Tom Dempsey, former president of UTZ Quality Foods and ex-SFA chairman (2007), will take on the post.
Dempsey will be focused on developing a long-term strategy for the association and driving value for its members, the SFA said.
The appointment will also enable current president Jim McCarthy to focus better on government relations, it added.
“Jim will be able to focus his considerable talent and expertise on the increasingly important area of government relations for the benefit of our members. There is no doubt that the challenges keep growing at all levels of government,” Dempsey said.