J.M. Smucker promotes food science exec

ORRVILLE, OHIO— The J.M. Smucker Co. has promoted Jeff Varcoe, PhD, to senior vice president of science and technical excellence.

Varcoe, currently vice president of quality assurance and food safety, starts in the new role on Aug. 24, Orrville-based J.M. Smucker said. In the post, he will lead the food company’s science and technical excellence operations, which span all technical disciplines that support product quality, compliance and innovation. He will report to Rob Ferguson, chief product supply officer and executive vice president of coffee, pet and away-from-home products.

“Jeff is an exceptional leader whose expertise, integrity and ability to inspire teams have made a lasting impact on our organization,” Ferguson. “His broad experience across the food operations, science and technical functions, combined with his commitment to developing talent and fostering accountability, makes him well-suited to lead this important area of our business. I am confident that under Jeff’s leadership, we will continue to maintain the high standards of quality and safety our consumers expect, while advancing innovation across our portfolio.”

Varcoe has more than 25 years of food industry leadership experience in the areas of quality assurance, research and development, and operations. He came to J.M. Smucker in June 2023 as vice president of quality assurance and food safety, and the company noted that he has since led a “comprehensive food safety and quality vision.”

Before joining J.M. Smucker, Varcoe spent 21 years at The Schwan Food Co., where he held leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including vice president of manufacturing technical services, vice president food safety and quality, director of research and development, director of food safety and microbiology, and manager of food safety.