[axr] Sales & Marketing Collective: June 2026

Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the [axr] Sales & Marketing Collective

Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the Sales & Marketing Collective, our monthly wrap-up of the most interesting career moves across Australia's FMCG and consumer sectors.

Sales dominated this edition, accounting for half of all recorded moves, with pet care, confectionery and hygiene the busiest categories for account management moves. Asahi Beverages was the standout gainer, picking up three separate category hires from PwC, Coles Group and Essity within a single month - a clear signal of category team-building. Haribo also made a notable double hire into its NAM and NBM ranks, bolstering sales capability.

Our purpose is to enable great career decisions. If anything in this month’s edition of the Collective sparks your curiosity about your own career, or how you’re building your team, we are always here for a conversation.



Congratulations to everyone starting new roles.

Senior Appointments 

• Tom Elliott departs Retail Food Group, where he was Group Strategy & Performance Manager, to join Donut King Australia as Executive General Manager.

• Kristy Bloomfield leaves Lyre's Spirit Co, where she was CMO, Global, to join The Ben Buckler Whisky Company as CEO and Co-Founder.

• Karim Lokhandwala moves on from Procter & Gamble, where he was GM Sales - Grocery, Club & Discounters, to join Mars Petcare ANZ as Chief Customer Officer.



Sales Appointments 

• Miguel Ferreiro exits PepsiCo, where he was Field Sales Manager, to join Diageo as Account Manager.

• Christine Mak transitions from Energizer Holdings, where she was National Account Manager - Woolworths & Big W, to join Nudie as National Account Manager - Woolworths.

• Claire Hamblin steps away from Lion, where she was National Account Executive, to join The Heineken Company as Pricing & Pack Manager.

• Richard Hardwick steps across from CASF Australia, where he was Specification Manager, to join Velux as National Account Manager.

• David McCarthy moves on from JDE Peet's, where he was Trade Marketing Manager, to join HARIBO International as National Account Manager.

• Andrew Wang exits Reckitt, where he was National Account Manager - Coles, to join Haribo Australia as National Business Manager.

• Francis Fobi transitions from Church & Dwight, where he was Customer Manager - Woolworths, to join Kimberly-Clark as Customer Business Manager.

• Demmie Vasilevski steps away from VidaCorp, where she was National Account Manager - Priceline Beauty, to join Ranged as National Account Manager.

• Ryan Taylor steps across from Inghams Group Limited, where he was National Business Manager, to join Johnson & Johnson as Channel Lead - Vision Care ANZ.

• Nick Moran departs Primo, where he was National Business Manager, to join Darrell Lea as National Business Manager.

Marketing Appointments 

• Avalon Ible leaves Karma Drinks, where she was Brand Manager, to join Suntory Oceania as Maximus Brand Manager.

• Caren Vettese moves on from Lion, where she was Senior Customer Activation Manager - On Premise, to join Campari Group as Trade Marketing Manager On - Dark Spirits.

• Deandra Hennessey exits Ego Pharmaceuticals, where she was Brand Manager - QV, to join General Mills as Brand Manager - Fresh Meal Solutions.



• Lilly Kha transitions a project management role with Rugby World Cup Experiences (STH Group), to join Metcash as Marketing Coordinator.

Category Appointments 

• Justin Wanczura steps away from Woolworths Group, where he was Strategy Manager, to join The Natural Grocery Company as Head of Retail Strategy & Digital Execution.

• Charlie Cumbrae-Stewart moves from PwC, where he was Senior Consultant, to join Asahi Beverages as Regional Category Manager.

• Paul Mitsigeorgis departs Coles Group, and his role in Commercial Development, to join Asahi Beverages as Category Planning & Execution Manager.

• Vladimir Krstic leaves Proximo Spirits, where he was Category Manager, to join Noumi as National Category Manager.

• Michelle Meyers moves on from Essity, where she was Senior Category Manager, to join Asahi Beverages as Category Manager.
  

If you're looking to build your career or your team, reach out. 

Thanks, 

Andrew Cannock 

Director – Sales & Marketing [axr] Recruitment & Search