Nestlé has undertaken a reorganisation of its infant-nutrition business to ‘enhance further the company’s ability to win in this high-growth category’.
From 1 January, the infant-nutrition operation will move from the globally managed Nestlé Nutrition business segment to a regionally managed business, while the Strategic Business Unit (SBU) will be created to manage core global functions, including ‘science-based innovation, quality management, compliance, and global manufacturing capacity’.
A nutrition business head will be appointed to each of the group’s three trading zones, in order to implement the SBU’s global strategy in regional markets.
'Deliver Growth'
"The new organisation will allow Nestlé’s infant-nutrition business to deliver accelerated organic growth and realise further efficiency gains," Nestlé said.
"The more agile and efficient structure will enable Nestlé to respond faster to rapidly changing local consumer preferences, evolving regulation, and customer and channel demand for tailor-made solutions."
Management Changes
Nestlé has also announced a series of changes to its executive board, with Stefan Catsicas, the group’s chief technology officer, leaving the firm to pursue other interests. His position at the retailer will be taken by Stefan Palzer, currently head of the Nestlé Research Centre.
"Applying his strong scientific expertise, Stefan Palzer has significantly contributed to a number of key innovations across product categories at Nestlé," the group said. "His ability to lead rapid and meaningful product innovation will help Nestlé to accelerate organic growth by capitalising on recent key consumer trends."
Heiko Schipper, deputy executive vice-president in charge of Nestlé Nutrition, is also set to leave the business at the end of the year.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
