ORRVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The J. M. Smucker
Company (NYSE: SJM) today announced an evolution of its executive
leadership structure and team reporting to President and Chief
Executive Officer, Mark Smucker.
The new executive leadership structure, effective November 25, 2019, is designed to sharpen the
Company's focus on strategic initiatives, enhance accountability
for business delivery, streamline decision making and enable
greater agility to ensure delivery of strategic and financial
priorities.
"This planned evolution of our leadership structure is an
important step to ensure we are positioned to meet and exceed the
needs of today and tomorrow's retailers and consumers," said
Smucker. "The Board of Directors and I are confident the changes we
are making will strengthen our Company and ensure each of our 7,591
talented employees are empowered and focused on delivering our
strategy, which creates value for our shareholders and all
constituents."
The Company also announced separately today that Vice Chair and
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mark
Belgya, will retire September 1,
2020, and Tucker Marshall,
Vice President, Finance, will succeed Belgya as CFO following the
completion of the current fiscal year on May
1, 2020.
New Executive Leadership Structure and Roles
Chief Operating Officer
The Company has announced the establishment of a Chief Operating
Officer role and commenced a search process, inclusive of external
candidates. This position will provide strategic and operational
oversight of the Company's U.S. Pet Food and Pet Snacks, Coffee,
Consumer Foods and North American Away From Home businesses, as
well as its Operations and Supply Chain functions.
Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer
Geoff Tanner, Senior Vice President,
Growth and Consumer Engagement, has been elected Chief Marketing
and Commercial Officer. In this role, Tanner will continue to lead
the Company's Marketing, Innovation, Insights and eCommerce
functions, while expanding his responsibilities to include the U.S.
Retail Sales and Market Development functions.
"Geoff is a highly talented, creative and transformative
leader," said Smucker. "The creation of the Chief Marketing and
Commercial Officer role, and Geoff's leadership, will bring a more
strategic, integrated and effective approach to how we go to market
and grow our brands."
Chief People and Administrative Officer
Jill Penrose, Senior Vice President,
Human Resources and Corporate Communications, has been elected
Chief People and Administrative Officer. In this role, Penrose will
continue to lead the evolution and further integration of the
Company's administrative functions, including Human Resources,
Corporate Communications, Government Relations, Corporate
Sustainability, Charitable Giving and Corporate Services, while
expanding her responsibilities to include Information Services.
Chief Strategy and International Officer
Amy Held, Senior Vice President,
Corporate Strategy, M&A and International, has been elected
Chief Strategy and International Officer. In this role, Held will
continue to lead the Company's Corporate Strategy, M&A and
International functions.
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary
Jeannette Knudsen, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, has been elected Chief
Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary. In this role, Knudsen
will continue to lead the Company's Legal, Regulatory, Compliance
and Risk Management functions.
Chief Financial Officer
Tucker Marshall, Vice President,
Finance, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Deputy CFO
and elected an Officer of the Company, effective November 25, 2019. He will succeed Belgya as CFO
May 1, 2020, following the completion
of the current fiscal year.
As part of these executive leadership changes, Dave Lemmon, President, Pet Food and Pet Snacks,
and Kevin Jackson, Senior Vice
President, U.S. Retail Sales and Away From Home, are no longer in
leadership roles, effective today, and will officially be exiting
the Company in early December. The Company has initiated a search
process for both roles, inclusive of external candidates. The Pet
Food and Pet Snacks business will be led on an interim basis by
Rob Ferguson, Senior Vice President,
Pet Food and Pet Snacks (Interim) and Supply Chain. Ferguson has
more than 14 years of management experience in the pet category and
a proven track record of delivering results. Ferguson will receive
counsel from Jeff Watters, former
President and CEO of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, who will bring more
than 12 years of experience in the pet food category to his new
role as a strategic advisor.
Newly Elected Company Officer
Lindsey Tomaszewski, Vice President, Talent and
Organization Excellence, has been promoted to Senior Vice
President, Human Resources, and an elected Officer of the Company,
effective November 25, 2019.
Tomaszewski joined the Company in 2013 and has assumed human
resource leadership positions of increasing responsibility,
including overseeing Organization Business Partners, Talent
Acquisition, Organization Development and HR Communications. Prior
to joining Smucker, she held senior human resource positions at PNC
Financial Services and National City Corporation. She will continue
reporting to Penrose.
About The J. M. Smucker Company
Inspired by more than
120 years of business success and five generations of family
leadership, The J. M. Smucker Company makes food that people and
pets love. The Company's portfolio of 40+ brands, which are found
in 90 percent of U.S. homes and countless restaurants, include
iconic products consumers have always loved such as
Folgers®, Jif® and
Milk-Bone® plus new favorites like Café
Bustelo®, Smucker's®
Uncrustables® and Rachael
Ray™ Nutrish®. Over the past two
decades, the Company has grown rapidly by thoughtfully acquiring
leading and emerging brands, while ensuring the business has a
positive impact on its 7,000+ employees, the communities it is a
part of and the planet. For more information about The J. M.
Smucker Company, visit jmsmucker.com.
The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks
referenced herein except for Rachael
Ray®, a registered trademark of Ray Marks Co.
LLC, which is used under license.
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SOURCE The J. M. Smucker Company