Newly-installed Saputo CEO Carl Colizza has made changes to his executive team, including the appointment of a COO and a new chief commercial officer.
Colizza took on the roles of president and CEO at the Canadian dairy giant on 9 August, moving from the positions of president and chief operating officer of Saputo’s North America business division.
He replaced long-serving chief executive Lino Saputo Jr., who moved to a new position to provide “strategic oversight” to the rest of the group’s management team.
In a series of appointments announced today (10 September), Frank Guido has been promoted to become Saputo’s COO, overseeing the company’s global operations, encompassing North America, Europe and the international division.
He was the president and COO of Saputo’s US dairy unit. All the divisional presidents and COOs will now report to Guido.
Meanwhile, a new position has been created for a chief commercial officer to be filled by Leanne Cutts. She had been overseeing Saputo’s Europe and international businesses as divisional president and COO.
Replacing Guido as president and COO of the US dairy division is Dominick Bombino. He has been promoted from the role of senior vice president for sales at the same business division.
Over in the UK, Steve Douglas becomes the regional president and COO of dairy. He was the senior vice president of operations and the supply chain for the US dairy division.
Douglas replaces Tom Atherton, who is exiting the position of president and COO of the UK division as he leaves Saputo to “pursue other opportunities”.
Atherton had held those roles since Saputo acquired Dairy Crest in 2019, although he had been with that UK business since 2005. He will stay on until the end of the year to assist with the transition process.
“This team is proven, deeply capable, and prepared to set the course for our continued success,” Colizza said.
“Each of these accomplished executives has played a pivotal part in our company over the years and through their expanded roles we will further leverage their talent and expertise as we continue to drive long-term growth and operational excellence throughout our organisation.”
Saputo notched up revenues of C$17.3bn ($12.7bn) in its 2024 fiscal year but booked net income of just C$265m, down from C$622m a year earlier.
For the first quarter of the new financial year through June, revenue climbed 9.5% to C$4.6bn. Net profit was flat at C$142m.