In early April, the executive management of Danish Crown announced that it would divide Danish Crown Business Unit into three business units, each with a turnover in the billions: Industry, Foods, and UK. At the same time, a process was launched to find three new executives, and the first one is now in place. Jens Peter Clausen has been appointed as Executive Vice President and overall responsible for Danish Crown Industry.
" We’ve made a real scoop by hiring Jens Peter Clausen, who is returning to Denmark after a long and impressive career in the US. He is an exceptionally competent international executive with proven experience in driving positive changes, among other things with the use of new technologies, in some of the world’s largest, production-intensive companies," says Group CEO Niels Ulrich Duedahl. He continues:
"I know Jens Peter as a formidable leader. Now he will oversee our largest business unit, with a turnover of over DKK 17 billion. His task will be to ensure operational performance - from when the pigs are picked up from the farms until the products are sold and leave the abattoirs - and to drive the development of the entire business unit. He must ensure that our abattoirs are top-efficient and work to strengthen our position in sales to our industrial customers, for the benefit of the overall value creation in the group," explains Niels Ulrich Duedahl.
Back to Denmark and one of the most exciting turnarounds in Danish business
Jens Peter Clausen most recently served as Executive Vice President for Global Manufacturing at General Motors - a pivotal role where he was responsible for the strategic direction and operational performance of a global manufacturing network. Prior to General Motors, he held significant top positions at Google, Tesla, and LEGO, both in Denmark and abroad.
"My family and I have long wanted to return to Denmark, and in my view, Danish Crown is one of the most exciting companies in Danish business right now. That’s why I look forward to using this role to help develop Danish Crown while working closely with Niels Ulrich Duedahl, with whom I have worked previously in my career," says Jens Peter Clausen.
An important role in the company’s Global Management Team
Jens Peter Clausen will start his new role on August 1. In addition to being appointed head of Danish Crown Industry, he will also join Danish Crown’s Global Management Team alongside the other top executives from the group’s eight business units. Here, too, he is expected to play a special role, says Niels Ulrich Duedahl.
“It’s fantastic that Jens Peter can start right after the summer holidays. This means that he can help shape the group’s strategic direction. He will be at the forefront of optimising our complex production processes and implementing new technologies. In this way, we will strengthen value creation across our business units,” says Niels Ulrich Duedahl.
Jens Peter Clausen is looking forward to starting the job and getting to know the organisation.
“Experience has taught me that organisations succeed best when employees thrive, feel ownership of their tasks, and have opportunities to develop. I’m excited to help move Danish Crown forward together with my new colleagues,” says Jens Peter Clausen.
Jens Peter Clausen will move to Aarhus with his family at the end of July and will start at Danish Crown on August 1.
CV Jens Peter Clausen
Experiences
General Motors | Detroit, MI, USA | EVP, Global Manufacturing | April 2024 – Present
Google | Sunnyvale, CA, USA | VP, Engineering | October 2019 – April 2024
Zymergen, Inc. | Emeryville, CA, USA | SVP, Global Manufacturing | January 2019 – October 2019
Tesla | USA | VP at Gigafactory 1 | July 2015 – January 2019
LEGO Group | Monterrey Area, Mexico | General Manager, SVP | May 2012 – June 2015
LEGO Group | Hungary | General Manager, VP | August 2008 – May 2012
LEGO Group | Billund, Denmark | Director, Process Innovation | August 2007 – August 2008
LEGO Group | Billund, Denmark | Production Manager, Manufacturing | November 2001 – August 2007
Education
Aalborg University | Aalborg, Denmark | Masters, MMT Innovation & Technology | 2006 - 2008
Aalborg University | Aalborg, Denmark | Diploma, Organizational Leadership | 2003 - 2005
Aarhus University | Aarhus, Denmark | Bachelors, Engineering Production | 1991 - 1995