The Hershey Company has appointed Mitchell Arends as its new chief supply chain officer effective June 22, 2026 [1].

This leadership change occurs as the company manages a transition in its logistics and procurement operations following the retirement of a long-term executive. The appointment ensures that the company maintains stability in its global supply network during a period of executive turnover.

Arends joins the company from Utz Brands, where he served as the executive vice president and chief integrated supply chain officer since 2023 [5]. His professional background includes managing supply chains at both Utz Brands and Kraft Heinz [6].

Arends succeeds Jason Reiman, who is retiring after a 30-year career with the company [3]. To ensure a structured leadership transition, Reiman will remain with the company through April 2027 [3].

The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is utilizing this overlap period to transfer institutional knowledge between the retiring veteran and the incoming officer. This transition strategy aims to mitigate the risks associated with replacing a three-decade tenure in a critical operational role.

Arends will oversee the end-to-end supply chain for the U.S. confectioner, focusing on the movement of raw materials, and finished goods to retailers.

“Mitchell Arends joins the company from Utz Brands, where he served as the executive vice president and chief integrated supply chain officer since 2023.”

By hiring an executive with experience at both Utz Brands and Kraft Heinz, Hershey is prioritizing external industry expertise to modernize its supply chain. The decision to keep the retiring officer on staff for nearly a year indicates the high complexity of Hershey's logistics and a cautious approach to avoiding operational disruptions during the handover.