IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Advantage Solutions (Advantage) announced today that it has appointed Jeff Hansberry as its first ever President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective March 21, 2016. Advantage is North America’s leading provider of sales and marketing solutions with a footprint that expands into Europe as well as emerging markets through its recent global partnership with Smollan.
The appointment marks the end of a robust search to identify a senior executive and thought leader to further strengthen the company’s enterprise-wide customer relationships, provide next generation strategic vision and leadership, and accelerate its evolution as a leading provider of business solutions. The position also requires understanding of a service minded culture and the ability to be a servant leader to over 45,000 associates, which further added to the uniqueness of the search.
Presidents of Sales, Marketing, and Foodservice will all report to Hansberry, who will report to Chief Executive Officer Tanya Domier.
“Advantage is at a key moment in our history having grown from a sales and marketing agency into an international business solutions provider with over 45,000 associates. We were determined to identify a leader with a great track record of success and industry experience but it was equally important for the candidate to be an outstanding cultural fit,” said Domier. “We sought a proven strategic thinker in consumer products, entrenched in the customer service mindset and with experience leading a workforce the size and scale of ours. I couldn’t be more excited about finding all of this in Jeff, who has an outstanding record of success from early in his career at P&G to his recent time at Starbucks. His experience in hospitality gives him strong customer orientation and we believe that he is a Level 5 leader and true cultural fit for Advantage Solutions.”
Hansberry comes to Advantage with over 25 years of sales, marketing, and general management experience (both in the U.S. and abroad) most recently at Starbucks, a company globally known for its entrepreneurial culture and great customer experience. After leading the creation of Starbucks’ CPG go-to-market model and expansion to 25 countries, he served as President of the China Asia Pacific Region, where he led the integration of CPG and retail channels across 15 markets. Most recently, he led the integration and international expansion of Starbucks’ Evolution Fresh business.
Prior to Starbucks, Hansberry served as Vice President and General Manager for E&J Gallo Winery where he was responsible for leading the company’s flagship popular priced brand portfolio. His background also includes 17 years at Procter & Gamble where he held leadership positions in sales, marketing and general management, both in the U.S. and abroad.
“I am both honored and excited to be joining the Advantage team. I am inspired by the company’s deep passion for customer service, its innovative approach toward helping customers win in the marketplace, all bound together by a unwavering commitment to doing what’s right for customers and associates. I look forward to being part of the team and contributing to its continued success.”
About Advantage Solutions
Founded in 1987, Advantage Solutions (Advantage) is a premier sales and marketing solutions company committed to building brand value for our clients and customers. Advantage’s customized sales and marketing solutions include headquarter sales, retail merchandising, and marketing services such as shopper, experiential, digital/social, and multicultural marketing, for the grocery, drugstore, club, convenience, natural/specialty, consumer electronics, home center, and foodservice industries. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Advantage has more than 45,000 associates and offices throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. For additional information, visit advantagesolutions.net or call 949-797-3105.
