JACKSON, MICH.  – Bakery and ingredients industry leader Dawn Foods has named Melissa Bautista as vice president of manufacturing for North America and promoted Emily Gittins to vice president, global corporate controller.

Bautista joins Dawn from Utz Brands Inc. and will be responsible for building Dawn’s long-term manufacturing capabilities in North America around safety, cost, quality, and service, while also helping Dawn achieve its current business objectives, according to the company. She will report to John Schmitz, president, North America.

“Melissa brings deep manufacturing experience to this role, having worked both at the plant management level and at the leadership level overseeing multiple facilities,” Schmitz said. “Her approach to leadership and industry knowledge is a strong addition to our plant management teams across our five Dawn North America manufacturing locations.”

Gittins, who has been with Dawn for 15 years, will replace Jean Rauchholz, who will retire this summer. Gittins takes this next step in her career after serving as senior director of financial reporting, accounting standards, and policies, reporting to Rauchholz.