Steve Loftus is the new president and chief operating officer of Sun-Maid Growers. Sun-Maid photo. Illustration by Cynthia Padilla

Four months after its CEO stepped back, Sun-Maid Growers of California has announced a new president and chief operating officer.

Steve Loftus comes to the raisin cooperative by way of Illinois private-label, packaged-foods producer TreeHouse Foods, where he served as vice president and general manager of the condiments business unit, according to a Sun-Maid news release.

He oversaw five production facilities processing a dozen product categories with $1 billion in revenues. Prior to that Loftus was head of customer finance for TreeHouse, developing pricing strategies for products.

Loftus also worked at Kraft Heinz.

In the newly created role, Loftus will report to Harry Overly, who stepped down in August to become executive chairman of the board.

Loftus is replacing Braden Bender, who took on the role of interim president after Overly.

Sun-Maid has been in a self-admitted time of transition as it finds new ways to market the dried fruit to younger generations. In previous years, Sun-Maid has added new products to its line, including flavored raisins. In 2021, Sun-Maid acquired baby food brand Plum Organics.