Steve Schult of Blue Diamond Growers Receives Food Logistics Lifetime Achievement Award

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Food Logistics named Steve Schult, vice president of global supply chain at Blue Diamond Growers, the recipient of the 2024 Rock Stars of Supply Chain Award in the Lifetime Achievement category. The award recognizes the contributions made by Schult to global supply chains throughout his career.

Beginning with eight years of service in the United States Coast Guard to roles within niche and large food companies, Schult has spent his two-decade career building better, more efficient supply chains. In his role as vice president of global supply, Schult manages a highly integrated and complex supply chain, moving almonds from Blue Diamond's 3,000 grower farms to consumers and customers around the world. He has transformed the company's supply chain to be a "shipper of choice," providing fill-rates and on-time deliveries well above industry standards and delivering the cooperative $1 million in savings, said Blue Diamond.

Schult's leadership extends beyond Blue Diamond, as he represents the cooperative and the almond industry on the Federal Maritime Commission and the California Freight Advisory Committee.

With 80% of the global supply of almonds produced in California and nearly 70% exported worldwide, these positions allow him to continually solve complex supply chain issues while supporting California farmers and food.

"Steve is an exemplary leader and advocate for resilient supply chains, manufacturing and California almonds," said Brian Barczak, Blue Diamond chief global supply officer. "He is incredibly deserving of this award, and we are proud he is a part of the Blue Diamond team." 

Food Logistics' Lifetime Achievement category holds two requirements: recipients must have at least 10 years of documented experience working in supply chain for the food and beverage industry and must also work for a consumer-packaged goods company that has at least 5% of its cargo shipped in freight for both dry and refrigerated shipping. The award honors company leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the supply chain space and go above and beyond to improve food safety, enhance efficiency and disrupt supply chain disruptions.