People Moves: Imperfect Foods Brings On Dan Park as CEO

Imperfect Foods Brings On Dan Park as CEO

Online grocery shopping platform Imperfect Foods announced this month it has named Dan Park as CEO.

Park, who began in the role on January 3, comes to the company from a four-year tenure as CEO at BuildDirect Technologies, a Canadian ecommerce platform specializing in building materials. During his time with BuildDirect, Park oversaw the company’s IPO and he remains a board member. He previously held roles at Amazon and Target.

“The perfect Imperfect CEO needs world-class e-commerce skills, deep operations experience and a commitment to the brand’s mission,” said Imperfect Foods chairman Adam Berger in a press release. “I first met Dan a year ago and we have gotten to know each other. The role and timing lined up perfectly and I’m thrilled to have him lead Imperfect Foods.”

Founded in 2015 as an “ugly and surplus produce” delivery platform, Imperfect Foods aims to provide healthy and better-for-you food with a mission to eliminate food waste. As CEO, Park will also work to achieve the company’s goal of becoming a net-zero carbon emissions organization by 2030.

“Imperfect Foods is changing the face of grocery delivery, and I’m excited to be an integral part of this next chapter of the business,” Park said in the release. “We will focus on continually raising the bar of our customer experience while meeting our sustainability goals. There are certain aspects of the future that I’m concerned about, and as a part of the Imperfect Foods team, I look forward to playing an active role in improving our environment by being a good steward of our planet.”

Since its inception, the company has seen the CEO role change hands several times. After co-founder Ben Simon stepped down, citing health concerns, retail exec Philip Behn took over the position. Behn suddenly left the role in Oct 2021, with executive chairman of the board Steve Nave temporarily assuming the CEO role.

According to Business Insider, the online grocer has struggled to maintain the sales and consumer growth it saw during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. It has also expanded beyond its initial focus on produce to also embrace more staple and pantry items. Along with Behn, over the last twelve months the company saw its CFO, chief product and growth officer, chief merchandising officer and VP of product also depart.

Adam Grogan Promoted to President of Greenleaf Foods

Protein producer Maple Leaf Foods announced last week that it has promoted Adam Grogan to the role of President of its wholly-owned subsidiary Greenleaf Foods, assuming the role from retiring President Dan Curtin.

Formed in 2018, Greenleaf houses the Field Roast and Lightlife plant-based protein brands. Grogan, who joined Maple Leaf Foods in 1998 as a regional foodservice accounts manager, has most recently served as COO of Greenleaf since 2019.

Curtin, who helped create Greenleaf after Maple Leaf’s acquisition of Field Roast, intends to remain with the company as a strategic advisor to Greenleaf.

”Over the last two years, Dan and Adam have been a powerful combination, working together, learning from each other, building a strong team at Greenleaf, and creating excitement around our leading Lightlife and Field Roast brands,” said Maple Leaf Foods president and CEO Michael H. McCain in a release. “Dan is a strong leader who has been instrumental in building our Greenleaf business, and we are deeply grateful for his contributions. As Dan hands the reins to Adam, we are confident that Adam’s experience, passion for excellence and commitment to delivering winning results, make him extremely well suited to lead Greenleaf into the future.”

Campbell Soup Names KIND COO as EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer

Daniel L. Poland has been named EVP and chief supply chain officer of the Campbell Soup Company, effective today, following the retirement of 38-year company veteran Bob Furbee.

Poland comes to Campbell from KIND Snacks, where he served as COO since 2019. He previously held operations roles at Pinnacle Foods, WhiteWave Foods, and a 14-year tenure at The H.J. Heinz Company from 1999 to 2013.

“Dan has leadership experience at all levels of the CPG supply chain, from his early career as a plant manager to senior cross-functional roles across the industry,” said Campbell president and CEO Mark Clouse in a press release. “His track record of building high-performing teams and driving execution will be invaluable as we continue to deliver growth while also navigating one of the most dynamic and challenging supply chain environments in decades.”

Furbee, who joined Campbell in 1984, will remain with the company until April in order to ensure a smooth transition, the company said in the release, noting that he played a pivotal role helping the company to navigate through the challenges of the pandemic over the last two years. Over the course of his career Furbee not only helped Campbell create an integrated global supply chain to increase efficiencies but also oversaw the integration of a number of brands into the Cambell’s ecosystem.

“Bob has had a remarkable career at Campbell, spanning nearly four decades, and has been a true partner as we executed our transformation plan,” Clouse added. “He has played a crucial role as we navigated a truly unprecedented environment over the last 22 months. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in his retirement.”

More Moves from Around the Industry:

• Former Verde Farms VP of marketing Pete Lewis has joined organic beef packing company Open Range Beef as CMO, according to LinkedIn.
• The Bumble Bee Seafood Company has added Alex Drew as VP of Customer Development and Strategy.