Last updated on August 29th, 2022 at 02:16 pm
Pat Callaghan, 61, plans to step down as president of Pepperidge Farm at the end of the Campbell Soup Co.’s fiscal year on July 31, after more than 30 years of service.
Campbell named Irene Chang Britt, 49, currently Pepperidge Farm’s chief strategy officer, as the new president.
Britt will be based at Pepperidge Farm’s headquarters in Norwalk, Conn., and report to Campbell’s President and CEO Denise Morrison.
“Under Pat’s leadership, Pepperidge Farm has developed a culture of consumer-focused innovation, strengthened its brands and delivered consistently strong business results with seven consecutive years of top-line, bottom-line and market share growth,” said Morrison. “Pat has served our company with distinction for more than 30 years. In addition to his many business accomplishments, Pat has been a coach and mentor to countless people in our organization. We wish him and his family well in his retirement.”
Callaghan joined the Pepperidge Farm sales team in 1979. He became president in 2006 and has led the company during one of its strongest growth periods. He will serve as a special advisor to the CEO until Nov. 1, when he will retire from Campbell.
Pepperidge Farm has nine manufacturing facilities and nearly 5,000 U.S. employees. Britt will be responsible for developing Campbell’s global baking and snacking strategy and for building on the collaboration between Pepperidge Farm and Arnott’s. With net sales approaching $2.3 billion per year, Campbell is the third largest company in the baked snacks category.
“Throughout her career, Irene has consistently grown businesses through a focus on brand building and innovation,” said Morrison. “She has played a crucial role in defining Campbell’s new growth strategies and has been a valued partner to me as we charted a new course for our company. Irene’s relentless focus on the consumer, track record of successful innovation, and delivery of business results make her an ideal candidate to succeed Pat.”
Britt became SVP and chief strategy officer in October 2010. Prior to that, she served as president of North America foodservice, leading the foodservice business and the retail perimeter business across the United States and Canada. She also served as VP and general manager of sauces and beverages.
Before joining Campbell in 2005, Britt spent eight years with Kraft Foods, including positions as SVP and general manager of the salted snacks and Post Cereal divisions. She earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and her M.B.A. from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
