DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- Sara Lee Corp. has appointed Sean Connolly as CEO of its North American Retail and Foodservice business effective January 17, 2012. He will serve as chief executive of MeatCo, Sara Lee's North American Meats business, following the spinoff of its International Coffee and Tea business, expected to be completed in the second calendar quarter of 2012 (see Related Content below for previous CSP Daily News coverage).
In January, 2011, Sara Lee announced that it will divide the company into two pure -play publicly traded companies, one focused on the international coffee and tea market and the other on North American meats.
Connolly succeeds Marcel Smits, CEO of Sara Lee, who assumed responsibilities for leading the North American business in September 2011 until a permanent leader was named.
"We are very excited to have Sean Connolly serve as the head of our MeatCo business as we prepare for it to become a separate pure-play, publicly-held company," said Sara Lee executive chairman Jan Bennink. "He has extensive experience in the American food industry, coupled with a strong track record as a great innovator, particularly in mature categories. These strengths will allow him to take a fresh look at the business and enable the company to reach its full potential."
Connolly, 46, will join Sara Lee from the Campbell Soup Co., where he currently serves as president of Campbell North America, the company's largest division accounting for approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenues, a position he held since October 2010. Prior to this position, he served as president, Campbell USA and president for North American Foodservice. Under his leadership, Campbell's core condensed soup business grew sales and profit after years of decline, and the V8 Beverage business experienced significant growth. Connolly joined Campbell in 2002 as vice president for Food Brands.
Before joining Campbell, Connolly served in various marketing and brand management roles at Procter & Gamble for a decade.
Downers Grove, Ill.-based Sara Lee and its portfolio of food and beverage brands, including Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Pickwick Teas, Sara Lee and Senseo, generate nearly $9 billion in annual net sales from continuing operations.
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