VF Corporation is growing its roster of innovation leaders yet again. On Thursday the company announced the appointment of Sudhakar Puvvada to a newly created role, vice president, global jeans innovation center. Puvvada will lead a well-rounded team of science, engineering and design experts based in the Greensboro, N.C. center in denim advancements to benefit Wrangler, Lee, 7 For All Mankind and other brands throughout VF’s portfolio.
Purvvada joins VF from Ashland, Inc., where he served as vice president of technology platforms. Puvvada’s previous posts span a number of research and product development roles in the home and personal care categories, including 14 years at Unilever.
VF Corporation vice president and group president for jeanswear Scott Baxter, said, “Sudhakar will work closely with leaders throughout our global jeanswear business to combine existing VF knowledge with the expertise and insights from our external partners to build commercialization opportunities for our brands.” He added, “His background in both technology and consumer goods will help to empower our innovation agenda and lead to sustainable, breakthrough innovations for consumers globally.”
Purvvada’s hiring follows the announcement VF made last week that Nike alum Dan Cherian has signed on as vice president of global innovation for performance apparel and footwear.