Buckwalter joins the US company from Swiss food and drink giant Nestlé’s Health Science US arm, where she led more than 6,000 employees over the past three years as CEO.
Her move to Ocean Spray ends a more than 16-year association with Nestlé, having first joined as a marketing manager in 2010.
During her time with Nestlé Health Science, she held a variety of senior leadership roles, including global marketing lead, business executive officer for Oceania, vice-president of consumer, digital and medical marketing organisations, as well as president of US professional health and head of global strategy, marketing and innovation. She ascended to the CEO role in October 2023.
“Our industry finds itself at an incredibly dynamic tipping point in consumer behaviour and buying habits,” Buckwalter said.
“I believe Ocean Spray, with its iconic brand and global platform, is uniquely positioned to deliver against those expectations around taste and health benefits.”
She continued: “In my two decades working in consumer-packaged goods, I’ve learned what’s possible when consumer obsession and operational excellence come together. That is what we will strive for every day here at Ocean Spray.”
Buckwalter replaces outgoing CEO Tom Hayes, who announced late last year that he was planning to retire.
Hayes joined the cooperative during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and was credited with implementing a “new strategic vision” that leaves Ocean Spray well placed to succeed under Buckwalter’s leadership.
Chairman Peter Dhillon added: “Abigail is a transformational leader, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Ocean Spray. She brings both the global business experience needed to drive growth and the instincts to build brands that last.
“While her track record of operational excellence and innovation is impressive, what truly sets her apart is how she thinks about and enacts people-first leadership every day. That combination of global vision and human-centred approach is exactly what is needed to lead Ocean Spray into its second century of business.”
