Loacker appoints new head of sales, West
Janay Escobedo will lead the region as the brand continues its national expansion.
Janay Escobedo. Courtesy of Loacker
As part of its ongoing commitment to growth in the U.S. market, Loacker has appointed Janay Escobedo as head of sales, West. In this strategic role, Escobedo will lead sales initiatives across key markets throughout the West region, supporting Loacker’s continued expansion and deepening the brand’s retail partnerships in the grocery, natural, and specialty channels.
With more than 25 years of experience in the CPG industry, Janay reportedly brings a passion for innovation and a proven record of building high-performing teams and driving sales growth. Her leadership background includes roles at Hippeas, Tattooed Chef, and Century Snacks. Most recently, she managed a portfolio of nine brands under Our Home, including Pop Secret, with customers such as Albertsons/Safeway, Sprouts, and Smart & Final.
“Janay’s deep industry expertise and collaborative leadership style are a perfect fit for Loacker as we continue scaling our business across the U.S.,” says TJ Rooney, president of Loacker USA. “She shares our unrelenting commitment to quality, authenticity, and customer-centric growth, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the team at such a pivotal time in our centennial year.”
Based in San Pedro, CA, Escobedo is also active in industry leadership circles (including Illuminators) and currently serves as director of membership for the Food Industries Sales Managers Club (FISMC).
“Loacker is a special brand with a rich history, and I couldn’t be more excited to join the team and support all the exciting plans for this year,” says Escobedo. “As I get up to speed, I’m already inspired by the company’s commitment to quality, family values and long-term growth. It’s a fantastic time to be part of Loacker’s expansion in the U.S. and help share even more sweetness with the world.”
Escobedo’s hire comes during a milestone year for Loacker, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025 through a year-long partnership with Italian-American Celebrity Chef, Giada De Laurentiis. The partnership features exclusive collaborations, signature recipes from Giada, VIP appearances, and brand storytelling, all designed to deepen connections with U.S. consumers and reinforce the company’s mission of delivering “pure (Italian) goodness.”
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
