PLT appoints former GNC exec as global head of brand management

Prior to joining PLT, Mr. Weiss served as President of Nutrition21, LLC, a leading developer and marketer of patented, science-based, branded nutritional ingredients serving the dietary supplement, sports nutrition and functional food markets. Prior to Nutrition21, he was the Vice President of Corporate Brands at Vitamin Shoppe, following a successful stint as the Senior Vice President of Merchandising at GNC.

Morristown-based PLT Health Solutions on Friday appointed Joe Weiss as in the newly created role as global head of Brand Management. Weiss will be supporting the development of many of PLT’s most strategic ingredient brands into global markets.

Prior to joining PLT, Weiss served as president of Nutrition21, a leading developer and marketer of patented, science-based, branded nutritional ingredients serving the dietary supplement, sports nutrition and functional food markets. Prior to Nutrition21, he was the Vice President of Corporate Brands at Vitamin Shoppe, following a successful stint as the senior vice president of Merchandising at GNC.

Weiss will support the recognition by supplements, food and beverage markets of the value that PLT’s branded ingredients represent in their formulations and the use of those brands to create disruptive and innovative products of their own.

“The drive for product innovation is intense and global. At PLT, our goal is to support our customers with the ingredients and tools to empower new product development. Having worked both on the consumer product side and the ingredient side our industry, Joe is an ideal person to help guide these initiatives at PLT,” Devin Stagg, chief operating officer for PLT Health Solutions. “Joe brings deep and immediately relevant industry experience, having walked in our customers’ shoes, and a keen understanding of the scientifically supported branded ingredients business, both of which will be major assets as we develop new ways to create value for our customers,” he added.

Weiss spent eight years at Nutiton21 where he oversaw a business that featured industry leading ingredients in the beauty-from-within, cognitive health, weight management and sports nutrition categories sold globally.

At Vitamin Shoppe, he was responsible for the company’s private brand business, including development of new brands and line extensions, sourcing, contract manufacturing, quality assurance, scientific and regulatory affairs. As Senior Vice President of Merchandising at GNC, Weiss led and integrated all retail merchandising functions for 3,600 domestic stores with responsibility for $1.1 billion in sales.