Senior Procurement Analyst
Kellanova (formerly Kellogg’s)
Kalamazoo, Mich.

Zach Nelson is a Sr. Procurement Analyst at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg’s), based in Battle Creek. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022, majoring in Integrated Supply Management, a supply chain-focused program.

His internship at Axia as a rising sophomore was in 2019, contributing to what became known as Axia’s Value Chain Index.  The “VCI” is a tool that Axia developed, helping companies look beyond their supply chain and assess and enhance the strategic value the value chain brings to an organization.

“We were kind of operating like a start-up company,” Zach said, describing his internship, “Everyone wore a couple hats and was willing to step in and help each other out.”

Zach’s advice for current college students is common: get involved and don’t be afraid to try things. College is a time to explore, discover what you enjoy—and just as importantly, learn what you don’t like. He’s quick to encourage students with a passion to make an impact to take initiative, even when the opportunities seem out of reach.  Such as pursuing an internship as a sophomore or junior.

“In many ways, the internship was a foundational part of my career,” he said. “I learned a lot about working in a professional environment, working collaboratively, time management skills and many critical communication skills. I was NEVER the smartest person in the room and I loved it.”