People on the move: Notable midyear industry employment shifts
Procos Americas announces appointment of Claudia Jacober as VP Sales Luxury Packaging
On July 20, 2023, German-based global packaging manufacturer Procos announced its New York-based subsidiary, Procos Americas, has appointed Claudia Jacober as the VP Sales in Luxury Packaging. The move, which signifies the company’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the US luxury packaging industry, will support Procos Americas efforts in further expanding its activities in this market space.
Jacober, an industry professional with years of extensive experience, will focus her efforts on “developing relationships with key customers” and provide “high-end packaging solutions tailored to the needs of the US market,” as detailed in the company’s latest press release.
Sandeep Relan named General Manager of Mill Rock Packaging Partners
On July 6, 2023, specialty packaging platform Mill Rock Packaging Partners, which provides services and product solutions for the consumer packaging industry, including cosmetics and personal beauty care products, shared the appointment of Sandeep Relan as its latest General Manager for its St. Paul and Hutchinson, Minn., facilities. The portfolio company of New York-based private investment firm Mill Rock Capital, Mill Rock Packaging Partners was established through a partnership between the two ventures in 2020.
As detailed in its company press release, Relan most recently served as Director of Operations for integrated marketing communications company R.R. Donnelley.
“Sandeep’s extensive experience in both operations and the commercial space will help us capitalize on the potential of these two facilities in terms of talent and assets,” said Allen Ennis, Mill Rock Packaging CEO.
Spanish ingredient manufacturer Alvinesa Natural Ingredients welcomes new CEO Jon Fernández De Barrena
On July 6, 2023, natural ingredient industry member Alvinesa Natural Ingredients appointed Jon Fernández De Barrena as CEO. The company, which specializes in upcycling raw materials from wine and olive oil production into natural antioxidants, colorants, and grape seed oil into ingredients for nutraceutical use, focuses its efforts on being zero waste.
De Barrena brings his extensive background in business planning and strategic development to the role, and as detailed in the recent company press release, his alignment with Alvinesa Natural Ingredients will enhance the company’s capabilities, expand its global footprint, and reinforce its position as a trusted provider of natural ingredients for industry product formulations.
SUANFARMA introduces Anthony Weston as CEO of nutraceutical division SUNNUTRA
On June 20, 2023, Madrid-based ingredients producer SUNFARMA confirmed the appointment of Anthony Weston as CEO of its nutraceutical division SUNNUTRA, effective June 5, 2023. With 1,400 global active customers and lead by core brands Gonmisol, Monteloeder, and Sunfarma USA, SUNNUTRA “will be structured to pursue market-leading growth in branded and innovative ingredients whilst enhancing its market presence in functional and essential ingredients through its long-established commitment to quality and innovation and its position as a trusted leader in the nutraceutical market” with Weston’s leadership, stated a recent company press release.
To the role, Weston brings his most recent experience in global business management and leadership at Frutarom and IFF, as well as a focus on “delivering sustained profitable growth and enhanced value through organic business development, product innovation, manufacturing excellence, and successful acquisitions and integrations,” said the release.
Gisela Pinheiro assumes dual roles at BASF as head of the business unit Personal Care Europe and new Managing Director of BASF Personal Care and Nutrition GmbH
On June 5, 2023, and effective as of June 1, 2023, former SVP of BASF Care Chemicals division Gisela Pinheiro will serve in a larger role at the global chemical manufacturing company. Pinheiro has extensive background in the industry which includes roles with Dow Chemicals in Brazil and the US before joining BASF as VP of Functional Materials and Solutions South America in 2017.
About her newest promotion, she said in a recent company press release, “I am determined to ensure a smooth transition for our customers and my team alike. The whole industry is facing challenging times, and I am very much convinced that we have the right people and mindset to overcome all hurdles and steer into a successful future.”
Flexible Packaging Association announces Kasie Fairbarn’s appointment as Emerging Leadership Council (ELC) Co-chair
On June 2, 2023, the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), a leading organization in the US representing the interests of flexible packaging manufacturers and suppliers to industries like cosmetics and personal beauty care products, publicized the appointment of Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation’s Product Sales Manager, Extrusion Systems Kasie Fairbarn as its newest Co-chair for the FPA’s ELC. The committee, which is comprised of rising industry professionals, is focused on establishing “a network of future leaders to drive issues and opportunities which have a long-term impact on the advancement of the U.S. flexible packaging industry,” according to a recent press release.
About the appointment, FPA ELC Co-chair Jonathan Quinn, Director of Market Development and Sustainability for Pregis, shared that “when you think of inspirational leaders, Kasie Fairbarn is one of the first names that comes to mind, and her leadership will be fundamental to the future of not only the ELC but also the industry,” the release said.
American Cleaning Institute makes dual announcements appointing Jamie Logan as new State Government Affairs Manager and promoting Ryan Heisler to Senior Manager of Environmental & Scientific Affairs
On May 31, 2023, the American Cleaning Institute, an organization representing the interests of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in the cleaning product supply chain, including personal care products, publicized two staffing changes to its internal leadership structure.
In its first appointment, Jamie Logan joins the ACI from the National Emergency Management Association and will focus on legislative and regulatory priorities in the US where his expertise “will play an integral role in ACI’s state government affairs space,” said Douglas Troutman, ACI General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & Senior Vice President, Government Affairs in a recent press release.
In the second appointment, Ryan Heisler, who previously worked as the ACI’s Manager of Environmental & Scientific Affairs on scientific research and outreach on the environmental impact of cleaning products and ingredients, will now expand his leadership role and responsibilities in this space. About his promotion, Kathleen Stanton, Associate Vice President, Technical & International Affairs shared in the same press release that ACI “recognizes the great work Ryan does, not only for ACI, but for the cleaning products industry as a whole.”
UK skin care brand Facetheory names Marc Gallagher as first ever CMO
On May 24, 2023, indie skin care brand Facetheory announced the appointment of Marc Gallagher, former ELEMIS Chief Brand and Digital Officer with more than 10 years of experience at LVMH group with Marc Jacobs and Benefit Cosmetics as its first Chief Marketing Officer to support brand efforts to scale its global footprint.
Facetheory, which launched in 2014 as a DTC brand, recently scaled its global product offerings through a secured distribution partnership with Sephora Asia in January of this year. With omnichannel distribution plans for the US, Europe, and the Middle East for this year, Gallagher’s appointment is a crucial part of the brand’s expansion strategy.
About his appointment in relation to US expansion, Gallagher shared in a recent press release that “Facetheory has brought me on to create our US growth and marketing strategy, and we're actively leaning into influencer relationships to begin buzz-building in the States.”
Further, he added, “we are focused on growing our own community first as a core D2C brand, and leverage retail partners to expand distribution, and are aiming to launch in the US in a meaningful way early in 2024, if not sooner."
Beauty by Imagination appoints Jonathan Thompson-Hill as Executive VP of Global Sales
On May 15, 2023, hair care product manufacturer Beauty By Imagination (BBI) which produces Wet Brush and Goody announced that effective immediately it appointed Jonathan Thompson-Hill as Executive Vice President in Global Sales to lead BBI’s Sales, Forecasting, and Sales Operation teams and processes. Thompson-Hill brings 25 years of industry experience to the leadership role and his past appointments include roles at Beiersdorf, Reckitt Benckiser and Proctor & Gamble.
In his new appointment, Thompson-Hill’s focus will include “continuing to strengthen the sales organization, enhancing operations and supply effectiveness, and executing a timely channel distribution strategy to improve customer satisfaction,” shared the press release. About the appointment, Francesca Raminella, CEO of Beauty by Imagination shared in the release that Thompson-Hill is “a key addition to our talented and diverse executive team and will play an important role in partnering with our omnichannel customer to help us deliver on our mission to boost inner confidence and joy with imaginative solutions for every hair moment.”
