J.M. Smucker Co. Eliminates COO Role in Major Leadership Restructure; CFO and Supply Chief Gain Category Oversight

The J.M. Smucker Co. has announced a sweeping reorganisation of its executive leadership team designed to streamline decision-making and enhance profitability. Effective February 9, the company has eliminated the role of Chief Operating Officer, resulting in the departure of John Brase. Consequently, Mark Smucker has re-assumed the title of President, serving as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chair of the Board.

The restructuring fundamentally alters the company’s reporting lines, consolidating strategic oversight of key business units under functional leaders in Finance and Supply Chain rather than a traditional operations deputy.

Finance and Supply Chain Take the Reins

In a move to drive "top-line growth and enhance profitability," two senior executives have received significant promotions with expanded operational remits:

Tucker Marshall: CFO | EVP, Frozen Handheld, Spreads, and Sweet Baked Snacks Marshall’s role has expanded far beyond traditional finance. While retaining his duties as Chief Financial Officer, he now assumes strategic leadership for:

U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads (Uncrustables, Jif, Smucker's).
Sweet Baked Snacks (Hostess Brands integration).
International Businesses.
Corporate Sales Function.

Mark Smucker noted that Marshall's remit includes a specific focus on "ensuring we stabilise and improve profitability in Sweet Baked Snacks," signalling a priority on optimising the recently acquired Hostess portfolio.

Rob Ferguson: Chief Product Supply Officer | EVP, Coffee, Pet, and Away from Home Ferguson is promoted to the newly created role of Chief Product Supply Officer. His oversight now spans the company's entire operational backbone—including supply chain, procurement, R&D, and the Transformation Office—alongside strategic leadership of the Coffee, Pet, and Away From Home business units.

Operational Innovation and AI Strategy

The company also announced plans to modernise its technological infrastructure. Smucker Co. will commence a search for a new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) reporting directly to Mark Smucker. A key mandate for this incoming executive will be "advancing the Company's artificial intelligence strategy across the enterprise," highlighting the growing importance of AI in CPG forecasting and manufacturing.

Additional searches will be launched for an SVP, Operations and Supply Chain and a new SVP, Science and Technical Community, both reporting to Ferguson.

Further Executive Movements

To support the new structure, two additional promotions were confirmed, effective July 27:

Tim Wayne will become SVP and General Manager, Coffee and Away From Home.

Robert Crane will become SVP, Head of Sales and International.

Concurrent with these changes, Jill Penrose has been promoted to Chief People and Administrative Officer | Chief of Staff, adding corporate strategy to her portfolio.

Retirements and Financial Outlook

The restructuring coincides with the planned retirements of Randy Day (SVP, Operations) and Bryan Hutson (SVP, Information Services and Supply Chain), who will stay on to support the transition.

Despite the significant leadership churn, The J.M. Smucker Co. confirmed it expects to maintain its fiscal 2026 full-year outlook as communicated in November 2025. An update will be provided during the third-quarter earnings call on February 26, 2026.