The president of USA operations for the Coca-Cola Co.will retire, the Atlanta-based company announced on May 10, sparking a bevy of job changes in the region. After two decades with Coke, Hendrik Steckhan will step down at the end of July, the company stated. He has held the role since January 2016.
Coca-Cola North America's president Sandy Douglas Jr. said the firm will "realign" the leadership team "with the goal of simplifying our structure."
Hendrik ends his Coca-Cola career with a list of significant accomplishments, most recently his leadership in rejuvenating growth in the flagship North American market. He held a number of leadership positions within CCNA and elsewhere at the company. He served as president of still beverages for CCNA and from 2010 to 2014, he was president of Coca-Cola’s German business. Results in Germany grew steadily under Hendrik’s leadership, and his work contributed to the eventual refranchising of the company-owned bottling operations in Germany in 2016.
Stuart Kronauge will take on the role of business unit president of US operations and senior vice president of marketing. Kronauge will continue to be responsible for both brand and strategic marketing. Jim Dinkins will become the new president of the Minute Maid business unit and continue to lead national retail sales. Allison Higbie, vice president of Minute Maid and Simply, will move up to vice president-general manager, Juice. In addition, she will also be responsible for Juice Strategy, Juice Innovation and Minute Maid commercial organizations. Mel Landis, who has been president of the Minute Maid business unit, is moving to Atlanta and taking on a new position as senior vice president of business transformation for CCNA.
“We have a deep bench of talented executives at CCNA, and I have complete confidence that these changes will enable us to sustain and accelerate our growth,” said Douglas. "CCNA will play a critical role as the Coca-Cola Co. continues its transformation into a growth-oriented, consumer-centered total beverage company. The changes announced today will help us continue to excel in a marketplace that is fast-changing, highly complex and filled with great opportunities."
