“At this stage in my journey, it’s not about titles—it’s about impact.”

James (Jim) Sterbenz is a seasoned commercial executive who’s distinguished 35-year career in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) has been defined by transformative leadership, deep operational expertise, and an unwavering commitment to results. Known for steering some of the industry’s most recognized brands through growth, disruption, and strategic realignment, James has left a lasting imprint on companies like Kraft, Campbell Soup Company, Mars, Godiva, and Turkey Hill Dairy. With a commanding presence in the boardroom and a collaborative mindset in the field, James blends sharp strategic acumen with authentic human connection.

Raised in New Jersey and educated at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he earned his MBA, James began his journey at The Dial Corporation. It was here that he gained a foundational understanding of sales execution, customer relationships, and promotional strategy. With each progressive role, from retail sales to regional account leadership, he demonstrated an uncommon ability to drive volume while building trusted customer partnerships. These early experiences instilled in him a hands-on, data-driven leadership style that would come to define his professional ethos.

James’ rapid ascent continued at Nabisco Foods Group, where he held a variety of sales and marketing roles over a twelve-year tenure. Leading regional marketing and customer sales, he honed his capabilities in category management, trade promotion, and broker engagement. As Director of Broker Sales and later as Senior Director of Sales Planning, he led significant revenue portfolios and large-scale strategic integrations. His tenure at Nabisco prepared him for the scale and complexity of his later roles, giving him the credibility to lead enterprise-level transformation in globally recognized organizations.

His impact at Kraft Foods was immediate and substantial. At the helm of the C-Store and Distributor channels, James managed a $700 million sales portfolio across 14 product divisions. There, he orchestrated the integration of Kraft and Nabisco teams, created performance-based broker contracts, and developed innovative selling platforms that reshaped Kraft’s channel strategies. Under his guidance, Kraft saw not only revenue growth but also a reinvention of its go-to-market approach.

James continued his trajectory at Mars and then Godiva Chocolatier, where he led North American wholesale sales and strategic distribution expansion. At Godiva, he managed a dual team of in-house staff and retail merchandisers and elevated the brand’s presence through exclusive product offerings and customer-specific innovation. His ability to seamlessly align brand objectives with channel realities made him a highly respected voice among peers and senior leaders alike.

In 2006, James joined Campbell Soup Company, where he would spend over a decade in progressive leadership roles culminating in his appointment as Senior Vice President of Sales for the all-U.S. products. With full P&L responsibility for a $5.6 billion portfolio and over 325 team members, James played a pivotal role in modernizing the company’s commercial engine. He led the consolidation of multiple sales teams into a single unified structure, introduced joint business planning frameworks with top-tier retailers, and championed an e-commerce growth strategy that drove a 40% increase in net sales.

During his Campbell’s tenure, James spearheaded initiatives that enhanced trade promotion efficiency, created margin-enhancing pricing strategies, and redefined omnichannel sales capabilities. He also served as the executive sponsor for the Network of Executive Women and contributed to Campbell’s broader diversity and inclusion efforts. These experiences not only shaped him as a business leader but as a mentor and advocate for the next generation of talent.

Following Campbell’s, James served as Chief Commercial Officer at Turkey Hill Dairy, a private equity-backed business newly divested from The Kroger Company. In this role, he oversaw marketing, R&D, and sales, quickly expanding product distribution and introducing new products. Under his leadership, the company achieved record EBIT performance, implemented the first price increase in over a decade. His ability to stabilize and then accelerate growth in a newly independent company highlighted his agility and operational depth.

James continued to influence the future of the industry through independent advisory roles.  In addition to independent consulting, Jim joined St. Mary of the Lakes School as School Operations Administrator.  He applied his strategic and operational skills in a new environment, managing budgets, staffing, scheduling, and child care programming, and safe environment compliance with the same rigor he once applied to billion-dollar brands. His transition into education reflects his lifelong belief in purpose-driven leadership and giving back to his community.

James is not only a consummate business strategist, but also a husband, father, fitness enthusiast, and dedicated member of his church. Married for over three decades, he approaches both his personal and professional life with loyalty, discipline, and humility. His mission now is to leverage his extensive experience to support growth-stage and mature companies alike through board and advisory work. He brings with him not only decades of CPG leadership but the wisdom of someone who understands the balance between short-term results and long-term value creation.

Character:
James exemplifies authenticity and humility, remaining grounded in values that prioritize collaboration, mentorship, and ethical leadership. He is deeply committed to using his platform to elevate others and foster organizational cultures where integrity and results can thrive together.

Knowledge:
With over three decades across legacy brands and private equity-backed firms, James possesses unmatched institutional knowledge in CPG sales, marketing, and operations. His experience spans channel strategies, e-commerce expansion, and cross-functional team development, making him a holistic and reliable advisor.

Strategic:
James has led transformations that improved profitability, realigned team structures, and modernized sales processes across multiple companies. His strategic foresight consistently delivers scalable solutions rooted in data, insights, and operational rigor.

Communication:
A seasoned public speaker and former member of FMI’s Manufacturer Sales Advisory Council, James brings clarity, presence, and empathy to every engagement. His communication style bridges stakeholders—from boardrooms to front-line teams—ensuring alignment and momentum toward shared goals.