Mars has appointed Melodie Nye as managing director and general manager Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), of its Pet Nutrition division. Craig Sargeant, who has been in the role, will move to global vice president for Strategic Revenue Management.
Nye is currently chief growth officer for Mars Pet Nutrition Europe and has been with Mars for more than 12 years. Mars said she has extensive experience in senior marketing, innovation and leadership roles in both Europe and the US.
Prior to joining Mars, she held executive roles at Kraft Foods and was an intelligence officer in the US Air Force.
Mars Pet Nutrition regional president, Developed APAC, Deri Watkins, said Australia and New Zealand are among the most pet-loving countries in the world.
“Over 60 per cent of households owning at least one pet. That pet passion presents a huge opportunity for us to keep evolving and meeting the growing expectations of pet parents.
“Melodie is a bold, purpose-driven leader who looks at things differently, especially when it comes to how we meet the changing needs of pet parents and the fast-moving world of pet nutrition.
“She really gets what today’s consumers expect, and that makes her perfectly placed to strengthen our customer partnerships and keep delivering the trusted, innovative products and brands that pet parents want and expect into the future,” Watkins said.
Mars is one of the country’s largest domestic petfood manufacturers. It employs more than 800 people and has three manufacturing plants and brands include Pedigree, Whiskas, Advance, Optimum, Dine, and Schmackos. According to Mars its pet nutrition supply chain sources ingredients, equipment, and materials from more than 200 local suppliers.
Nye said “Growing with a business that champions bold innovation, meaningful community impact, and a future-focused approach to pet nutrition has been a privilege.
“I’m energised by the opportunity to build on this momentum and how we stay ahead of the curve by strengthening our role as a trusted partner to customers and continuing to delight and meet the needs of pet parents across Australia and New Zealand.”
In 2023, Mars Pet Nutrition announced a $112.6 million investment in its Wodonga plant to bring pet food manufacturing onshore and employ a further 60 people. The 7800 m2 facility will house two advanced single serve pouch lines to produce for Whiskas, Advance, Optimum, Dine, and new product ranges, with an annual capacity of 25kT, or 290 million pouches.
It was also installing a $39.3 million solar thermal plant at the site, the first commercial installation of an 18-megawatt parabolic trough concentrated solar thermal (CST) plant that will provide up to 10 hours of thermal energy storage for cooking petfood.
Watkins said Nye was leaving behind a strong legacy of leadership, innovation, and commitment to the company’s growth in Europe and US.
“Melodie’s appointment is a testament to the exceptional calibre of talent within Mars and reflects our ongoing commitment to nurturing and elevating world-class leaders,” he said.
