Howard Friedman joined Utz in December 2022 and serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Friedman has over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, leading some of America’s most iconic brands, including PEBBLES™ cereal, PHILADELPHIA™ cream cheese, Oscar Mayer™, LUNCHABLES™, and KRAFT®. He has a proven track record of profitably growing businesses and market share through world-class marketing. Further, Mr. Friedman has deep experience in new business integration, commercial execution, and value creation. Before joining Utz, Mr. Friedman served as the Chief Operations Officer of Post Holdings, Inc., from 2021 to 2022 with direct supervision of procurement, environmental health & safety, as well as responsibility for diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. Prior to his role as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Friedman served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Post Consumer Brands, its flagship cereal business, from 2018 to 2021. While at The Kraft Heinz Company, Mr. Friedman served in roles of increasing responsibility for over 20 years, gaining extensive experience in consumer products and culminating in his role as Executive Vice President, Refrigerated, leading Kraft’s most prominent business unit from July 2016 to May 2018. Prior to serving as Executive Vice President, Refrigerated, Mr. Friedman served for over twenty years at The Kraft Heinz Company, serving in roles including general management, sales, and marketing.
Mr. Friedman began his career in the United States Army, serving in the United States and overseas, completing his service as a Captain. He holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from New York University, Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College.