NORTHFIELD, IL
Kraft Foods Group has announced that Sam Rovit, Executive Vice President of Strategy, has been named Executive Vice President and President of the company’s Oscar Mayer business unit. Rovit succeeds Nick Meriggioli, who will be leaving the organization in early 2014. Rovit will continue to oversee the strategy function while the company conducts a search for its next Executive Vice President, according to a press release.
As Kraft’s head of strategy, Rovit architected the separation of the former Kraft Foods Inc. into two standalone, public companies – Kraft Foods Group and Mondelez International. Following the launch of the new Kraft in October 2012, Rovit added the Planters nuts business to a portfolio of responsibilities that included strategy, corporate development, information systems, and business process excellence. Under his leadership, Planters transformed its business model, which led to brand share growth for the first time in nearly two years.
“Sam is an accomplished strategist with CEO experience in the meat industry,” said Tony Vernon, CEO of Kraft. “He is a transformational thinker who has a unique ability to look at every aspect of the business, ask the hard questions and bring something new to the table. Sam is a great choice to lead Oscar Meyer into the future.”
Meriggioli has had a long and distinguished career with Kraft. He joined the company in 1987 and spent the past 7 years in Madison, WI as Executive Vice President and President of Oscar Mayer. He championed innovation with the launch of Oscar Mayer Selects and led the rejuvenation of the Lunchables franchise during his time with the company.
“Nick is a leader and mentor at Oscar Mayer, at Kraft and in the meat industry,” said Vernon. “Right now, Nick and his family have such strong ties to the Madison community that other opportunities at Kraft were not a possibility for him. We thank Nick for his many contributions to the company.”
DeliMarket TV would like to congratulate Sam Rovit on his new position and we also wish Nick Meriggioli the best of luck in his continued successful career!
