About Tom Gunter
Tom Gunter is a seasoned executive renowned for his ability to drive consistent growth through strategic leadership, people development, creative problem-solving, and personal discipline. With over 20 years of executive-level experience, Tom has led teams through a variety of market and business situations, including rapid growth, mature markets, acquisitions, and divestitures. His expertise spans brand marketing, customer management, and oversight of supply chain, manufacturing, co-packing, and R&D.
Recent Endeavours
Tom currently serves as a CEO Group Leader at CEO Global Network, where he supports and mentors business owners and CEOs. His impact extends beyond individual mentoring, as he leads a CEO peer group and conducts monthly one-to-one sessions.
Awards & Recognition
2012
Ryerson University ‘Award of Distinction’
2018
Food Association of Canada ‘Golden Pencil Award’
2018
Food, Health & Consumer Products ‘Award of Distinction’
2023
Grocery Business Magazine ‘Hall of Fame‘
Notable Achievements
Focus for Growth
Tom’s leadership in restructuring a major packaged foods company’s brand portfolio resulted in a sharper focus, leading to optimized resource allocation and ultimately, enhanced profitability.
Maximizing Margins
Tom’s strategic pricing and product rationalization efforts delivered a powerful punch to profitability. He achieved a 3 point margin jump in the first year, followed by an impressive additional 5 points over the next three years.
Market Share Leader
Tom’s leadership propelled Healthy Choice to a dominant position, capturing a significant 70% market share in the frozen entrée segment within its first year.
Canadian Consumer Favourite
Tom’s strategic vision led to the creation of product extensions that made a struggling brand a Canadian favourite, capturing 22% of the market in just 24 months.
Business Expansion
Tom’s keen eye for opportunity led to the successful acquisition of Del Monte Canada, resulting in a massive 40% revenue surge. Tom has an ability to ‘connect the dots’ in building scale efficiencies that deliver a market advantage.
Building High-Performance Teams
Tom’s commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent paid off in spades. His efforts led to a dramatic increase in overall employee engagement scores and a significant reduction in turnover, fostering a high-performing and thriving work environment.