The Hershey Company appoints Mitchell Arends as Chief Supply Chain Officer
The leadership change reflects Hershey‘s continued investment in supply chain innovation as the company seeks to maintain its competitive position in the global snacking and confectionery market.
USA – The Hershey Company has announced that Mitchell Arends has been named Chief Supply Chain Officer, effective June 22, 2026, marking a significant leadership transition for one of the world’s largest confectionery and snack manufacturers.
Arends succeeds Jason Reiman, who is retiring after a 30-year career with the company. Reiman will remain through April 2027 to ensure a thorough and structured leadership transition.
Arends brings more than 25 years of end-to-end supply chain leadership in consumer-packaged goods.
He joins Hershey from UTZ Brands, where he served as Executive Vice President, Principal Operating Officer, and Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer, with full operational accountability for a US$1.5 billion business spanning supply chain, R&D, transformation, and direct store delivery operations.
Before UTZ, Arends served as Chief Supply Chain Officer of North America at Kraft Heinz, responsible for a US$22 billion supply chain across manufacturing, logistics, planning, and procurement.
“Mitch is a proven transformational leader with the end-to-end mindset, track record, and people-first approach that will continue to drive Hershey’s supply chain forward,” said Kirk Tanner, President and CEO of The Hershey Company.
“His experience across complex operations in the CPG industry makes him well-suited to build on the foundation Jason has established. At the same time, we are deeply grateful to Jason. His 30-year journey from intern to Chief Supply Chain Officer reflects the commitment and character that define this company.”
Arends will have end-to-end accountability for Hershey’s integrated supply chain, encompassing manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and planning.
The company says Arends will focus on accelerating digital integration and automation, and advancing insights-driven planning across the network.
During the transition period through the first quarter of 2027, Reiman will partner with Arends on supply chain modernization, with a focus on integrated planning, accelerated digital capabilities, and network optimization.
Reiman joined Hershey as an intern and built a career spanning the full breadth of the supply chain, with contributions including standing up two fully digitally integrated manufacturing facilities and building the salty snacks network, which is now 80% insourced.
“The opportunity to continue building a supply chain for some of the world’s most iconic products is an exciting moment in my career,” said Arends.
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