Standard Meat Company a family-owned custom protein processing and packaging business headquartered at the historic Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas, has announced the appointment of Jill Hunter to the newly created role of Senior Director of Sales Operations. This strategic addition to the leadership team marks an exciting milestone for SMC as the company positions itself for future growth and operational excellence.
In this newly established role, Hunter will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing sales operations while driving coordination across SMC’s diverse teams, including research and development (R&D), finance, and operations. Her efforts will focus on enhancing communication, streamlining processes, and fostering alignment to meet the evolving needs of SMC’s foodservice and retail customers worldwide.
Founded in 1935, Standard Meat Company has long been recognized as a leader in quality, innovation, and service. With facilities in Dallas, Fort Worth, Saginaw, and Ponder, Texas, the company continues to expand its presence as a global supplier of custom protein solutions. SMC Co-President and CEO Ben Rosenthal emphasized the significance of Hunter’s appointment, stating, “The addition of Jill Hunter to our leadership team—and to this crucial new role—will be key to the next phase of significant growth at Standard Meat. As our business expands and product mix becomes more complex, we need robust processes and structures in place to set ourselves up for ongoing success.”
Strategic Focus Areas
Hunter has identified three key areas of focus to help Standard Meat achieve its ambitious growth objectives:
- Demand Planning Framework:
Hunter aims to establish a comprehensive demand planning framework to better capture customer demand signals and enhance internal communication. By routing this information through a well-structured system, she plans to create innovative planning processes that enable seamless and superior service delivery. This approach will help Standard Meat remain agile and responsive to customer needs. - Streamlined Project Management:
To support new product development, Hunter intends to implement more structured project management systems, from pre-vetting ideas to product launches. Her goal is to ensure that resources are allocated to the most impactful projects, enabling SMC to deliver exceptional results for its customers while maintaining a focus on efficiency and innovation. - Commercial Leadership at Ponder Facility:
In addition to her broader responsibilities, Hunter will take on commercial oversight for SMC’s Ponder facility. She will manage the sales team and product line manager, aligning product strategy, lifecycle management, and financial performance with the company’s overall goals. Hunter’s success in this role will serve as a model for replicating these processes at other SMC locations in the future.
Industry Expertise and Proven Leadership
Hunter brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new position. She most recently served as Director of Industrial & Strategic Accounts at High Liner Foods, where she provided strategic leadership and drove commercial success in a rapidly growing segment. Her career also includes several high-profile roles at Cargill, one of the world’s largest food corporations. At Cargill Foodservice North America, she managed major accounts and gained valuable experience in regional markets, including Dallas, Texas.
Co-President Ashli Rosenthal Blumenfeld highlighted the impact of Hunter’s leadership on SMC’s future. “Jill’s proven track record of driving operational excellence and her deep understanding of complex sales systems will be pivotal as we embark on this next chapter of growth,” Blumenfeld said. “At Standard Meat, we pride ourselves on customer service, innovation, integrity, and teamwork. We know Jill’s leadership will reflect and amplify all those values.”
A Vision for Growth and Collaboration
Hunter expressed enthusiasm for joining Standard Meat and contributing to its mission. “I’m looking forward to working with the SMC team to create and implement end-to-end processes and structures that directly support our success,” she said. “But I’m also personally excited to be here. The culture of collaboration and commitment to excellence at Standard Meat is truly inspiring, and it’s a privilege to work with a team that shares those values.”
Educational Background
Hunter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and an MBA from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Her strong educational foundation complements her extensive industry experience, positioning her as a key leader in SMC’s continued growth and success.
With Hunter’s leadership, Standard Meat Company is poised to strengthen its operations, enhance its product offerings, and continue delivering exceptional value to its customers. Her appointment underscores SMC’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and collaboration as it embarks on an exciting new chapter in its storied history.
