Amy’s Kitchen has appointed Paul Schiefer as chief executive officer, promoting a longtime insider to lead the next phase of growth as co-founder Andy Berliner transitions to executive chairman of the board.
The move formalizes a leadership succession plan years in the making, as the family-owned company balances its nearly four decades of heritage with the need to remain relevant to a new generation of consumers.
Mr. Schiefer, who has served as president since 2023, brings more than 20 years of experience spanning manufacturing, international expansion, sustainability and enterprise transformation. His tenure as president coincided with a period of improved financial performance, with the company reporting its strongest gross margin in a decade and a 60% increase in profitability.
As chief executive, Mr. Schiefer is expected to focus on innovation, sustainability and operational discipline—areas the company views as critical to sustaining long-term growth. Those priorities align with broader efforts to engage more directly in industry debates around food transparency, production practices and the role of corporate responsibility in rebuilding consumer trust.
Mr. Berliner, who co-founded the company, will take on a more strategic role as executive chairman, concentrating on long-term vision, governance and preserving the company’s founding values. Co-founder Rachel Berliner will remain active in innovation, marketing and board activities.
The leadership change underscores Amy’s longstanding emphasis on internal talent development. Mr. Schiefer began his career with the company as a high school intern working on the production line and in canning operations, later moving through roles in information technology, international business development, sustainability and government affairs before rising to chief of staff and ultimately president.
Amy’s Kitchen products are now sold in more than 57,000 stores, and the company is nearing USD1bn in retail sales. It remains one of the food industry’s most prominent Certified B Corporations, a designation that highlights its ongoing focus on environmental stewardship and social responsibility alongside financial performance.
Find out more at: https://www.amys.com