Hormel Foods Names Will Bonifant Group Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) named Will Bonifant group vice president and chief supply chain officer, effective March 9, 2026. Bonifant will lead global procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics, engineering and supply chain innovation.

He joins from The Hershey Company after 15 years, where he led supply chain strategy and manufacturing for a 20‑plant network and held international leadership roles.

Positive

• Experienced hire with 15 years at Hershey leading supply chain strategy
• Operates global networks including management of a 20‑plant manufacturing footprint

Negative

• Leadership change effective March 9, 2026 creates a short transition period before full integration

Key Figures

Effective date: March 9, 2026 Plant network: 20 plants Industry tenure: 15 years +5 more

8 metrics

Effective date March 9, 2026 Start date for new chief supply chain officer role

Plant network 20 plants Manufacturing and engineering network previously led at Hershey

Industry tenure 15 years Experience at The Hershey Company across U.S., Canada and international

State Street ownership 27,318,643 shares (5%) Beneficial ownership as of 12/31/2025 per Schedule 13G

Ghingo RSUs 32,707 shares Restricted stock units granted Feb. 2, 2026 at no cost

Ghingo stock options 201,000 shares at $24.46 Options granted Feb. 2, 2026 under 2026 plan

Director equity grants 6,541 shares each Restricted stock awards to multiple non-employee directors on Feb. 2, 2026

Current price $23.44 Latest trading price before this announcement

Market Reality Check

Price: $23.44 Vol: Volume 5,802,488 vs 20-da...

normal vol

$23.44 Last Close

Volume Volume 5,802,488 vs 20-day average 4,706,719, indicating elevated trading interest ahead of this leadership update. normal

Technical Price at $23.44, trading below 200-day MA of $26.33, reflecting a prior downward trend.

Peers on Argus

HRL was down 1.44% while peers were mixed: MKC +1.59%, SJM +0.28%, PPC -0.83%, G...

HRL was down 1.44% while peers were mixed: MKC +1.59%, SJM +0.28%, PPC -0.83%, GIS -0.76%, K -0.02%, suggesting a company-specific move rather than a sector-wide rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 03 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 03	Marketing campaign	Neutral	+0.7%	SPAM® Big Game campaign with athlete partnership to drive brand engagement.
Feb 02	Earnings scheduling	Neutral	+0.7%	Announcement of Q1 2026 earnings release and CAGNY conference appearance.
Feb 02	Product expansion	Neutral	-0.6%	Genius Gourmet® expands SKIPPY®-inspired protein snack distribution nationally.
Jan 29	Brand promotion	Neutral	-0.7%	PLANTERS® launches nationwide NUTmobile tour with full-time Peanutters hiring.
Jan 21	Product launch	Neutral	-0.5%	COLUMBUS® Craft Meats debuts ready-to-serve entertaining tray at select retailers.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has focused on brand and product marketing with relatively small price moves, both positive and negative, around each event.

Recent Company History

Over the past few weeks, Hormel has issued a series of brand and marketing updates, including a SPAM® Big Game campaign on Feb. 3, 2026 and announcements tied to the upcoming Feb. 26, 2026 earnings release and CAGNY conference. Product and promotional news from Genius Gourmet®, PLANTERS®, and COLUMBUS® Craft Meats between Jan. 21–Feb. 2, 2026 corresponded with modest price reactions (within about 1% up or down). Today’s supply chain leadership appointment fits into an ongoing stream of operational and brand-related developments rather than a discrete financial catalyst.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-12-05

Hormel Foods has an effective Form S-3ASR universal shelf dated Dec. 5, 2025 for issuing senior unsecured debt securities. Terms such as maturity and interest rate would be defined in future prospectus supplements, and proceeds could be used for general corporate purposes including working capital, acquisitions, capital spending, debt repayment or refinancing, and stockholder returns.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Hormel Foods’ decision to appoint a new group vice president and chief ...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Hormel Foods’ decision to appoint a new group vice president and chief supply chain officer effective March 9, 2026, bringing experience overseeing a 20-plant network and global operations. It comes after recent brand and product news and ahead of the Feb. 26, 2026 earnings release. Investors may watch how this leadership change affects procurement, manufacturing, and logistics efficiency, alongside regulatory developments such as the company’s effective Form S-3ASR for potential debt issuance.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Seasoned supply chain leader to oversee global procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics and engineering

AUSTIN, Minn., Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced the appointment of Will Bonifant as group vice president and chief supply chain officer, effective March 9. In this role, Bonifant will lead the company's global supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics, engineering and supply chain innovation.

"Will is a proven supply chain leader who has scaled complex operations and built modern capabilities across global networks," said John Ghingo, president, Hormel Foods. "His forward‑looking leadership and ability to drive transformation across complex systems will be instrumental as we advance our long‑term strategy and strengthen our global supply chain."

Bonifant joins Hormel Foods from The Hershey Company, where he most recently led supply chain strategy, manufacturing and engineering for a 20-plant network. Over 15 years with Hershey, his experience spanned the U.S., Canada and international markets, including leadership of Hershey's end-to-end China supply chain and oversight of operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Earlier roles include management consulting with The Boston Consulting Group and service as a U.S. Navy submarine officer.

About Will Bonifant

Bonifant spent 15 years with The Hershey Company, holding several leadership positions spanning international supply chain, engineering, plant management, and strategy. His broad experience and cross-functional expertise helped strengthen Hershey's operational capabilities and support the company's ongoing growth and innovation.

Before Hershey, Bonifant served as a project leader at the Boston Consulting Group, where he led engagements focused on strategy, organizational design, supply chain transformation, and cost optimization across multiple industries.

Earlier in his career, Bonifant spent eight years as an officer in the United States Navy. He served in multiple leadership and power plant supervisory roles aboard the USS GEORGIA, a ballistic missile submarine, and later worked as a nuclear power regulator specializing in electrical engineering and instrumentation design.

Bonifant holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, HORMEL^® NATURAL CHOICE^®, APPLEGATE^®, WHOLLY^®, HORMEL^® BLACK LABEL^®, COLUMBUS^®, JENNIE-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Contact:	Media Relations
	Hormel Foods
	media@hormel.com

 

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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation

FAQ

Who is Will Bonifant and what role will he hold at Hormel Foods (HRL)?

Will Bonifant will serve as group vice president and chief supply chain officer at Hormel Foods beginning March 9, 2026. According to the company, he will oversee global procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics, engineering and supply chain innovation.

When does Will Bonifant officially start as Hormel Foods (HRL) chief supply chain officer?

Will Bonifant's appointment is effective March 9, 2026. According to the company, that date marks when he assumes responsibility for Hormel Foods' global supply chain operations.

What relevant experience does Will Bonifant bring to Hormel Foods (HRL)?

Bonifant brings 15 years of supply chain experience at The Hershey Company, including leading strategy and manufacturing for a 20‑plant network. According to the company, his background includes international oversight in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

How might Will Bonifant's hiring affect Hormel Foods' (HRL) supply chain capabilities?

The hire adds senior supply chain leadership with global operations experience, potentially strengthening execution and innovation. According to the company, Bonifant's record includes scaling complex operations and building modern capabilities across global networks.

Where did Will Bonifant work before joining Hormel Foods (HRL) and what roles did he hold?

Bonifant most recently led supply chain strategy, manufacturing and engineering for a 20‑plant network at The Hershey Company. According to the company, his prior roles also included leadership of Hershey's end‑to‑end China supply chain and international oversight.