The Hershey Company has announced the appointment of Stacy Taffet as its new chief growth officer, coming from a background at PepsiCo. Taffet will be responsible for overseeing Hershey’s expanding snacks portfolio, which includes popular brands like Dot’s pretzels. She is set to begin her new role on April 14 and brings with her a wealth of experience in driving growth and managing multi-billion-dollar brands in the snacks and beverages industry.
This move follows a trend within Hershey of bringing in seasoned CPG (consumer packaged goods) executives to fill key leadership positions as the company prepares for the departure of current CEO Michele Buck in 2026. Earlier this year, Hershey also hired Andrew Archambault from Keurig Dr Pepper to lead its North American confectionery business and promoted Veronica Villasenor to run its salty snacks segment.
Taffet’s extensive experience in the CPG space makes her a valuable addition to Hershey’s leadership team. She has a deep understanding of consumer eating habits and trends, such as the shift towards healthier snacking options. This knowledge will be crucial as Hershey navigates challenges such as rising cocoa costs, competition from GLP-1 drugs, and changes in consumer spending patterns due to inflation.
While Hershey is best known for its iconic sweets, the company has been strategically diversifying its product offerings. This includes expanding its salty snacks business through acquisitions like Dot’s and SkinnyPop, as well as introducing more zero-sugar options and gummies to cater to the preferences of younger consumers. Hershey aims to become a leading player in the snacking industry, and Taffet’s expertise in brand strategy and innovation will play a key role in achieving this goal.
In a statement, CEO Michele Buck expressed confidence in Taffet’s abilities, stating that her strategic capabilities will help accelerate Hershey’s vision of becoming a snacking powerhouse. With a strong leadership team in place, Hershey is well-positioned to drive growth and innovation in the competitive snacks market.
