Mark Izzo

Mark is an entrepreneurial-minded research & development executive with significant experience driving innovation at large CPG companies, as well as general management of ingredient suppliers and small CPG. In his current role as SVP and Chief Disruption Officer at Post Holdings, Mark seeks to create value organically by leveraging emerging disruptive technologies to drive the creation of new food markets. Izzo leads a disruptive innovation team that incorporates full-service launch capabilities in one place… with dedicated sales, marketing, and supply chain functions supported by a broad network of Post Holdings functions enabling rapid business setup.

As the former Vice President of R&D at Pinnacle Foods, Mark led product development across a diverse portfolio including Birdseye, Hungry Man, Duncan Hines, Wishbone, and Vlasic. Among other initiatives, Mark collaborated across the organization to develop and execute a strategy resulting in the launch of several $100+ million innovation platforms across frozen and bakery R&D.

Prior to his role at Pinnacle Foods, Mark served as Vice President of R&D and Innovation at Post Holdings, where he managed a diverse innovation portfolio across breakfast and snacking. He created and led a cross-functional team that spearheaded joint concept/product development with major retailers, resulting in two Walmart test markets and multiple category leading launches. He also teamed with Post’s sales force to form a Costco business team and develop a Costco-specific pipeline. Additionally, Mark led the integration of PowerBar R&D from Nestle into Post R&D and transitioned existing product lines from in-house to external manufacturing.

Mark also served in R&D leadership roles at the Campbell Soup Company (leading product development for Campbell’s US-branded businesses including beverages, sauces, and pasta meals), Post Foods LLC (managing the R&D organization responsible for product, process, and packaging development for a diverse $1B+ portfolio of cereal brands), Nutraterra LLC (creating and launching a high-end brand of snacks and beverages), and Orafti North America (creating a market-leading nutraceutical ingredient business by selling a prebiotic fiber to the US market).

Both a successful business leader and an accomplished scientist, Mark also worked as a Senior Research Scientist for M&M Mars. He holds a BS in Biochemistry, an MS in Food Science, and a PhD in Food Science, all from Rutgers University.