ST. LOUIS — Chris Wilkins has been named chief operating officer at Benson Hill Biosystems. Mr. Wilkinson will bring 25 years of experience as a food industry executive to the crop improvement company, where he will manage relationships with food and ingredient companies as well as grocery retailers.

Benson Hill Biosystems provides companies access to its crop improvement technology through three units: Seeds and Traits, which develops improved seeds and crops; Ingredients, which serves consumer packaged goods and other food companies; and Fresh, which serves grocery retailers and food companies with fresh produce products.

Most recently, Mr. Wilkinson was president at TreeHouse Foods. Before that, he held several positions at ConAgra Foods, including marketing director, vice-president and president. He also has held positions at Pillsbury Co. and Land O’ Lakes, Inc.

“Chris brings deep understanding of the food industry and an extensive record of business and operational leadership,” said Matthew Crisp, chief executive officer and co-founder of Benson Hill. “Through our business units, Chris will enable food companies and retailers to design and source the crops and ingredients they need to differentiate their product portfolio.”