Sabra Dipping Co. appointed Shali Shalit-Shoval as CEO, replacing Ronen Zohar who retired last month after seven years in the position. Shalit-Shoval, a global food business veteran, will oversee all operations as Sabra expands the business to meet growing consumer interest in hummus and in other fresh dips and spreads. Also today, Sabra announced it would open the doors to its newly expanded hummus production facility in Chesterfield County early next month, doubling production capacity and bringing an estimated 70 new jobs to the region in 2015. 

“Still a young category, fresh dips and spreads are rapidly gaining in popularity in the US, with Sabra leading the way,” said Ronen Zohar, outgoing Sabra CEO. “It is wonderful that Shali has been selected to guide Sabra into its next phase of success. An inspirational leader with global food business experience and a uniquely effective management style, Shali is known for her ability to drive growth and innovation and I am thrilled that the brand will have her at its helm.”

Shalit-Shoval joins Sabra with more than 25 years of experience in consumer packaged goods, having held key leadership roles at several global food brands. Prior to working at Sabra she served as CEO of joint venture between PepsiCo and Strauss in Israel, which grew substantially under her leadership. Most recently, she served as Chief Marketing Officer for the Sabra brand.

“I believe Sabra is one of the most exciting brands in the food category today and I am thrilled to take on the role of CEO,” said Shalit-Shoval. “When a brand organically inspires so much consumer passion and enthusiasm, our role is simple. We must continue to produce the best, most fresh tasting dips and spreads possible and share them with the community. I look forward to empowering Sabra’s incredibly talented team while expanding the brand’s production capabilities with a new plant expansion next month.”

Best known for its hummus, Sabra expects the expanded facility will double production capacity and create an estimated additional 70 jobs within 2015. Sabra currently holds approximately 65% of the refrigerated flavored dips category in the US. Also today, Sabra opens its first pop up dining experience, Sabra Hummus House in Georgetown, DC. For more information about Hummus House visit www.sabra.com/hummus-house.

Shalit-Shoval will be based out of Sabra’s NY headquarters where she will oversee Sabra’s North American operations and Obela’s global business. She earned a Bachelors of Industrial Engineering and a Masters of Philosophy from Tel Aviv University and lives in NY with her family.