Chief Operating Officer Chuck Metzger will succeed founder Rich Scalise as ceo of Hearthside Food Solutions as Scalise remains chairman of the company’s board.

Scalise said shifting day-to-day leadership to Metzger will allow Scalise to focus his efforts on strategy and mergers and acquisitions.

“I am proud of the business we have built over the last 10 years and excited to have such an operationally talented leader in Chuck Metzger to lead Hearthside in this next chapter of growth,” Scalise said.

Metzger is a deeply experienced food manufacturing executive who brings over 30 years of executive leadership in global food companies. Prior to Hearthside, he spent more than five years at Greencore USA and Peacock Foods as chief operating officer. 

Previously, Metzger led regional beverage operations for the Coca-Cola Company with responsibility for all the platforms in which Coke operates. He spent 23 years earlier in his career at Kraft Foods. His experience includes leading global manufacturing strategy, North American foodservice supply chain, and many years in plant operations.

“I am honored by the opportunity to succeed Rich Scalise at the helm of this impressive organization,” Metzger said. “Hearthside is poised for continued success, and I look forward to partnering with our experienced management team and board as we continue to deepen our capabilities and deliver for our customers.”

Charlesbank Capital Partners, the Boston- and New York-based middle-market private equity firm, and Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, on behalf of their clients, acquired Hearthside in 2018.

“Rich built an incredible business that is well-positioned to grow as the leader in the contract manufacturing space,” said Chris Russell, managing director at Partners Group. “Rich is handing the reins to a talented executive in Chuck Metzger, who has the operational leadership capability to build on the success to date."