Hormel Foods Corp., based in Austin, Minnesota, has announced that its chairman, president, and chief executive officer James Snee will be retiring at the end of 2025. The company has already begun the search for a new CEO to succeed Snee, with a search committee formed by the board of directors. The successor will be chosen through Hormel’s current CEO-succession process, with both internal and external candidates being considered.
Once a successor is named, Snee will transition into a role as a strategic adviser to the board until the end of fiscal 2025 and for an additional 18 months thereafter. He will also remain a candidate for election to the board at Hormel’s 2025 shareholders meeting on January 28. If elected, he will serve as a director until his successor is appointed to take over his executive roles. Snee, who has been with Hormel for 36 years, has been CEO since October 2016 and chairman since October 2017, making him only the 10th president and CEO in the company’s history.
In a statement, Snee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Hormel Foods over the past eight years, highlighting the accomplishments and innovations made during his tenure. He credited the talented and committed team at Hormel for the company’s success and expressed confidence in the future of the organization as he prepares for retirement.
During Snee’s time as CEO, Hormel expanded its portfolio of protein-focused brands through strategic acquisitions in various segments, including the Planters snack portfolio, the Fontanini branded foodservice business, and the Ceratti brand in South America. He also led the reorganization of Hormel’s operating model to enhance consumer and customer focus and launched the Transform & Modernize growth initiative.
Snee’s career at Hormel began in 1989, and he held various roles within the company before being appointed CEO. He took on leadership positions in company divisions and at the global headquarters, eventually becoming president and chief operating officer in 2015 before assuming the role of CEO in 2016 and chairman in 2017.
Bill Newlands, independent lead director for Hormel’s board, expressed the board’s gratitude for Snee’s dedication and congratulated him on his impactful career. The board looks forward to working with Snee in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and continue to drive the company’s business imperatives.
With sales in over 80 countries, Hormel reported total sales of $11.92 billion in fiscal 2024 and expects organic net sales growth of 1% to 3% for fiscal 2025. The company’s brand lineup includes popular names such as Hormel, Planters, Skippy, Spam, Natural Choice, Applegate, and Jennie-O, among others.
As Hormel Foods prepares for a leadership transition, the company remains focused on its mission of delivering high-quality food products to consumers worldwide. The search for a new CEO to succeed James Snee marks an important milestone in the company’s history, and Hormel is committed to selecting a qualified and capable leader to guide the organization into the future.