Nestlé appoints Martin Thompson as Chief Executive Officer and U.S. Market Head

USA – Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, has appointed Martin Thompson as Chief Executive Officer and U.S. Market Head, effective January 1, 2025.

With over 35 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, Thompson brings extensive expertise in sales, marketing, and general management to the role, which the company may greatly need as it faces slowing sales growth.

Thompson joined Nestlé through the company’s acquisition of the Starbucks consumer packaged goods and foodservice products business in 2018.

He was appointed President of Nestlé Coffee Partners two years later, overseeing brands such as Nescafé, Starbucks at Home, and Seattle’s Best.

Under his leadership, the division has been a key growth driver for Nestlé USA, delivering consecutive years of profitable growth and market share gains.

Before joining Nestlé, Thompson served as CEO of Ghirardelli Chocolate and held several leadership roles at Clorox and Procter & Gamble.

“For the last several years, Marty has led one of our most successful businesses, cementing our position as undisputed leaders in the coffee category. He was instrumental in doubling our Starbucks business globally in just four years and leading the expansion of Nescafé in the U.S. market,” said Steve Presley, CEO of Nestlé Zone Americas.

“Just as importantly, Marty believes in the power of people and culture to fuel business results, and he builds and inspires teams that deliver. I expect he will inspire that same innovation and growth mindset he fostered within our winning coffee business as he takes on the broader CEO role.”

As food and beverage companies respond to changing consumer buying habits and food consumption patterns, having an executive like Thompson, who understands the U.S. market and has successfully grown one of Nestlé’s key businesses in coffee, will likely prove crucial to helping the company rebound, analysts said.

This sentiment was echoed by Presley, who noted that Thompson understands Nestlé’s business, regardless of category, is all about the consumer – knowing them and delighting them at every turn.

Thompson will report to Steve Presley, Nestlé CEO Zone Americas, and will join the Zone Americas Leadership Team.

Nestlé USA is actively seeking growth, which has led to an expansion of operations in South Carolina by investing $150 million in its Gaffney production facility.

Nestlé USA’s investment in its production facility, located at 2132 Old Georgia Highway in Gaffney, will include a new line for the production of single-serve frozen meals as well as enhanced automation and digital technology.

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