Mills joins Canterbury from Dean Foods, where he spent the past four years as Vice President of Commercial Finance. Mills has extensive experience leading finance, accounting and supply chain operations in private-equity owned companies, including working as CFO for nutritional company Genesis Today and as Vice President of Finance and Operations at Advanced Beauty. Mills began his finance career at PepsiCo’s Frito Lay division, where he spent 12 years in roles of increasing responsibility, lastly as Director of Operations Finance, Strategy and Sustainability.
In his new role, Mills will provide fiscal leadership over Canterbury Group’s standard and alternative financial products as well as portfolio companies, including Ennoble Beverages (United States); Jamaican Herb House and Jamaican Brew House (Jamaica); and Caribbean Pharmacy and Natural Wellness Centre (Cayman Islands). Mills will be based out of the company’s newly-established office in Dallas, Texas, and will report to Canterbury’s Founder and CEO Erin Winczura.
“Scott is a proven leader who brings world-class commercial and operational financial experience that will contribute to Canterbury Group’s continued growth,” said Erin Winczura, Founder and CEO of Canterbury Group. “As he joins our team of visionary and hands-on leaders, I’m particularly excited about his consumer experience and the role he’ll play nurturing our innovative portfolio companies and brands, such as Tipsy Tomato.”
“Having worked across a variety of consumer companies, Canterbury Group’s portfolio of beverage, wellness and leading cannabis products presents a unique opportunity,” said Mills. “I look forward to being a part of a well-run company that is a true innovator not only in the beverage space, but also in the world of recreational and medical cannabis.”
At Dean Foods, Mills served as a financial advisor and partner to the CEO, CFO, and Chief Sales Officer. He oversaw a team of more than 50 people and provided financial leadership for annual operating plans, forecasts, RFP’s, trade program architecture, and development of customer P&L’s.
Before joining Dean Foods, Mills served as Vice President of Finance and Operations at Advanced Beauty, working as a strategic partner to the CEO on day-to-day business and financial operations. At Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Mills served in a variety of roles across accounting, commercial and supply chain finance. Mills previously also held financial posts at Radio Shack and Brinker International.
The new corporate office in Dallas will serve as the U.S. center of operations for Canterbury. In addition to Mills, Canterbury Group’s newly established office will house Canterbury’s Chief Marketing Officer, Jennifer Hirschfeld, as well as her team. Hirschfeld has extensive national and international brand marketing experience across multiple retail channels and diverse categories, including health & beauty, alcohol beverage and fashion retail. She previously held roles at Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co., Fossil, Inc., The Gambrinus Company and worked alongside Mills at Advanced Beauty.