HR alert (I): Summer leadership appointments across pet manufacturers and suppliers

Companies are bringing in seasoned executives and reorganizing senior responsibilities across commercial operations, branding, digital development and other key functions.

Mars Pet Nutrition 

Mars has announced the appointment of Christina Ruggiero as Regional President of Mars Pet Nutrition North America, effective 1 July. In her new role, Ruggiero will lead one of Mars Petcare’s largest business units, overseeing operations across the United States and Canada. 

The Virginia-headquartered company said she will focus on driving omnichannel growth and digital acceleration, while strengthening collaboration with retailers, suppliers, agencies and industry partners. 

Ruggiero joins Mars from The Coca-Cola Company, where she most recently served as President of the Global Nutrition Category, leading a $9 billion portfolio. Prior to this role, Ruggiero served as President of North America Operations for Coca-Cola’s Central Zone. 

She also spent nearly four years in India as Chairperson and CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, the company’s primary bottling and distribution partner in the country.

Freshpet

Freshpet has announced that President and Co-Founder Scott Morris will transition to an advisory role on 20 October. Nicki Baty, the company’s COO, will assume the role of President while continuing to serve as COO.

Baty will continue to report to CEO Billy Cyr and oversee the company’s commercial operations and supply chain. Meanwhile, Morris’s innovation responsibilities will transition to a newly created Chief Innovation Officer role.

In addition, Freshpet has promoted Chief Human Resources Officer Thembi Machaba to take on the additional role of Chief Administrative Officer. Machaba will also oversee the company’s sustainability initiatives, community relations, property management, corporate security and key management processes.

According to the American fresh pet food producer, the leadership transition is part of a succession plan that has been underway for several years.

Inspired Pet Nutrition

Taz Hussain has been appointed CCO of British pet food manufacturer Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN). With more than 2 decades of global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) experience, Hussain will oversee IPN’s commercial strategy, sales, customer partnerships, revenue growth and market expansion.

Prior to his appointment, Hussain served as Commercial Director at McCain Foods, a Canadian multinational frozen food company. He also spent 8 years at Kraft Heinz, where he most recently served as Head of Global Strategy Delivery.

Earlier in his career, Hussain spent 5 years at US multinational consumer goods company Procter & Gamble, where he held roles including Market Strategy & Planning Manager and National Account Manager.

ADM

On 17 August, Jeff Rowe will assume the newly created role of Executive Vice President (EVP) and COO at American food processor ADM.

Rowe will lead ADM’s commercial businesses, global manufacturing and research and development (R&D) efforts, reporting directly to Juan Luciano, the company’s Chair of the Board and CEO. 

Most recently, he served as CEO of Syngenta Group, a Swiss agricultural technology company. 

The executive also spent over 2 decades at DuPont Pioneer, a US-based agricultural science firm, where he held various leadership positions such as VP of Strategic Planning and Regional Director for Europe.

Phillips Pet Food & Supplies

The pet specialty distributor has appointed Nick Christensen, currently President, as CEO, while Blaine Phillips has transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman, effective 27 July.

Christensen brings more than 2 decades of industry experience, including previous roles at C&S Wholesale Grocers’ Western Region and United Natural Foods. He joined Phillips Pet Food & Supplies in 2021 as Senior VP of Operations, was subsequently promoted to COO and, most recently, President.

As Executive Chairman, Blaine Phillips will remain involved in the company’s strategic direction, board governance and key relationships with stakeholders, vendors and customers. He has spent 40 years with the company and has served as CEO since 2021.

Scenthound

Florida-based dog wellness and grooming franchise Scenthound has appointed 3 executives to its leadership team. Summer Nunn joins as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Michael Chin as Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Jake Singleton as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Nunn will lead the company’s commercial strategy, overseeing pricing, membership packaging, partnerships, promotions and marketing initiatives. She previously served as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at NearU Services, a US-based home services company.

Meanwhile, Chin, who was most recently Vice President of Growth at pet hospitality brand GoDog, will be responsible for franchise development, real estate strategy and market expansion.

Bringing more than 20 years of finance and accounting experience, Singleton will oversee the company’s financial strategy and planning, including accounting, treasury and capital allocation. Prior to his appointment, he was CFO at The Joint Chiropractic, the largest operator, manager and franchisor of chiropractic clinics in the US.

“We’re building a national brand centered on routine dog wellness, and that requires leadership that understands how to scale thoughtfully while improving the customer experience at every level,” says Tim Vogel, CEO of Scenthound.

Native Pet

Native Pet has appointed Ariel Stoddard as its first CMO to lead the company’s marketing strategy as it enters its next phase of growth. Before joining the company, Stoddard served as President of MeUndies, an online clothing and lifestyle brand.

“Ariel has an incredible track record of building iconic consumer brands while driving meaningful business growth. More importantly, she deeply understands how to create brands that people don’t just buy, they believe in,” Daniel Schaefer, Co-Founder of Native Pet, said in a LinkedIn post.

Founded in 2017, the clean-label pet nutrition and wellness brand offers natural and limited-ingredient supplements and food toppers primarily for dogs.

Ceva Animal Health

The animal health company has appointed Laura Correro as Senior VP for the Companion Animals franchise, while Jean-Marcel Ciet, Executive VP for Global Companion Animals, will relocate to the operational base of Ceva’s commercial subsidiary in the United States.

According to the company, the leadership changes reflect its commitment to investing in the talent, structure and geographic presence needed to remain competitive in the pet market.

Correro brings more than 2 decades of experience in global marketing, sales and profit-and-loss (P&L) management across the animal health and consumer health industries. She previously served as Head of Franchises Pet Therapeutics at Boehringer Ingelheim.

In her new role, Correro will drive growth across the veterinary channel and accelerate the development of a multichannel product portfolio, with a particular focus on improving Ceva’s presence in key international markets. Meanwhile, Ciet will oversee the acceleration of the company’s pet strategy in the US.

“The companion animals segment is a key area of development for Ceva, and the United States plays a central role in this landscape. With these decisions, we are strengthening both our leadership and our presence in a market that is highly competitive and fast-moving,” says Sébastien Huron, Deputy CEO of Ceva Animal Health.