Paul Smucker Wagstaff, a great-great-grandson of company founder Jerome Monroe Smucker, resigned Dec. 5 from J.M. Smucker Co. He left both the board of directors and his role as president of U.S. retail consumer foods.
"Mr. Wagstaff is leaving for personal reasons and has no conflicts with the company’s management or other board members," said a Dec. 5 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He joined the company in 1996, became president of consumer foods in 2011, and had served on the company's board since 2009. The Cleveland Plain Dealer also noted the decision was not health-related.
Wagstaff, 45, is the son of Suzi Smucker Wagstaff and nephew of Smucker Chairman Tim Smucker and Smucker CEO Richard Smucker.
Wagstaff oversaw Smucker's recent acquisition of Sahale Snacks Inc., which brought the new category of nut and fruit trail mixes to the company.
The Plain Dealer also said the company expects to announce his successor from among internal candidates before the April 30 end of its 2015 fiscal year. Until then, President and COO Vince Byrd will oversee the consumer foods business in addition to his other responsibilities.