B&G Foods has named Rob Mills as its new CEO, effective today, the Parsippany-based food company announced.
Mills, who has served on B&G Foods’ board of directors since March 2018, succeeds Casey Keller, who retired as CEO and director at the end of last week.
The appointment comes as B&G Foods works to reshape its brand portfolio, improve margins and cash flow, reduce debt and leverage, and strengthen overall business performance.
“Rob is uniquely positioned to lead B&G Foods at this important point in B&G Foods’ evolution,” Stephen Sherrill, chair of B&G Foods’ board of directors, said. “Rob’s eight years as a member of our Board give him a deep understanding of our business, our brands, our people and challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Just as importantly, Rob brings a proven ability to lead transformation, operate at scale and translate strategy into execution, which will allow him to move quickly from day one.”
Mills joins B&G Foods from Tractor Supply Company, where he held senior executive roles with increasing responsibility since 2014, most recently serving as executive vice president, chief technology officer, digital and pet services. In that role, he set the company’s technology direction, led its digital operations, and oversaw its veterinary and pet pharmacy businesses along with its Petsense retail chain. He also helped lead large-scale transformation and growth initiatives across the multibillion-dollar public company. Before Tractor Supply, Mills held senior leadership positions at Ulta Beauty and Sears Holding Corp.
“I am incredibly honored to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer at B&G Foods,” Mills said. “I look forward to partnering with B&G Foods’ very talented and dedicated workforce and the Board to build on B&G Foods’ strengths and accelerate our strategy. My immediate priorities will be execution, operating discipline and accelerating growth.”
Mills said he’s particularly focused on bringing digital, data, technology and artificial intelligence capabilities to the company.
“I believe these capabilities can help us to strengthen our core brands and our overall business performance and position B&G Foods to compete more effectively,” he said.
B&G Foods manufactures, sells and distributes shelf-stable and frozen foods across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico under more than 50 brands, including B&M, Cream of Wheat, Crisco, Ortega, Polaner and Spice Islands.
