Rich Products is enhancing its focus on innovation through the hiring of industry veteran Tracey Ziener as its new executive vice president, chief research & development (R&D), food safety quality assurance (FSQA) officer. Ziener joins the company with over 28 years of experience leading business growth and product quality assurance programs for major food brands.

Ziener specializes in the development and delivery of new products, packaging and technology programs through agile innovation and FSQAR processes, while building highly competent, capable and engaged teams.

“Innovation is at the core of who we are as a company. It’s what we were founded on 78 years ago,” says Richard Ferranti, chief executive officer, Rich Products. “Tracey’s strong leadership, technical skills and unique ability to build highly effective global R&D teams, will enhance that focus on innovation, helping us to drive growth and deliver greater value to our customers.”

Ziener most recently served as vice president of research and development, global chocolate business for Mars. During her tenure, she developed her expertise across a variety of industries, leading new product development for popular brands like M&M, Milky Way and Pedigree.

“Rich’s has a long history of pioneering many of the food industry’s game-changing products,” Ziener says. “I’m excited to join a forward-thinking company that is passionate about innovation and is delivering unique solutions to customers around the world.”