Gardena, California, United States, September 3, 2024 — Nissin Foods USA, the creator of the original Top Ramen® and Cup Noodles®, has announced the appointment of Karen Robinson as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Robinson will play a pivotal role in cultivating Nissin Foods’ culture and purpose, building a world-class HR function, and reinforcing the company’s reputation as a great place to work.
Robinson is a seasoned, people-first leader with a track record of driving performance and managing large-scale growth across various industries. In her new role, she will oversee all HR-related programs for Nissin Foods USA, including employee development, internal culture, training, and corporate social responsibility. Additionally, she will establish hiring practices for the company’s third U.S. manufacturing plant in Greenville County, South Carolina, set to open in 2025.
Brian Huff, President and CEO of Nissin Foods USA, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment: “As we embark on the next phase of growth and expansion of the Nissin brand in the United States, it was critical to have the right leadership join our team; one that embodies our commitment to diversity and excellence. With over 25 years of experience in organizational design and human resources across diverse industries, including consumer goods, manufacturing, and aerospace, Karen is renowned for leading multinational organizations through transformation and driving a performance-based culture. Her expertise will be instrumental in designing our people strategy and building a strong pipeline of talent, unlocking our potential for long-term growth as a global enterprise. We proudly welcome Karen to the Nissin family.”
Robinson previously held HR executive roles at Exemplis, Amplify Education, Apollo Education Group, Eaton, and Boeing. Commenting on her new role, she said, “I’m excited to be joining an iconic company like Nissin that is rooted in values, as well as a commitment to innovation and sustainability. My goal is to support and empower our employees, ensuring we achieve our objectives while creating a diverse environment where everyone can thrive, take bold approaches, and deliver their best work.”
Karen Robinson brings a wealth of experience to her new role at Nissin Foods. Most recently, she served as SVP People Experience at Amplify for approximately 1 year and 5 months, where she led HR transformation efforts for the fast-growing EdTech company. Prior to that, she was the Chief Human Resources Officer and ESG Leader at Exemplis LLC for 2 years and 2 months, overseeing HR and ESG functions for a diverse portfolio of brands. Karen also held the position of VP of Human Resources at Exemplis LLC for 6 years and 6 months, where she was instrumental in building HR capabilities and managing talent strategies.
Her earlier roles include Senior Director of Human Resources at Apollo Education Group, where she led HR functions for the University of Phoenix Campus Services division for 2 years, and Human Resources Manager at Eaton Corporation, managing global manufacturing operations for nearly 1 year. Karen’s career began at Boeing, where she worked for over 6 years in various HR and organizational effectiveness roles.
Founded in 1958, Nissin Foods is renowned for creating the world’s first instant noodles. The company’s innovative spirit led to the introduction of Cup Noodles® and Top Ramen® in the U.S., revolutionizing the instant noodle market. Nissin Foods USA, based in Gardena, California, has continued to expand its presence and impact, creating job opportunities and delighting consumers with its iconic noodle products.
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