Simplot names Brandenburg global food president

Erik Brandenburg will be appointed president of Simplot Global Food effective Nov. 1, Simplot announced.

Brandenburg will report directly to Simplot president and CEO Garrett Lofto and will serve as a member of the Simplot leadership team.

Simplot is a family-owned, privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise.

Brandenburg succeeds Graham Dugdale, who will retire Dec. 15. Brandenburg, most recently vice president of global operations for Simplot Global Food, will begin transitioning into his new rule immediately to ensure a seamless leadership transition, according to a news release.

“Erik has played an instrumental role in shaping the success of our Global Food division and embodies the collaborative spirit of One Simplot,” said Lofto. “His operational expertise, strategic business acumen and commitment to our people and customers make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead Global Food into its next chapter of growth.”

A member of the Global Food leadership team, Brandenburg has been a key leader in the successful integration of Simplot’s former Australia and North American food businesses into a unified global organization over the past four years, according to the release.

Brandenburg most recently served as vice president of global operations for Simplot Global Food, leading operational oversight for the division’s manufacturing network across multiple continents. He was responsible for advancing operational excellence across the business, including raw material strategy, research and development support, capital project prioritization and implementation, engineering and direct procurement.

“I am honored by the opportunity to lead Simplot Global Food and build upon the strong foundation established by Graham and the entire Global Food team,” he said. “I look forward to working alongside our employees and partners around the world as we continue to innovate, serve our customers and contribute to feeding our world.”

Simplot Global Food produces frozen potatoes, vegetables, avocados, seafood and other food products for foodservice and retail customers around the world. With 22 manufacturing and processing facilities across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America, the business continues to expand its global footprint while delivering high-quality food products, according to the release.

Brandenburg joined Simplot in 2001 as a management trainee in Caldwell, Idaho. Throughout his 25-year career with the company, he has held leadership roles of increasing responsibility across operations in Moses Lake and Othello, Wash., and Grand Forks, N.D.

He also played a critical role in optimizing production following the startup of Simplot’s Caldwell facility and in the completion and startup of the company’s food processing facility in Mendoza, Argentina, according to the release.