UK – Müller has appointed Jon Jenkins the new chief executive officer of Müller Milk & Ingredients (MMI), the fresh milk, cream, butter and ingredients business of the dairy group.

Jon Jenkins, formerly CEO of Allied Milling and Baking, succeeds Patrick Müller, who has stepped down from his role at MMI after a two-year period. Patrick steps down from the role after leading a successful transformation of the business.

MMI says that it is continuing to make substantial progress towards the completion of its turnaround with a strong board and a collaborative approach with customers and the supply chain.

As part of its Project Darwin plan, the business revealed that it has secured profitable commercial contracts, adjusted capacity, aligned milk supply to demand and taken out unnecessary cost.

“A huge amount of work and very tough decisions have and continue to be required. But we are making very good progress and we now see a clear path towards a profitable and sustainable future,” Mr Müller said.

“But there’s still a lot of work to be done. One of the main challenges in the months and years ahead will be to establish the sustainable cost structures required to be successful as a private label business in the long term.”

Mr Müller will continue to lead Müller’s home delivery business Milk & More as CEO, becoming co-owner.

Jenkins will now take over the mantle and continue working with the MMI team to maintain the turnaround momentum by securing the sustainable cost structures required to ensure the long term success of the business.

To ensure that the business continues progressing towards a sustainable future, the company said that Patrick will work with Jenkins to achieve a smooth transition for the next two months.

Jon Jenkins brings over 30 years of experience in the UK food manufacturing industry having worked with some of the country’s leading brands and businesses.

Most recently, Jenkins worked at ABF where over his 15 year career, he led Allied Milling and Baking its largest food business and Twinings, the branded tea business.

He has also been in the Board of alcoholic drinks businesses Bulmers and Halewood and spent 11 years with Mars working across all 3 UK divisions.

Jenkins said: “It’s clear that strong progress has been made and that Patrick leaves behind an excellent board and team.

“I am looking forward to helping my colleagues at MMI to write the next chapter in its journey, and with their continuing commitment I know that we can secure a profitable and successful future.”