Tyson Foods Says Supply-Chain Chief Leaves After Violating Conduct Rules

By Tom Polansek

CHICAGO, Sept 3 (Reuters) – Tyson Foods’ TSN.N chief supply chain officer, who has also overseen its beef, pork and prepared foods businesses, left the U.S. meatpacker after violating the company’s code of conduct, according to a statement.

The departure of Brady Stewart is the latest management change at Tyson Foods, which replaced former Chief Financial Officer John R. Tyson last year following arrests related to drinking.

Stewart could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday.

“It’s concerning to see yet another senior leader at Tyson Foods involved in a code of conduct violation,” said Arun Sundaram, equity analyst at CFRA Research.

Tyson Foods named Devin Cole as chief operating officer and said he will oversee its beef, pork, prepared foods, poultry, and international business segments. Cole previously led the poultry and international segments.

Tyson’s beef business has been losing money as low U.S. cattle supplies have forced meatpackers to pay more to buy livestock to slaughter.

Stewart joined Tyson in January 2023 after previously working for rival Smithfield Foods SFD.O, where he was chief operating officer.

“The company determined certain actions taken by Brady violated the Tyson Foods Code of Conduct,” Tyson said in a statement on Tuesday. The company did not respond to a request for more information.

With Stewart’s departure, functions including supply chain, food safety and transportation will report directly to CEO Donnie King, according to the statement. The company said it will provide further leadership and organizational updates before its 2026 fiscal year begins on September 28.

On Thursday, Cole and CFO Curt Calaway are slated to speak at an investor conference.

Tyson Foods suspended former CFO John R. Tyson last year after police in Arkansas arrested and charged him with driving while intoxicated and careless driving. In August 2024, the company named Calaway as CFO.

Top management’s conduct has come under intense scrutiny in the corporate world. Food company Nestle NESN.S said on Monday it dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek, Editing by Nick Zieminski)