Mills has more than 20 years of operating and leadership experience and a track record of driving growth and long-term strategy. Mills also has experience in corporate strategy, M&A and business development, including evaluating, acquiring and integrating businesses.

Mill’s appointment comes as B&G Foods reshapes its portfolio, improving margins and cash flow, reducing debt and leverage, and strengthening its business performance to position B&G Foods for sustainable long-term growth.

“Rob is uniquely positioned to lead B&G Foods at this important point in B&G Foods’ evolution,” says Stephen C. Sherrill, chair of the B&G Foods’ Board of Directors. “Rob’s eight years as a member of our board give him a deep understanding of our business, our brands, our people and challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Just as importantly, Rob brings a proven ability to lead transformation, operate at scale and translate strategy into execution, which will allow him to move quickly from day one. Rob is a decisive leader who brings a strong sense of urgency, accountability and a bias for action. The board believes Rob has the right capabilities and leadership approach to accelerate B&G Foods’ strategic priorities, strengthen performance and create long-term value for our stockholders.”

Mills joins B&G Foods from Tractor Supply Company, where he held senior executive leadership roles with increasing responsibility since 2014, spanning strategy, business operations, digital commerce, technology, artificial intelligence and M&A, with direct P&L accountability. Mills most recently served as executive vice president, chief technology officer, digital and pet services. In that role, Mills was responsible for setting the technology direction for Tractor Supply Company, providing leadership for all digital operations and facilitating long-term strategic direction, including M&A. He was also responsible for the veterinary and pet pharmacy businesses of Tractor Supply Company, along with the Petsense retail business.

During his tenure at Tractor Supply Company, Mills helped lead large-scale transformation and growth initiatives across a complex, multibillion-dollar public company, with a focus on strengthening execution, accelerating growth, improving the customer experience and leveraging digital, data and technology to improve productivity and business performance. Prior to joining Tractor Supply Company, Mills held senior leadership positions at Ulta Beauty Inc. and Sears Holding Corp.

“I am incredibly honored to step into the role of CEO at B&G Foods,” Mills says. “I look forward to partnering with B&G Foods’ very talented and dedicated workforce and the board to build on B&G Foods’ strengths and accelerate our strategy. My immediate priorities will be execution, operating discipline and accelerating growth. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to bring additional capabilities to B&G Foods. Throughout my career, I have seen how digital, data, technology, and increasingly, artificial intelligence can be used to drive growth, improve productivity, make faster and better decisions and transform how companies operate. Combined with disciplined portfolio management, capital allocation and a relentless focus on execution, I believe these capabilities can help us to strengthen our core brands and our overall business.”

Keller served in the role for five years. His retirement is effective Aug. 7, but he will assist in a smooth transition of leadership.

“It has been an honor to serve as the CEO of B&G Foods,” Keller says. “I am proud of our accomplishments as we have navigated through difficult trends in the consumer packaged foods industry. Importantly, we have begun to reshape our portfolio through our recent divestiture and acquisition activity, and I believe the dedicated and resilient team at B&G Foods will guide the company towards a bright future. I wish the entire B&G Foods family all the best.”