Tyson Foods, the largest U.S. meatpacker by sales, announced that Brady Stewart, its Chief Supply Chain Officer, has left the company for violating its Code of Conduct. Stewart had overseen core operations, including beef, pork, and prepared foods, making his departure significant for Tyson's supply chain continuity and strategic focus.

The company offered few details, stating only that "certain actions taken by Brady violated the Tyson Foods Code of Conduct." Stewart, who joined Tyson in January 2023 from Smithfield Foods, could not be reached for comment.

This development follows a turbulent period for Tyson's executive ranks. In 2024, then-CFO John R. Tyson was suspended after being arrested in Arkansas for driving while intoxicated, prompting the promotion of Curt Calaway to the CFO role in August that year.

"It's concerning to see yet another senior leader at Tyson Foods involved in a code of conduct violation," said Arun Sundaram, equity analyst at CFRA Research, echoing broader concerns over corporate governance at the meat giant.

To maintain leadership stability, Tyson has promoted Devin Cole to Chief Operating Officer, entrusting him with oversight of beef, pork, poultry, prepared foods, and international operations. Cole had previously led Tyson's poultry and international divisions.

The company's beef division, in particular, has been under financial strain. Low U.S. cattle inventories have forced meatpackers to pay premium prices for livestock, squeezing profit margins. As of the last reporting period, Tyson's beef segment was operating in the red, raising questions about the long-term viability of its supply model under current input cost pressures.

With Stewart's departure, critical departments-supply chain, food safety, and transportation-will report directly to CEO Donnie King. Tyson indicated it would issue a broader leadership update before its next fiscal year, beginning September 28.

Executives Cole and Calaway are scheduled to speak at an upcoming investor conference, where questions about continuity, governance, and margin recovery are expected to take center stage.

The spotlight on executive conduct extends beyond Tyson. This week, Nestlé dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate, reinforcing a broader industry reckoning with ethical leadership standards.