Who is Seth Kaufman, Vintage Wine Estates' New President/CEO?
For the last four years, Seth Kaufman, Vintage Wine Estates' new President/CEO, has been President/CEO of Moët Hennessy North America, the $2.5 billion North American wine & spirits business of LVMH. During that time, he has organically grown the business in the high single digits while increasing profitability.
In his role at LVMH - Moët Hennessy North America, in addition to delivering strong growth, Kaufman drove margin expansion, championed disruptive, yet compliant business changes to drive outperformance, re-imagined its operating model, initiated leading eBusiness strategies and championed a step-change approach to talent management.
He succeeds Jon Moramarco, who has been VWE's interim president/CEO.
“Seth will be joining us at this critical juncture as we transition the organization to drive stronger earnings and cash flow, focus resources on key brands for growth, simplify the organization to improve productivity and strengthen our operating processes. We believe Seth brings the talent and experience to lead us through this transition and beyond,” Pat Roney, Executive Chairman, and Paul Walsh, Lead Independent Director, said in a statement.
Kaufman commented, “These are certainly exciting times at VWE, and while I believe there is still much work to be done, I am impressed with the progress the Company has made thus far in 2023. I believe that VWE has leading key brands that have ample runway for growth as well as a very strong asset base in its wineries, tasting rooms, customer relationships and digital marketing reach. I look forward to capitalizing on this base and building a business that can continue to grow its presence and leadership in the U.S. wine and cider market.”
Prior to LVMH, Kaufman progressively advanced through several roles over a nearly 20-year career at PepsiCo, Inc. His roles included among others, Senior Vice President, Pepsi Trademark & Flavors and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo North America Beverages, where he was honored with the recognition by Business Insider as being ranked fifteen among the “Top 50 Most Innovative CMOs in the World.” He culminated his career at PepsiCo as President, PepsiCo North America Nutrition & The Hive Emerging Brand Unit.
He began his career in the advertising sales business as Regional Market Director for a division of Interep Radio in New York City. Mr. Kaufman earned his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business and his B.S. in Television, Radio & Film Management from the Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.