Hormel Foods has named James Splinter, vice president of the US group’s grocery products business, as vice president of corporate strategy.

In this new role, Splinter will have responsibility for leading the company’s “strategic growth areas”, Hormel said. The company identified these as corporate development and strategy, consumer insights and building the company’s digital and e-commerce capabilities. 

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The appointment comes in the wake of news James Snee, president and chief operating officer, will replace Jeffrey Ettinger as chief executive officer at the end of October. Splinter will report directly to Snee, Hormel revealed. 

“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,” Snee said. “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.”

Snee stressed in his new role Splinter will focus on “enhancing our business model, both organically and through strategic acquisitions” across our entire portfolio. 

On e-commerce, Splinter will he tasked with ensuring consumers have access to Hormel products “around the world, right from their devices”, Snee revealed. 

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Luis Marconi, currently VP for grocery marketing, will replace Splinter as group vice president, grocery products. He will report to Steven G. Binder, executive vice president and president, Hormel business units. 

Steven Venenga will take over as vice president, grocery products marketing. Venenga’s current role, VP of meat products marketing, will be filled by Swen Neufeldt. 

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