SAN FRANCISCO — Ben Mand has been named chief executive officer of Harmless Harvest, a producer of premium coconut water. He brings to the role more than 16 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry.

Most recently, Mr. Mand was senior vice-president of brand marketing and innovation at Plum Organics, a subsidiary of the Campbell Soup Co. Previously he held various marketing and innovation positions at companies including General Mills and Johnson & Johnson.

“Ben exemplifies the rare type of leader that will take Harmless Harvest to the next level of performance as a pioneering, sustainable and ethical food company as well as expanding Harmless’ unique vision to a broader audience,” said Justin Guilbert, who co-founded Harmless Harvest in 2010 with Douglas Riboud.

“Ben combines two rare traits: passionate creativity with a commitment to hard work in achieving goals," Mr. Riboud added. "Along with the rest of Harmless Harvest, Justin and I are grateful to have a leader of Ben’s caliber. We look forward to benefiting from his experience and collaboration as we achieve our objectives as a values-based enterprise.”

Ben Mand, new Harmless Harvest c.e.o.

Giannella Alvarez, former president and c.e.o. of Harmless Harvest, left the company in January to lead Beanitos, Inc., an Austin, Texas-based snack manufacturer. The following month, Danone Manifesto Ventures announced it had taken a stake in Harmless Harvest, which markets fresh organic coconut water produced through a micro-filtration process.

“We cut no corners in identifying the right candidate to lead Harmless Harvest forward,” said Laurent Marcel, managing director of Danone Manifesto Ventures and a member of the Harmless Harvest board of directors. “After careful consideration, we unanimously determined that Ben is the ideal person for the role with a wealth of expertise and a successful track-record of launching and growing innovative, mission-driven and sustainable brands. Importantly, Ben embodies the unique DNA of Harmless Harvest and we are confident that he will help this one-of-a-kind company reach its ambitious goals.”