B&G Foods Inc. has appointed Robert D. “Rob” Mills president and CEO, effective Aug. 10, elevating a director to the top role who has served on its board since March 2018.
Mills succeeds Kenneth C. “Casey” Keller, who retired Aug. 7 after five years leading the Parsippany, New Jersey-based company.
Mills joins from Tractor Supply Co., where he had held senior roles since 2014 and most recently served as EVP, chief technology officer, digital and pet services. In that job he set technology direction for the retailer, led digital operations and ran its veterinary, pet pharmacy and Petsense retail businesses, with direct P&L accountability. He previously held senior positions at Ulta Beauty Inc. and Sears Holdings Corp.
“Throughout my career, I have seen how digital, data, technology and increasingly artificial intelligence can be used to drive growth, improve productivity, make faster and better decisions and transform how companies operate,” Mills said. “Combined with disciplined portfolio management, capital allocation and a relentless focus on execution, I believe these capabilities can help us to strengthen our core brands and our overall business performance.”
He added that his immediate priorities are execution, operating discipline and accelerating growth, and acknowledged the company has “work to do.”
A portfolio in transition
B&G Foods has been undergoing portfolio changes over the past few years. It completed the divestiture of its Green Giant U.S. frozen business on March 2 and closed on the College Inn and Kitchen Basics broth brands, acquired for $110 million out of Del Monte Foods’ Chapter 11 proceedings, on March 19. The company also sold its Le Sueur brand to McCall Farms in 2025 and its Green Giant shelf-stable line to Seneca Foods in 2023.
Board Chair Stephen C. Sherrill pointed to Mills’ tenure as a director as an asset.
“Rob’s eight years as a member of our board give him a deep understanding of our business, our brands, our people and challenges and opportunities ahead of us,” he said. “Just as importantly, Rob brings a proven ability to lead transformation, operate at scale and translate strategy into execution, which will allow him to move quickly from day one.”
B&G Foods manufactures, sells and distributes branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, with a portfolio of more than 50 brands including B&M, Bear Creek, College Inn, Cream of Wheat, Crisco, Dash, Kitchen Basics, Las Palmas, Mama Mary’s, Maple Grove Farms, New York Style, Ortega, Polaner, Spice Islands and Victoria. The company trades on the NYSE under BGS.