Dive Brief:
- Dean Foods Co. is promoting Ralph Scozzafava to executive vice president and COO, effective Oct. 1.
- Scozzafava first joined Dean Foods as the company's chief commercial officer in October 2014.
- "In his new role, he will continue to oversee the commercial functions of sales, marketing and research and development, with added responsibilities over operations and procurement and logistics," Food Business News reported.
Dive Insight:
Scozzafava has over 30 years of experience in the consumers goods and grocery categories, including stints at Campbell Soup Co. and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.
Scozzafava will stay busy with Dean Foods' latest major rollout, the DairyPure national milk brand, as well as finding ways to combat slowing demand for traditional dairy as alternative dairy products are on the rise. Meanwhile, Dean Foods is benefiting from low milk prices due to a massive surplus, which may give Scozzafava wiggle room in his efforts.
Meanwhile, former company chairman Thomas Davis is facing an insider trading investigation, according to reports, following his resignation.