Finance

Rutgers University

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

University of California, Riverside

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Chester T Yang