Nestlé USA Names Martin Thompson the New CEONestlé USA Names Martin Thompson the New CEO

Nestlé USA has named Martin Thompson as chief executive officer and US market head, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Thompson also will join the Zone Americas Leadership Team.

Thompson joined Nestlé as a part of the company’s acquisition of the Starbucks consumer packaged goods and foodservice products business in 2018. Then in 2020, he was appointed president of Nestlé Coffee Partners, the US business housing iconic coffee brands such as Nescafé, Starbucks at Home and Seattle’s Best. Under his leadership, the division has served as a key growth driver for the Nestlé USA business, delivering consecutive years of profitable growth and market share gains.  

With more than 35 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, Thompson brings deep experience in sales, marketing, and general management to the role. Before joining Nestlé, Thompson served as CEO of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. and has held several leadership roles at The Clorox Co. and Procter & Gamble. 

“For the last several years Marty has led one of our most successful businesses, cementing our position as undisputed leaders in the coffee category. He was instrumental in doubling our Starbucks business globally in just four years and leading the expansion of Nescafé in the US market. He understands that our business, regardless of category, is all about the consumer — knowing them and delighting them at every turn,” said Steve Presley, CEO Zone Americas. “Just as importantly, Marty believes in the power of people and culture to fuel business results and he builds and inspires teams that deliver. I expect he will inspire that same innovation and growth mindset he fostered within our winning coffee business as he takes on the broader CEO role.”