LENEXA, KAS. — Caravan Ingredients has signed a category management partnership with DePaul University’s Center for Sales Leadership. The DePaul Center for Sales Leadership launched the category management professional development track in 2009 to provide a continuing source of talent for consumer packaged good retailers and manufacturers.

As part of the partnership, Jim Wells, program sponsor and national insight manager at Caravan Ingredients, will join DePaul University’s Center for Sales Leadership advisory board and Category Management Council. In his new role, Mr. Wells will provide technical expertise in category management and consumer insight to develop course curriculum, establish criteria for category management training, and evaluate the overall success of the category management program. He also will participate as a guest lecturer, providing class content and working directly with students.

"We are extremely excited for Jim Wells and Caravan Ingredients to participate in this program," said Ron Savelli, chief executive officer of Caravan Ingredients. "This supports Caravan’s continued commitment to our industry and its future leaders. This relationship will not only benefit our customers but Caravan as we continue to enhance our value added capabilities."

Dan Strunk, managing director of the Center for Sales Leadership, added, "The input our students receive from industry leaders like Jim Wells is essential to successfully preparing them for the challenges of careers in the category management industry today. What makes our program different is that students receive input on category management issues from both our retail and manufacturing partners. The learning experience is extraordinary. Our students truly learn to see business solutions that benefit categories and not just one channel partner. We have professionals like Jim to thank for that."