Sep 10, 2019

New hires, leadership roles at California Giant

California Giant Berry Farms recently hired new key employees and assigned new roles for current staff members.

Tom Smith, the director of foodservice, is taking on a new role as director of foodservice and organics, according to a press release from the company. In addition to leading the foodservice team and the company’s expansion in this  segment for the past three years, Smith has been serving as the sales liaison with the company’s organic growers helping to position this growth area behind the scenes for several months. Smith’s title change was made effective Sept. 1. He’s now responsible for the future direction of the foodservice and organic sales team in the development of California Giant’s strategic sales plan.

“The timing is perfect as I head to Nashville for the SEPC Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Conference this week,” Smith said in the press release.

Taggart was hired Sept. 9 as the senior director of operations, according to the press release. Taggart will play a vital role in California Giant’s operations and growth throughout North America, South America and Mexico. Working with the executive team, he will be responsible for quality systems, food safety and innovation. He will also work with the operations team partnering with the sales, field operations, vendors and grower partners. Taggart has been in the produce industry for over 25 years with extensive experience developing and implementing quality systems, food safety programs and new technologies both domestically and internationally.

Taggart will be working closely with Juana Ramirez who was hired earlier this summer as the new director of supply chain management. Both have worked together recently for a packaging company and are looking forward to being on the same team at California Giant as the company continues to expand globally with all four berry types.

From the left are Thomas Taggart, Juana Ramirez and Tom Smith. Photos: California Giant