Sanford has appointed Peter Reidie as its new chief executive officer, three months after the company's previous boss departed.
Reidie will come from a role as chief executive of Farmlands Cooperative Society and was previously managing director for Australia and New Zealand at Goodman Fielder.
Sanford chair Sir Rob McLeod said Reidie's personal qualities and values shone out during the recruitment process, which assessed both internal and external candidates.
"He is pragmatic and empathetic, has a strong focus on health and safety, and has the ability to get alongside growers and other stakeholders who ultimately give companies their social license to operate. All those qualities will be highly valued in his new role at Sanford," McLeod said.