After nearly 15 years with Smithfield Foods and 40 years in the food industry, Jim Schloss has decided to retire from full time work, effective September 26th.  Jim was hired in 1994 as Vice President of Design Foods, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods created to develop, market, and manage a brand of pork from our genetically leaner line of NPD hogs.  Smithfield Lean Generation was born and became the largest brand of fresh pork in the United States and a key turning point for Smithfield. The turning point: transforming Smithfield Packing from a regional, commodity meat packer with multiple brands to a national, consumer focused food company with a sound and sustainable brand strategy.  Jim was the senior marketing executive who led this transformation while at Smithfield Packing and continues to provide oversight and direction from his role at Smithfield Foods. 

Jim transitioned to Smithfield Foods in 2004 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, with responsibility to oversee sales and marketing strategies for all operating companies within Smithfield Foods. Key successes during this period include the following: developing programs to elevate the overall image of Smithfield Foods, including the Helping Hungry Homes tour and our diversity committee, advocating and managing our Paula Deen relationship, managing Smithfield Specialty Foods Group (our catalog business), recommending and supporting packaging redesign for John Morrell, and recommending and supporting retail expansion of Curlys, Armour Eckrich, and Carando thru various marketing programs.

Fortunately for all of us, Jim has agreed to stay with the organization for another two years on a part time basis.  I have asked Jim to continue managing our relationship with Paula Deen and to help us with strategic branding and marketing.  Over time, we will consolidate our brands, becoming more strategic and supporting the key brands that deliver the greatest profitability.  Jim has the best marketing mind in the corporation and his role in this project will be invaluable. 

Jim and his wife Sarah will now have the time to have family and friends visit more often, work on getting Jim’s golf game back in the groove and to enjoy the fruits of their journey together.  They both want to thank everyone at Smithfield Foods for helping bring them to Virginia where in their words “they have been given endless opportunities to what has been the best 15 years of their lives.”

Please join me in thanking Jim for his commitment and contribution to our organization and wishing him and Sarah well in the “next chapter” of their lives together.