Hormel Foods appoints Will Bonifant to lead global supply chain modernization

Hormel taps veteran supply‑chain executive to lead global modernization

Scaling operations and modernizing networks

Hormel Foods names Will Bonifant as group vice president and chief supply chain officer, a move aimed squarely at accelerating a companywide push to modernize procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics and engineering. The appointment, announced Feb. 12 and effective March 9, 2026, places a single senior leader in charge of Hormel’s global supply chain as the Austin, Minnesota‑based food maker seeks greater resilience and efficiency across its branded food portfolio.

Company executives say Bonifant’s brief is to scale complex operations and build modern capabilities across Hormel’s global network, prioritizing transformation initiatives that support long‑term strategy. In his new role he is expected to align cross‑functional activities — from plant engineering to inventory planning — to reduce friction between procurement and manufacturing and to strengthen end‑to‑end visibility, two objectives corporate management highlights as central to sustaining growth amid volatile input costs and shifting consumer demand.

Operationally, the appointment signals Hormel is moving from incremental supply‑chain improvements to broader network redesign and technology adoption. Bonifant brings experience in managing multi‑plant networks and implementing supply‑chain transformation programs, which Hormel plans to leverage to drive efficiencies, enhance contingency planning and accelerate innovation in areas such as logistics optimization and plant engineering.

Relevant background

Bonifant joins Hormel from The Hershey Company, where over 15 years he leads supply‑chain strategy, manufacturing and engineering for a roughly 20‑plant network and directs operations spanning the United States, Canada and international markets. His portfolio at Hershey includes leadership of an end‑to‑end China supply chain and oversight of operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Earlier roles include project leadership at The Boston Consulting Group on supply‑chain transformation and eight years as an officer in the U.S. Navy in engineering and supervisory positions onboard a ballistic missile submarine.

Strategic signal for the industry

Hormel’s announcement, released via PR Newswire, underscores a broader trend among large food producers toward consolidating supply‑chain leadership as they confront labor constraints, rising freight costs and the need for digital tools to improve forecasting. Company president John Ghingo calls Bonifant “a proven supply chain leader,” and Hormel frames the hire as a key step in strengthening its global supply chain to support future growth and competitiveness.