Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale on Thursday named former McKinsey & Co. consultant Justin Whitmore to its newly created position of chief sustainability officer.
Whitmore, who will report directly to CEO Tom Hayes, will begin work May 1, the publicly traded meat processor said in a news release.
"Justin brings considerable operations experience to Tyson as well as an approach that breaks down barriers and unlocks the potential of teams," Hayes said. "We believe he will not only drive change at Tyson, but across our industry as he partners with the many important stakeholders in our supply chain and food system."
Tyson Foods announced the new post as part of a reorganized senior management team unveiled in February.
As CSO, Whitmore will lead the company's strategies to find profit while building a sustainable food system, aiming to deliver healthier food, animals, workplaces and environment.
In a news release, the company said Whitmore "will provide leadership and direction that helps the company achieve its strategic intent of sustainably feeding the world with the fastest growing portfolio of protein packed brands." It said he will "collaborate across the organization in an effort to create efficiency and savings that can be reinvested in the business to fuel growth."
"I'm honored by Tyson Foods' confidence in me to serve as its first chief sustainability officer," Whitmore said. "This is a company I know and respect. I'm excited to contribute to its strong legacy of leadership as we take on the challenge of global food sustainability. I look forward to working closely with Tom and the entire Tyson team to continue to innovate and live out our purpose."
Hayes emphasized the company's sustainability goals in a speech Tuesday at the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation luncheon.