San Joaquin, Calif.-based Bako Sweet, the sweet potato consumer brand of grower-packer-shipper Country Sweet Produce, has named Susan Noritake as director of sales.
With nearly three decades of experience and a strong background in sales and marketing for brands such as Zespri International, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Mann Packing and Gill’s Onions, Noritake will bring fresh produce knowledge and expertise to the director role, according to a news release.
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“I am thrilled to be joining the dynamic team at Bako Sweet,” Noritake said in the release. “The opportunity to contribute to the growth of this brand and the sweet potato category is truly exciting.”
Noritake is recognized for her innovative strategies and leadership skills. During her tenure at Zespri, she played a pivotal role in elevating kiwifruit from number 26 to 17 in the U.S. fruit bowl ranking, with Zespri’s proprietary SunGold brand driving growth, according to the release. She also spearheaded successful sales and marketing campaigns for broccolini and fresh cut onions, catering to both consumer preferences and driving retail sales, the release said.
“When seeking a candidate to lead our sales team, it was crucial to find someone with a forward-thinking vision,” Bako Sweet President Michael Valpredo said in the release. “Susan’s track record of driving growth for brands and retailers made her the perfect choice, and we are honored to have her on board.”
With the harvest season fast approaching and exciting partnerships on the horizon, the timing couldn’t be better for Noritake to join the team, according to Bako Sweet. Collaborating with Alexandra Rae Molumby, Bako Sweet’s director of marketing, Noritake will play a key role in fostering the ongoing expansion of the company, the release said.
“Looking ahead, I am eager to collaborate with our sales and marketing team to seize existing and new business opportunities during the upcoming crop year,” Noritake said in the release.
