Listen to this article

Nuts.com named PJ Oleksak as its new chief executive officer, making her the first woman to lead the Cranford-based snack company.

She is also the first non-family member to take the helm, succeeding Jeff Braverman, whose grandfather founded the business in 1929 as a storefront in Newark, the company said in an Oct. 5 press release.

As president of Nuts.com since 2021, Oleksak has led its multiyear market growth strategy, scaling and evolving the company’s business-to-business (B2B) and gifting divisions.

After stepping into the CEO role Sept. 12, Oleksak leads all day-to-day operations, as well as Nuts.com’s 540 employees nationwide, while Braverman assumed the title of executive chairman, focusing on strategic projects and corporate development, the company said.

Prior to Nuts.com, Oleksak served as chief business officer at Slice, the nation’s leading technology solution for independent pizzerias, where she oversaw revenue, operations, customer service, and go-to-market across all its consumer and restaurant products.

Before Slice, she held the position of chief growth officer at FreshDirect, driving enterprise expansion strategy, revenue, marketing, analytics, e-commerce and customer service. She also co-founded FoodKick by FreshDirect, a curated on-demand grocery delivery service rebranded as FreshDirect Express.

In commenting on the promotion, Braverman said, “PJ is a trailblazer with a proven track record of impactful and transformational leadership. Her passion and in-depth expertise have contributed to massive success, and I know she is the leader who will take Nuts.com to the next level.”

Considered the leading direct-to-consumer specialty food company, Nuts.com offers high-quality nuts, dried fruit snacks, sweet treats, confections, pantry staples and gifts. With facilities and distribution centers in New Jersey, Nevada, Indiana, Texas and Florida, Nuts.com ships to all 50 states and Canada.

Oleksak said, “I have long admired Nuts.com and Jeff Braverman’s legacy, which has catalyzed lifelong customer loyalty and industry-leading product quality. Our teams are dynamic, nimble, and hungry to innovate and unlock new opportunities. I am incredibly excited to step into this new role and for the future of the company.”