Martin Thompson Named Nestlé USA CEO and U.S. Market Head
Nestlé USA has promoted Martin Thompson as its new CEO.
Thompson, who also takes on the title of U.S. market head, will join the Zone Americas leadership team as part of the transition. He'll report to Steve Presley, Nestlé CEO Zone Americas, beginning Jan. 1.
Thompson joined the company in 2018 as part of the Starbucks CPG and foodservice products acquisition. In 2020, he was promoted to president of Nestlé Coffee Partners, which includes a portfolio of coffee brands including Nescafé, Starbucks at Home, and Seattle's Best.
The company reports that under his leadership, the business has been a key growth driver for the Nestlé USA segment, resulting in consecutive profitability and market share expansion.
Thompson’s CPG History and Nestlé’s Leadership Shuffle
His background includes 35 years of experience in CPG across roles in sales, marketing, and general management. He previously served as CEO of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company from 2011-2017. Prior to that at Clorox, he held several leadership roles, including senior director of customer capabilities and director of business transformation, where he helped lead the implementation of a new trade management system, according to LinkedIn.
Before that, Thompson spent time at Procter & Gamble across a variety of trade marketing and account management roles.
Thompson has led one of the company’s most successful businesses over the last several years, playing an instrumental role in doubling its Starbucks business globally in four years and leading the expansion of Nescafé in the U.S. market, Presley said in a statement.
Also read: Starbucks Names Das Dasgupta Chief Data & Analytics Officer
"He understands that our business, regardless of category, is all about the consumer — knowing them and delighting them at every turn," said Presley. "Just as importantly, Marty believes in the power of people and culture to fuel business results and he builds and inspires teams that deliver. I expect he will inspire that same innovation and growth mindset he fostered within our winning coffee business as he takes on the broader CEO role."
Thompson takes on the new role following an operating restructure and streamlining of its executive board. As part of those changes, Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe, who took on the role last month, said a leaner board would increase simplicity, speed up decision-making, and strengthen the momentum behind global initiatives, with all leaders of key units reporting to him.
