John Brase, COO of The JM Smucker Company

John Brase is the Chief Operating Officer at The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM). He possesses extensive expertise in marketing.

Last November, Orrville-based food group hired Brase as its inaugural Chief Operating Officer. His background encompasses brand management, business operations, manufacturing, marketing and sales – an impressive combination!

Early Life and Education

John Brase was born on August 3, 1946 in Columbus, Ohio to a family of five. He attended various schools throughout his childhood years – including Sacred Heart School where he received his first communion – before graduating from Shelby High School in 1963. He was an active member of the Mason Rotary club, volunteer firefighter, and proud alumni of Milladore Community School. Additionally, he was a loving father, uncle, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Carol M. (Wolfrum) Brase; daughter Nicole Brase; son William Brase; sister Barbara Blakeley; brothers-in-law Randal Blakeley and Lori Hetze; seven grandchildren. Additionally, he was an active member of the Mason Optimist Club where he participated in many events and activities. Most importantly though, he cherished every moment spent with his beloved family members.

Professional Career

Enterprises must grapple with ever-increasing complexity in the marketplace – whether due to technological breakthroughs or shifting business landscapes that can occur overnight. That’s why The J.M. Smucker Company chose John Brase as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2020, bringing nearly three decades of consumer goods expertise to the role.

As Chief Operating Officer, Brase is responsible for overseeing strategic business units across the Company’s U.S. operations such as Pet Food & Snacks, Coffee and Consumer Foods; he also leads Away From Home operations, Operations and Supply Chain functions; plus he heads up the Smucker Leadership Team reporting directly to Mark Smucker. Previously he served as Vice President and General Manager of The Procter & Gamble Company’s $6 billion North American Family Care unit.

Achievements and Honors

As the world becomes ever more interconnected, organizations must adapt their management structures in order to remain competitive. A chief operating officer (COO) is an indispensable element when it comes to overseeing a company’s most critical functions.

J.M. Smucker recently appointed an experienced executive to its COO position, John Brase. John will be responsible for strategizing across three US business segments as well as overseeing operations and supply chain functions away from home.

Over his 30-year career with Procter & Gamble, he was part of the North American Family Care unit – responsible for managing P&G’s baby care and bath & facial tissue brands. This included expanding Swaddlers’ line and launching a new Pampers commercial.

Personal Life

Enterprises must manage an ever-increasing array of challenges in today’s marketplace, making chief operating officers even more essential. That is why J.M. Smucker has selected consumer goods veteran John Brase to serve as its inaugural COO.

Brase was previously a vice president and general manager at consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble, boasting nearly 30 years of industry expertise. His expertise spans brand management, business operations, manufacturing, marketing and sales.

In his new role, he will have strategic oversight for three U.S. business segments – Pet Food & Snacks, Coffee and Consumer Foods – as well as away from home operations and supply chain functions. Mark Smucker, the company’s president and CEO, will report directly to him.

Net Worth

John Brase, a former executive at Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble, joined Ohio-based Smucker as its first Chief Operating Officer in 2020. With 30 years of consumer goods expertise, he was most recently Vice President and General Manager of P&G’s $6 billion North American Family Care unit. Reporting directly to Mark Smucker – president and CEO – John will serve as chief operating officer.

John Brase earned a total compensation of $3,851,124 as JM Smucker Co’s Chief Operating Officer in 2022, consisting of $1,526,958 for Total Cash and $2,133,003 for Equity. His base salary was $700,000. Additionally he received a signing bonus of $400,000 and restricted shares worth 25,000; additionally his short-term cash incentive target opportunity was 100% and long-term equity incentive target opportunity was 300%.