Kathleen M. Parker is v.p. of marketing and innovation at Just Born

Just Born, Inc. has hired a former Kraft Foods employee to its marketing department, and promoted from within to fill a trade relations and corporate affairs spot.

The candy company is hiring Kathleen M. Parker as vice president of marketing and innovation and promoting Matthew Pye to vice president of trade relations and corporate affairs.

Parker, who has 30 years of experience in the food industry, will be responsible for bringing new products into the market, while leading the company’s marketing initiatives for others such Peeps, Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews candies. She will report to David Yale, Just Born president and coo.

“We welcome Kathy’s in-depth experience in both the candy and snack industries,” says Yale. “As Just Born is experiencing significant transformational growth, Kathy’s knowledge will be integral in further developing our marketing team and strategies to facilitate continued expansion of all our candy brands.”

Parker most recently served as vice president of new products and marketing for Kraft Foods (formerly Nabisco), where she led the growth of iconic brands including Nestle Crunch, Oreos and Juicy Juice. She also launched Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs and Ritz Chips.

Just Born also is promoting from within as former v.p. of marketing, Matthew Pye, is being named vice president of trade relations and corporate affairs.

Pye will be responsible for building strong relationships with customers, suppliers and industry associations and will be in charge of Just Born’s public relations and community outreach. He also will represent company interests in confectionery industry initiatives, particularly those involving governmental and regulatory issues.
 
“Matt’s wealth of sales and marketing experience, in addition to his 15 years with Just Born, gives him an unparalleled understanding of our organization,” says Yale, who Pye will also report to. “We know he will meet with great success in his vital new role running Just Born’s trade relations and corporate affairs.”

Prior to Just Born, Pye’s experience included sales and marketing functions at Fleer Confections, Warner-Lambert, and Unilever.