The J.M. Smucker Company announced Feb. 10 a leadership restructuring that eliminates the chief operating officer position and expands responsibilities for its chief financial officer and newly created chief product supply officer role.
The Orrville, Ohio-based food manufacturer said the changes, effective Feb. 9, are designed to advance long-term growth strategy, further momentum among its brand portfolio and enhance profitability and earnings.
CEO Mark Smucker reassumed the president title and now serves as chief executive officer, president and chair of the board. John Brase, who served as president and chief operating officer, is no longer an executive officer. The company expects to enter into a separation agreement with Brase.
Expanded CFO role
Tucker Marshall, who served as CFO, was promoted to CFO and EVP for frozen handheld, spreads and sweet baked snacks. In addition to financial reporting, internal audit, tax and treasury, financial planning and analysis, investor relations and corporate development, Marshall’s oversight includes strategic leadership of U.S. retail frozen handheld and spreads, sweet baked snacks and international businesses. Marshall also now oversees the company’s sales function.
“These executive leadership updates will sharpen our focus on driving top-line growth and enhancing profitability across the company,” Mark Smucker said.
“Tucker and Rob bring extensive financial and supply chain expertise and proven track records of leading transformational work, supporting growth and organizational productivity. Tucker’s experience as chief financial officer and his enterprise-wide knowledge positions us to continue the strong momentum in frozen handheld and spreads, while also ensuring we stabilize and improve sweet baked snacks and international.”
New supply chain leadership
Rob Ferguson, who served as SVP and general manager for coffee and procurement, was promoted to chief product supply officer and EVP for coffee, pet and away from home. Ferguson oversees operations, distribution, supply chain, procurement, commodity hedging, quality assurance, research and development, and cost and productivity programs including the company’s transformation office.
The role centralizes supply chain, manufacturing and procurement functions to focus on cost management, productivity and margin expansion.
Jill Penrose, who served as chief people and company services officer, was promoted to the expanded role of chief people and administrative officer and chief of staff.
Additional leadership changes
Effective July 27, Tim Wayne will transition from SVP and general manager for away from home and international to SVP and general manager for coffee and away from home. Wayne will oversee the coffee portfolio in addition to continuing to manage the away from home business. He will report to Ferguson.
Robert Crane will move from senior vice president and head of sales and sales commercialization to SVP and head of sales and international. Crane assumes responsibilities for the international business in addition to continued leadership of sales and commercialization teams. He will report to Marshall.
Planned retirements and new searches
Randy Day, SVP of operations, and Bryan Hutson, SVP of information services and supply chain, each announced their intent to retire. Day and Hutson will remain with the organization to support transition of operations, information services and supply chain functions.
The company will commence a search to fill the new role of chief technology officer, reporting to Mark Smucker. In addition to information technology responsibilities, the role will focus on advancing the company’s artificial intelligence strategy across the enterprise.
J.M. Smucker will also search for a SVP of operations and supply chain, as well as a new SVP of science and technical community responsible for quality assurance, research and development and other technical functions. Both positions will report to Ferguson.
Financial outlook
The company expects to maintain its fiscal 2026 full-year outlook as communicated in its most recent quarterly earnings announcement from Nov. 25. J.M. Smucker will provide an update following completion of quarter-end financial close and forecast activities on its third-quarter earnings call Feb. 26.
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