BETHLEHEM, PA. — Matthew J. Pye has been promoted to senior vice-president of sales and marketing for Just Born Quality Confections, maker of candy brands including Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales. Mr. Pye was previously vice-president of sales and marketing for the company.
In his new role, Mr. Pye will oversee responsibility for sales, marketing, the Just Born retail group, licensing, customer relations, corporate communications and community relations.
“Matt is charged with growing sales profitably through leveraging the power of Just Born’s iconic brands to drive consumer engagement and increased consumption,” the company said.
Mr. Pye joined Just Born in 1998 as the group project manager on the Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales candy brands, eventually becoming director of marketing in 2004. In 2006, he moved into sales, where he managed the Southeast territory, including Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Dollar Tree. He was promoted to vice-president of marketing in 2010, and in 2012, he was appointed vice-president of corporate affairs for Just Born. In February 2017, Mr. Pye added to his responsibilities by becoming vice-president of sales and marketing.
Prior to Just Born, Mr. Pye began his career at Unilever as a sales representative selling the Dove, Wisk, Snuggle and Lever 2000 brands. Later, he joined Cadbury, working in marketing on Trident chewing gum. After that, he moved to Fleer Confections as marketing manager on all brands, including Dubble Bubble and Razzles bubble gum brands.
