Joseph O’Connor

Joe O’Connor is the group vice president of enterprise performance at Hormel Foods where he leads the company’s enterprise performance efforts, working across business units and functions to strengthen decision-making, improve planning processes and support long-term business performance.

Hormel Foods is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, HORMEL^® NATURAL CHOICE^®, APPLEGATE^®, COLUMBUS^®, WHOLLY^® guacamole, HORMEL^® BLACK LABEL^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts.

O’Connor joined Hormel Foods in 2006 as a sales representative in Chicago and has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility throughout the organization. Following roles in category management, customer business management and sales leadership, he joined Applegate as vice president of sales and marketing in 2020. He was named assistant vice president, emerging brands, and president of Applegate in 2022. In 2025, O’Connor was named vice president of emerging brands at Hormel Foods and assumed his current role in 2026.

O’Connor is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University with a bachelor of science in food marketing.