Nestlé reorganizes infant nutrition business; announces changes to board
The Nestlé board of directors has decided to change the organization of the infant nutrition business to enhance the company’s ability to succeed in this high-growth category.
The Nestlé board of directors has decided to change the organization of the infant nutrition business to enhance the company’s ability to succeed in this high-growth category. Effective Jan. 1, 2018, infant nutrition will move from the globally managed Nestlé Nutrition to a regionally managed business. The change does not apply to other Nestlé businesses.
A dedicated Strategic Business Unit (SBU) will be created to retain the strengths of Nestlé’s globally aligned nutrition strategy. The SBU will manage core global functions including science-based innovation, quality management, compliance, and global manufacturing capacity. A nutrition business head will be appointed for each of Nestlé’s three zones to implement the global strategy in local markets. The nutrition business heads will have operational and financial responsibility, reporting to the respective zone CEO.
The new organization will allow Nestlé’s infant nutrition business to deliver accelerated organic growth and realize further efficiency gains. 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.
In other news, Nestlé has announced changes to its executive board. Stefan Catsicas, executive vice president and chief technology officer, has decided to pursue entrepreneurial and venture capital activities outside of Nestlé. He will leave Nestlé effective Dec. 31, 2017.
Stepping into the role will be Stefan Palzer, beginning Jan. 1, 2018. Appointed by the board of directors, Palzer is currently head of the Nestlé Research Center and is recognized as one of the leading global experts in food engineering and materials science.
Heiko Schipper, deputy executive vice president in charge of Nestlé Nutrition, has decided to pursue other interests outside of Nestlé. He will leave the company effective Dec. 31, 2017. He was appointed global business head infant nutrition in 2013 and deputy executive vice president in charge of Nestlé Nutrition in 2014. His position on the company’s executive board will not be replaced, following the change in the organization of the infant nutrition business.