Just Born welcomes Matt Butkus as head of sales
The new hire most recently lead the sales team at Colgate-Palmolive.
Matt Butkus
Just Born Quality Confections, the family-owned candy manufacturer behind Peeps, Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, and Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, has announced the appointment of Matt Butkus as head of sales, effective December 1.
Butkus brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, with a proven record of driving sales growth, building high-performing teams, and strengthening retailer partnerships across mass, grocery, drug, and specialty channels, Just Born says.
“Matt’s strategic approach and collaborative leadership style make him an outstanding addition to our team,” says Meenakshi Trehan, chief growth officer at Just Born. “His passion for empowering teams and fostering innovation will help guide us as we strengthen our presence across channels and pursue new growth opportunities. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Just Born family.”
Most recently, Butkus led the sales team at hello brand (Colgate-Palmolive), where he reportedly delivered growth five times faster than the category average while deepening relationships with top retail partners. Prior to that, he held senior roles at Colgate-Palmolive, including director of business development for oral care and senior sales team lad for Kroger, where he consistently delivered market share gains and exceeded both top- and bottom-line goals through strategic execution and collaboration.
Frank Amato, who has served in sales leadership roles for more than two decades, will retire on January 5, 2026, after a 21-year career with Just Born. Amato will work closely with Butkus to ensure a smooth transition.
“Frank’s leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on our business and culture,” adds Trehan. “We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Outside of work, Butkus enjoys soccer, golf, and following college sports. In addition, he is an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Feed My Starving Children.
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