PreGel America, the North American headquarters of Italian-based specialty dessert ingredient manufacturer PreGel S.p.A., has named a  director of operations — a new position for the company.

John Gibson, a PreGel America employee since 2013, was promoted from his previous job as production manager.

Gibson, who has more than 25 years of experience in the dessert industry, will make decisions for operational activities and set strategic goals; plan and monitor the day-to-day running of the operation; supervise managers from different departments, including Distribution, Import/Export, Procurement, Manufacturing, Food Science and R & D; and regularly evaluate the efficiency of business procedures.

"In order to optimize the structure within our organization, I decided to create a new position, director of operations, to oversee logistics, procurement, and production, and ensure overall efficiency," says Marco Casol, CEO of Concord, North Carolina-based PreGel America. "Based on his professional experience, achievements, and stellar performance as production manager, I felt that John Gibson was the best fit for the position.”