USA – The Coca-Cola Company has announced new leadership appointments as part of an ongoing project to create an organisation that is highly networked, less hierarchical and future-facing.
The current president of the Brazil business unit, Henrique Braun, has been appointed head of the company’s new Latin America operating unit.
Before being named president of the Brazil business unit, Braun served as president of Greater China & Korea.
He joined the company in 1996 in Atlanta and progressed through roles of increasing responsibility in North America, Europe and Latin America.
Nikos Koumettis, current president of the Europe, Middle East & Africa group, will take up the position of president of the new Europe operating unit.
Prior to his current role, Koumettis served as president of the company’s Central and Eastern Europe business unit, where he was responsible for overseeing company operations in 26 countries.
Koumettis also served as president of the Central and Southern Europe business unit. He joined Coca-Cola in 2001.
Meanwhile, Nancy Quan who currently oversees functions including: the company’s technical and supply chain community; strategic ingredient procurement; and flavour supply and manufacturing will lead combined innovation and technical function, following the retirement of chief innovation officer, Robert Long.
The current president of Coca-Cola India T. Krishnakumar has been named chairman of the company to be responsible for building and strengthening critical local partnerships in India and supporting the new operating unit leadership team.
Krishnakumar had been heading Coca-Cola India as president since April 2017.
He will be replaced by company veteran Sanket Ray as its new India head. Ray is presently chief operating officer for Coca-Cola Mainland China.
Last week, the Atlanta-based company had announced it will make at least 4,000 job cuts across markets, as the pandemic and lockdowns across markets severely impacted April-June quarter sales.
The maker of Coke and Sprite soft drinks said it plans to first offer buyouts to 4,000 employees in large markets like the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and then offer similar voluntary programmes in other countries.
The world’s largest beverage maker also said it plans to reduce the number of its global operating units from 17 to nine that will sit under four geographical segments, along with Global Ventures and Bottling Investments.
This structure will be supported by the company’s newly created Platform Services organization, which will provide global services and enhanced expertise across a range of critical capabilities.
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