J.M. Smucker Promotes John Brase to President and COO
May 02 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
The J.M. Smucker Co., a leading global manufacturer of branded food and pet products, announced the promotion of John Brase to President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective April 30, 2025. This strategic move underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership pipeline and accelerating its long-term growth strategy across key consumer markets.
In his elevated position, Brase will retain oversight of critical business segments driving Smucker’s U.S. and international growth, including U.S. Retail Coffee (Folgers®, Dunkin’, Café Bustelo).
Brase will also continue leading enterprise-wide functions such as Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and the Transformation Office, a cross-functional initiative he spearheaded in 2020 that has delivered over $500 million in cumulative cost savings through operational efficiencies and portfolio optimization. His expanded mandate now includes direct engagement with industry associations, policymakers, and external stakeholders to amplify Smucker’s influence in shaping sector-wide trends, from sustainability to innovation in CPG.
Brase, a 30-year veteran of the consumer goods industry, joined Smucker in 2020 as COO. His tenure has been marked by a relentless focus on high-growth brands, portfolio simplification, and operational agility. Under his leadership, Smucker’s coffee segment achieved double-digit growthin 2023, fueled by premiumization and e-commerce expansion, while the Uncrustables® brand surpassed $1 billion in annual sales, cementing its status as a frozen handheld category leader.
“John’s promotion reflects his exceptional ability to balance operational rigor with consumer-centric innovation,” said Mark Smucker, Chair and CEO. “His leadership has been pivotal in driving our portfolio transformation, enabling us to reinvest savings into high-potential areas like pet food innovation and sustainable packaging. This move ensures we remain agile in a dynamic market while nurturing top talent internally.”
Brase emphasized alignment with Smucker’s consumer-focused strategy: “Our brands are ingrained in daily life—whether it’s fueling mornings with Folgers, delighting families with Uncrustables, or nourishing pets with Milk-Bone. I’m energized to deepen our partnerships with retailers, advance our ESG commitments, and leverage data-driven insights to anticipate evolving consumer needs.”
For over 125 years, The J.M. Smucker Co. has been a trusted name in households worldwide, with a portfolio that includes iconic brands such as Folgers®, Jif®, Milk-Bone®, Meow Mix®, and Hostess®. The company holds licenses for **Dunkin’® packaged coffee and Borden® dairy products, further diversifying its market reach. Smucker’s moto “Always Bring Your Best” drives its 6,500 employees to deliver quality, innovation, and value across retail and foodservice channels.