John Brase assumes responsibility for the US coffee, food and pet food manufacturer’s sales, operations and supply chain teams, having driven significant cost savings and productivity improvements across the last few years
Ohio-based J.M. Smucker has promoted John Brase to President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.
Brase joined the coffee, food and pet food manufacturer as Chief Operating Officer in April 2020, having held several senior positions at US consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble over a 25-year spell.
In his expanded role, Brase will oversee J.M. Smucker’s US Retail Coffee, US Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads, US Retail Pet Foods and Sweet Baked Snacks segments, as well as its International and Away from Home businesses. He will also support the company’s sales, operations and supply chain teams and represent J.M. Smucker at global events and industry associations.
“This promotion acknowledges the breadth of John’s responsibilities and the positive impact he’s had on our business performance over the past five years. It also supports the ongoing development of our executive talent, as we continue to position the organisation for long-term growth and success,” said CEO Mark Smucker.
In a press release, J.M. Smucker credited Brase with ‘sharpening the strategic and operational execution’ of its brand portfolio, which includes the Folgers, Café Bustelo and licensed Dunkin’ at-home packaged coffee ranges.
Brase also played a leading role in the formation of J.M. Smucker’s Transformation Office, which has generated significant cost savings and productivity improvements across the business.
J.M. Smucker’s group sales fell 2% in its third quarter ended 31 January 2025 to $2.2bn. However, US Coffee segment sales grew 2% year-on-year to $740.6m, primarily driven by higher pricing for its key Folgers and Café Bustelo brands.
