Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo

Joe JohnstonJoe Johnston
SVP of Engineering and Operations
Meati Foods

Joe Johnston is an engineering and supply chain executive in the healthy food space who specializes in leading people, scaling-up processes, and expanding capacity. In February of 2023, he joined Meati as the SVP of Engineering and Operations. Meati’s team is at the intersection of emerging biotechnology (precision fermentation) and the alternative meat industry. The company is building a brand from scratch and Joe’s team is building a world-class, sustainable operation to support it.
Joe started his career at The Clorox Company, nearly twenty years ago, where he worked on process development for Armor All product line. In 2008, he moved on to Campbell Soup Company’s WHQ Engineering Group where he installed equipment for Campbell’s Chunky Soup, Prego Pasta Sauce, and Swanson Chicken Broth in various manufacturing plants. In 2012, he decided to join a rapidly growing leader in plant-based dips and spreads, Sabra Dipping Company. Over the next decade he took on diverse leadership roles in Global Engineering, North America Operations, and eventually the end-to-end North America Supply Chain. While at Sabra, he expanded the VA plant by 150%, built their first Organic Hummus Line, and oversaw the manufacturing and distribution of over 100 SKUs of salsa, guacamole, and hummus.
Joe, a native of Gary, Indiana, and graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University. Outside of work, he enjoys lifting weights, diverse cuisine, and international travel with his wife of 15 years and his two sons.