Cargill enhances its international management teams with four key appointments

Cargill has unveiled four new management leaders in its executive team, across its global operations including a new team leader for its agricultural supply chains, as well as a freshly installed chief information and digital officer, reports Neill Barston.

As the company, which has extensive interests within the cocoa and chocolate sector, explained, its latest appointments were selected for their expertise aligned to evolving customer and employee needs and their potential to drive the company’s innovation and sustainability strategies around the world.

The business, which played a central role in our World Confectionery Conference, continued its expansion, with the firm set to unveil its “House of Chocolate” industry research and development facilities in Europe, that are anticipated to have a key influence on its operations.

“The food system is constantly and quickly changing. To continue delivering innovative ideas and solutions for our customers, we must change as well. These leaders are guided by values and purpose, committed to our customers and passionate about feeding a growing population in a safe, responsible and sustainable way,” said Dave MacLennan, Cargill chairman and CEO. “They all have the expertise and inclusive leadership approach to continue driving our organisation forward as members of our executive team.”

Jennifer Hartsock joins Cargill and the company’s executive team as its new Chief Information & Digital Officer (CIDO). Hartsock served as Chief Information Officer and a member of the executive leadership team at Baker Hughes. In that position, she led the merger of Baker Hughes and GE Oil & Gas technology systems and processes, while also co-leading the transformation of the company’s shared services offerings. Hartsock is based in Minneapolis.

Hartsock succeeds Justin Kershaw, who retires as CIO after 10 years with the company. Since joining Cargill, Kershaw made great strides in changing the company’s approach to technology. He led the expansion of the company’s IT infrastructure, application landscape and data security and also launched Cargill’s digital lab and internal digital business accelerator.

Furthermore, Roger Watchorn is joining the company’s executive team as leader of Cargill’s Agriculture Supply Chains (CASC) business, which also includes the company’s Ocean Transportation and World Trading Group. He also will lead the company’s corporate trading strategy. Since joining the company in 1994, Watchorn has held several leadership roles throughout Cargill, including his previous role as CASC North America group leader. Watchorn will continue to be based in Minneapolis.

Watchorn succeeds Joe Stone, who will retire after 37 years with the company. Prior to leading Cargill’s Agriculture Supply Chain business, Stone was responsible for the Animal Nutrition business driving the company’s global growth with the acquisitions of Provimi, EWOS and Diamond V. Stone was also the company’s Chief Risk Officer and served on the Cargill Board of Directors since 2016.

Moreover, Ross Hamou-Jennings is named the company’s chair of Asia Pacific. Hamou-Jennings has been based in Singapore since 2002, leading the global Trade & Capital Markets (TCM) business from Asia. In this new role, Hamou-Jennings will join the executive team and oversee the company’s customer-led strategy in Asia, as well as its Metals, Risk Management and TCM businesses. Hamou-Jennings will continue to be based in Singapore.

Hamou-Jennings succeeds Marcel Smits, who will retire after 9 years with the company. Smits joined Cargill in 2013 as chief financial officer and in 2018 he assumed his current responsibilities as chair of Asia Pacific and supervisor of TCM and Metals and head of Corporate Strategy and Development.

Stephanie Lundquist is joining Cargill as the company’s new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and a member of its executive team. Lundquist spent 16 years with leading retailer and Cargill customer, Target, most recently leading the food and beverage business. She also served as Target’s CHRO for three years. During this time, Lundquist developed deep experience in culture and business transformation, leadership development, and building differentiated talent strategies and programs to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. Target was consistently named a top 10 employer in the U.S. during her tenure. Lundquist will be based in Minneapolis.