Turkey Hill has appointed former Campbell Soup Co. vice president Jim Sterbenz as the US-based ice cream firm’s chief commercial officer.

Sterbenz will oversee all the commercial operations at Pennsylvania-based Turkey Hill, including sales, product development and marketing, according to a statement. He will report to chief executive Tom Hopkins, who only joined the business last year.

As well as ice cream, Turkey Hill manufactures frozen dairy products, fruit drinks and ice teas. US retail giant Kroger sold the business in 2019 to an affiliate of private-equity firm Peak Rock Capital for an undisclosed sum, before announcing plans to expand capacity in ice cream and refrigerated drinks.

Hopkins said: “Jim brings significant food and beverage experience and will be an invaluable resource to our blue-chip customer base and business partners. Jim is joining Turkey Hill at a very exciting time, as we expand into new geographies while driving product innovation, all to support increasing demand from our loyal consumer base.”  

The new COO was most recently senior vice president for sales at Campbell. He has also previously held senior sales positions at chocolate maker Godiva, Master Foods USA, the former Kraft Foods business and Nabisco Foods Group.

Sterbenz commented: “Turkey Hill is a leading brand within the ice cream and refrigerated drink categories and has the resources and the management commitment to rapidly expand and continue providing industry-leading service to our valued customers. I am excited to join the team and look forward to driving accelerated growth and innovation.”

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