JM Smucker snags Hershey exec as SVP of operations, supply chain
Douglas Guilherme will step into the role on July 29 with more than 30 years of experience, including stints at the chocolate maker and Procter & Gamble.
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An article from JM Smucker snags Hershey exec as SVP of operations, supply chain Douglas Guilherme will step into the role on July 29 with over 30 years of experience, including stints at the chocolate maker and Procter & Gamble. Published July 21, 2026 • Updated 2 hours ago Phil Neuffer Lead Editor Share Copy link Email / Print License Add us on Google J.
M. Smucker Co.' s manufacturing facility in McCalla, Alabama. The company began a search for a SVP of operations and supply chain after announcing the departure of several executives in February. Courtesy of J. M. Smucker Listen to the article 2 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. The J. M. Smucker Co.
is bringing on a former Hershey executive to serve as SVP of operations and supply chain, according to a July 20 press release. Douglas Guilherme, SVP of operations and supply chain, J. M. Smucker Co. Courtesy of J. M. Smucker Co.
Douglas Guilherme, who spent the last three years with the Pennsylvania-based chocolate giant, will take over his new role with Smucker on July 29. He will report to Rob Ferguson, chief product supply officer and EVP of coffee, pet and away from home.
Guilherme has spent more than 30 years leading supply chain and operations across the consumer goods, food and chemicals industries, most recently serving as SVP of global supply chain with Hershey.
Guilherme led manufacturing, engineering, continuous improvement, planning, logistics, digital supply chain transformation and network strategy for the food manufacturer, per the press release.
Prior to Hershey, Guilherme served in supply chain leadership roles for water, hygiene and infection prevention company Ecolab and dairy cooperative Fonterra following a 13-year tenure with Procter & Gamble, according to his LinkedIn profile.
With the CPG giant, he rose the supply chain ranks within several regional markets, most recently holding the role of product supply procurement senior director for the Latin America and India, Middle East and Africa regions.
"Douglas brings a strong track record of delivering results and driving transformation while fostering high-performing teams and a culture of continuous improvement,” Ferguson said in the press release. “I am confident he will be an outstanding steward of our commitments to quality, productivity and supporting our dedicated employees."
Guilherme’s hiring follows quickly after Smucker restructured its supply chain leadership amid a larger executive overhaul. In February, the company promoted Ferguson to his current role after the departure of several leaders, including COO John Brase.
Randy Day, SVP of operations, and Bryan Hutson, SVP of information services and supply chain, announced their plans to retire the same month. At the time, Smucker said it would begin a search for a SVP of operations and supply chain, a role that would consolidate Day and Hutson’s positions.
Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Bryan Hutson's last name. The story has been updated. Recommended Reading JM Smucker eyes margin boost with lower green coffee commodity costs By Antone Gonsalves • June 25, 2026 Add us on Google Share Copy link Email / Print License Filed Under: Operations Management, Manufacturing
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This briefing is based on reporting from Supply Chain Dive. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
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