Hormel Foods Corporation today announced several leadership appointments. James M. Splinter has been appointed to the position of group vice president, corporate strategy.
In this new role, Splinter will have responsibility for leading the company’s strategic growth areas including innovation, corporate development and strategy, consumer insights and building the company’s digital and e-commerce capabilities across the enterprise. Splinter will report to James P. Snee, president and chief operating officer who will assume the post of chief executive officer on October 31.
“The growth of Hormel Foods is a product of our continued focus on our formula for success as we grow our portfolio of leading consumer brands, accelerate innovation, complete evolutionary acquisitions and build our balanced portfolio,” said Snee.
“Jim Splinter has led impressive growth in our Grocery Products segment by expanding our legacy product portfolio, heading up the recent acquisitions of the SKIPPY® and Justin’s® brands and overseeing our MegaMex Foods joint venture. In this new role, Jim will be focused on enhancing our business model, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, across our entire portfolio. He will also provide visionary leadership for our e-commerce capabilities, working closely with our customers to ensure that consumers have access to our products around the world, right from their devices.”
In addition to Splinter’s appointment, the company also announced that Luis G. Marconi will be elevated to group vice president, grocery products. Marconi will be responsible for the leadership of the company’s grocery business and will oversee its vast portfolio of branded grocery products including the SPAM® family of products, SKIPPY® peanut butter products, Hormel® chili, the MegaMex portfolio and Justin’s® nut butters. Marconi has provided extensive leadership over the company’s strategic product pillars of global, multicultural, healthy/holistic and on-the-go products. Marconi will report to Steven G. Binder, executive vice president and president, Hormel business units.
Steven J. Venenga was named vice president, grocery products marketing. Venenga will work closely with Marconi to elevate the company’s Grocery Products portfolio. Working closely with the brand managers, Venenga will oversee the extensive and growing portfolio of grocery products brands. He will be responsible for driving the segment’s marketing efforts, setting brand strategy and leading the brand and marketing teams. Venenga will report to Marconi.
Swen Neufeldt has been named vice president, meat products marketing. In this role, Neufeldt will lead the strategic marketing efforts for the company’s growing meat products business, including Hormel® Black Label® bacon, Hormel® Natural Choice® products, Hormel® REV® wraps and new Hormel® REV® Bites. Neufeldt most recently held the post of president, Hormel Foods International, Asia Pacific, where he led the company’s international expansion in China.
“Congratulations to Jim, Luis, Steve and Swen on their appointments,” said Snee. “Each of these individuals brings significant leadership experience, unparalleled business acumen and a focused dedication to our customers and consumers. I look forward to working with them in their new roles as we continue to bring enhanced growth and success to the company.”
Source: Hormel Foods
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Schai – who is the current CEO of Swiss chocolate company Lindt & Sprüngli’s Australian operation – has previously worked with Aryzta from 2015-2018, where he served in roles including managing director for Asia Pacific and global strategic business lead (McDonald’s). The fast-food giant McDonald’s is one of Aryzta’s significant clients.
