The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has officially launched a search for its next president and CEO. The leadership transition comes at a pivotal time as IDDBA continues to shape innovation and commerce across the fresh-food landscape.
IDDBA’s board of directors has retained executive search firm Herd Freed Hartz to guide the selection of the next leader. The incoming president and CEO will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for the nonprofit, which connects retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers.
“The next president and CEO will build on a strong foundation to elevate IDDBA’s influence, expand member value and position the organization for its next phase of growth,” said the search committee.
Position overview
Reporting to a 27-member board of directors, the president and CEO will oversee an organization with a staff of 21 based in Madison, Wisconsin. Key responsibilities include leading the continued evolution of IDDBA’s flagship annual tradeshow – described as a best-in-class industry event – and strengthening the organization’s visibility and industry impact.
The ideal candidate will possess 10-15 years of senior leadership experience within an association or relevant industry sector. Success in the first 24 months will be defined by an aligned strategic direction, increased member engagement and the activation of pathways for sustainable growth.
“IDDBA stands as the authority in the dairy, deli and bakery sectors,” the search committee noted. “We are looking for a commercially minded, servant leader with the heart to lead change with humility and the expertise to leverage emerging technologies and data to benefit our members.”
All confidential inquiries or expressions of interest should be directed to Fred Pabst, Food/AG Search Practice Leader of Herd Freed Hartz Executive Search, at [email protected]. A position specification is available for download on the IDDBA website.
What this means for independent grocers
For independent grocers who rely on IDDBA for industry research, networking and the annual tradeshow, the leadership transition warrants attention. IDDBA’s signature event is one of the few national shows that focuses specifically on fresh perimeter departments – dairy, deli, bakery and foodservice – which are often the highest-margin and most differentiation-driven areas for independents competing against mass merchants.
The search committee’s emphasis on “emerging technologies and data” suggests that the next leader may prioritize digital tools for fresh departments, including inventory management, shrink reduction, and labor scheduling. Independents should watch for how the new CEO balances the needs of small operators against those of large manufacturers and distributors, as IDDBA’s membership spans the entire supply chain.
Additionally, the fact that the search committee specifically seeks a “servant leader” with “humility” indicates the board values collaborative, member-focused leadership over a purely corporate approach – a dynamic that independents have historically appreciated in the association.