Guy Peri Helps Flavor McCormick's Future Through Data Transformation

Guy Peri is McCormick’s Chief Information and Digital Officer. Though only seven months into his role, Peri is rapidly advancing a comprehensive transformation of the company’s digital capabilities. His career-long focus on data and analytics informs a strategy rooted in foundational data excellence, operational optimization and innovation powered by AI.

Leading Digital with Purpose

As CIDO, Peri oversees infrastructure, ERP, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, data systems and the entire scope of digital initiatives at McCormick. His mission is to ensure that digital transformation is anchored to McCormick’s business strategy. "My span of control and responsibilities are developing and leading the implementation of our enterprise digital transformation strategy," Peri explained. From demand creation to product innovation, retail execution and operational efficiency, he is spearheading initiatives that align technology with growth and performance.

Deepening Consumer Connections

McCormick’s digital strategy starts with understanding its consumers more deeply. "We are all at service to consumers and employees," said Peri. By leveraging social media, search data and first-party information, Peri’s team captures insights that guide targeted engagement and product development.

These insights fuel McCormick’s annual Flavor Forecast, a 25-year tradition that predicts future flavor trends. Recent hits include chipotle Korean barbecue and Swicy (sweet and spicy). This year’s bold prediction: Aji Amarillo, a tropical, fruity spice with heat.

Turning Insights into Innovation

The Flavor Forecast is a product of collaboration between marketing, R&D, chefs and data scientists. McCormick combines 40 years of sensory data with real-time digital signals to forecast emerging tastes. "We try our best to predict what's coming, bring those flavors into our products and serve consumers with those flavors," Peri noted. Insights are derived from social listening, search engine trends and qualitative research. This convergence of disciplines and data enables McCormick to stay ahead of evolving palates.

A Data Strategy Rooted in Value

At McCormick, he prioritizes value-driven use cases and operational integration. "There’s a lot of things we can do in digital, data and analytics,” Peri emphasized. “There's only a few things that are material.”

His three-part framework emphasizes business value, data quality and transformation of work processes as mechanisms to help prioritize his team’s efforts. He underscores the importance of data hygiene, governance and reliability, recognizing that these foundations are essential before layering on advanced AI.

Upskilling for the Digital Era

Changing how people work is central to McCormick’s transformation. Peri is focused on elevating digital fluency across the organization by identifying and celebrating early adopters. "We’re trying to upskill individuals to be successful in that new world, and then catch them doing it right," said Peri.

Teams that embrace analytics and digital tools are spotlighted in global town halls to inspire cultural change. Through this approach, McCormick is building new career paths and empowering employees to lead innovation from within.

Harnessing AI to Predict and Optimize

McCormick is actively deploying predictive analytics in procurement, forecasting and product development. With decades of historical procurement data and external market signals, Peri’s team can predict raw material pricing with impressive accuracy.

AI models are also enhancing demand and financial forecasting, as well as enabling faster product formulation by suggesting ingredient substitutions. These applications optimize operations and accelerate innovation. "We're using AI to predict procurement pricing, forecast demand and improve product formulation," Peri shared.

Envisioning the Agentic Future

Looking ahead, Peri is excited about the rise of agentic systems; intelligent digital agents that collaborate with humans. He anticipates a shift where employees move from transactional tasks to exception management, working alongside algorithms to deliver results. "Agentic is going to be the next generation of automation in RPA," Peri predicted. Every role will require a base level of digital literacy and interaction with predictive tools, transforming traditional job functions into tech-enabled decision-making roles.

Expanding Technology to the Whole Enterprise

One of the most transformative aspects of McCormick’s strategy is the democratization of technology. Peri envisions a future where every employee, regardless of technical background, has the tools and understanding to use AI. This includes designing user-friendly tools and establishing baseline digital education, such as understanding machine learning models and how data feeds into them. "You no longer need a PhD in data science to work with AI models," Peri underscored. Building these capabilities will ensure widespread adoption and innovation.

Drawing from Experience, Building Forward

Peri credits his nearly three decades at P&G, including six years as the company’s first chief data and analytics officer, for preparing him to scale enterprise-wide capabilities. P&G’s focus on transforming how business is done, experimenting at scale and operationalizing innovation shaped his leadership philosophy. "We were always about being business leaders first," Peri said, reflecting on his time at P&G. He brings those lessons to McCormick, where his team is applying them to build sustainable, scalable digital transformation.

What’s Next

Peri sees a future where sensors, IoT and real-time data create personalized, connected flavor experiences. Agentic capabilities, new business models and intelligent products are on the horizon. "We're going to have smarter and smarter products that personalize experiences like never before," Peri concluded.

Under Peri’s leadership, McCormick is not only embracing digital innovation. It is flavoring the future of food technology.

Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.

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