Berner names chief commercial officer

Dakota, Ill.-based Berner Food & Beverage, a private brand manufacturer, has named Kirby J. Harris as chief commercial officer (CCO), a new position at the company.  

“As we continue to expand our position as a leading supplier serving the food and beverage industry, it was critical for us to further expand our organization’s commercial management,” Berner CEO Kurt Seagrist said in a statement. “We are excited to have Kirby Harris join us in this new role at Berner and are confident that his leadership in the industry at leading packaged goods companies will be a huge asset to the Berner organization and our valued customer partners.”

As CCO, Harris will help ensure that all departments, including the commercial organization, research and development, marketing and customer service, collaborate as “Berner strives to meet and exceed operational excellence with flexible, tailored solutions for all customers,” the company stated.

Harris joins Berner from Sandy Springs, Ga.-based CSM Bakery Solutions, where he most recently was vice president of North American sales and previously spent several years as vice president of trade. Prior to that, Harris served as a senior director for Shearer’s Foods, Massillon, Ohio. He also spent six years at the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. and 10 years at The Hershey Co.