Ocean Spray Cranberries CEO Tom Hayes is retiring, the US food-and-drinks group has said.

Hayes, a former Tyson Foods chief executive, joined the cranberry co-op in 2020.

“Tom joined Ocean Spray during a global pandemic and from day one brought veteran leadership and experience, a clear commitment to excellence, and a new strategic direction that has us well-positioned for the next chapter at our company," chairman Peter Dhillon said.

The co-operative has said it had started “a comprehensive search for its next leader”. Hayes will remain in an advisory capacity to the Ocean Spray board until a successor is named.

Hayes took the helm five months after the juices and snacks maker terminated the contract of previous head Bobby Chacko for violating an anti-harassment policy.

Ocean Spray gave no details on Chacko’s exit at the time other than he transgressed the company’s corporate policy on harassment.

Before joining Ocean Spray, Hayes was CEO of Tyson Foods for under two years until he stood down in 2018. He joined Tyson as president of its foodservice business in 2014 when the company acquired US food manufacturer Hillshire Brands for US$8.55bn. Between leaving Tyson and joining Ocean Spray, Hayes was a partner at private-equity firm Entrepreneurial Equity Partners.

Hayes, who currently sits on the Boards of Maple Leaf Foods and Basic American Foods, said: “The decision to retire is never easy but I step down knowing this cooperative and brand are stronger than ever. It has been my honour and pleasure to have led this talented team and served the family farmers who remain the heart of Ocean Spray.”