Kai Bockmann will join Blue Diamond Growers, the agricultural cooperative and global consumer packaged goods leader, as president and CEO on Jan. 17. The board selected Bockmann after working with executive search and leadership advisory firm, Egon Zehnder, to recruit and consider candidates from across the country. Bockmann will succeed Mark Jansen, who announced his plans to step down after a successful 12-year tenure as CEO.
“The search process went well, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” said board Chair Dan Cummings. “Kai has more than a quarter of a century of global experience growing CPG companies, and we believe he is the leader we need to keep building our business and brand domestically and internationally, while continuing to deliver superior returns to our grower-owners.”
Bockmann most recently served as president and COO at Saputo Inc. – one of the world’s largest dairy companies – where he led operations that included 67 plants and 18,000 employees across the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina and the United Kingdom. From 2017 to 2021, he and his team grew revenue from $11 billion to $14 billion. From 2012 to 2021, the international business he led grew from less than $500 million to more than $4 billion. Prior to Saputo Inc., Bockmann was at McCain – the world’s largest producer of frozen potatoes – where he served as president of the international division and accelerated international sales across 60 export markets, doubling revenues over four years.
“I’m excited by this phenomenal opportunity to join one of the most consistent and fastest-growing food and beverage companies in the world,” said Bockmann. “I look forward to learning from growers and team members and keeping our immediate focus on maintaining business continuity and growth momentum.”
“We’re grateful for Mark’s support during the search and his commitment to helping set Kai and the cooperative up for continued success,” said Cummings. “We’re building from 112 years of success, and we know the future is bright for Blue Diamond because no one knows how to get almonds from growers’ farms to families worldwide better than us.”
Cummings said Blue Diamond’s snack almond business has more than a 50 percent market share in the United States and that Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze is the leading almondmilk brand in the United States, South Korea, Thailand, Brazil and South Africa. In 2021, the company’s net sales totaled $1.6 billion.
For news of interest to the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise is back in The Big Game for 2023 with a 30-second spot that will premiere in the third quarter. The brand will advertise for the third consecutive year, driving awareness around the important issue of food waste at home and encouraging people to act and “Make Taste, Not Waste.”
