The Hershey Co. announced that Mary Beth West will be its new senior vice-president and chief growth officer, joining the company May 1. In this role, she will oversee the company’s growth strategy, including insights and analytics, strategy, marketing excellence functions, innovation, research and development, mergers and acquisitions, and the Hershey experience.
“Mary Beth will be a great addition to our executive team,” says Michele Buck, Hershey’s chief executive officer. “She is an accomplished business leader who is considered one of the best food executives and marketers in the industry. Her deep experience in growing some of the world’s best-known consumer brands and demonstrated ability to transform consumer engagement will be a tremendous asset to Hershey as we chart our growth agenda.”
West brings 30 years of executive and marketing leadership to the company. She comes to Hershey from J.C. Penney Co., where she was responsible for revitalizing the JCPenney brand. For more than 20 years she led multibillion dollar businesses and marketing at Mondelez International in roles including chief category and marketing officer and president of both its North American beverage and grocery businesses.