Jason Nichol to oversee Tyson Foods’ Walmart business

Wal-Mart Stores is Tyson’s Foods largest customer and the food giant has promoted Jason Nichol to senior vice president over the Walmart business.

Tyson Foods said 16.8% of its 2015 sales, or $6.95 billion, were to Wal-Mart Stores, and no other customer of Tyson Foods comprised more than 10% of its annual sales revenue, according to the company’s last 10K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nichol will work with executives at Wal-Mart to implement strategic initiatives in areas such as animal well-being and sustainability. He also will work to drive growth in Tyson’s business with Wal-Mart.

“We’re very pleased to announce the promotion of Jason to yet another leadership position,” said Scott Rouse, chief customer officer, retail sales and chain restaurants for Tyson. “He has a strong track record of driving positive business results at Wal-Mart for companies such as Nabisco, Cott Beverages and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., and I know he will continue that legacy of excellence for Tyson Foods.”

Nichol joined Tyson as part of its Hillshire Brands acquisition in 2014 as vice-president, Wal-Mart Retail Packaged Goods, before transitioning to vice-president, Wal-Mart Fresh in 2015 for Tyson Foods. He has a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.