[axr] Sales & Marketing Collective: March 2026

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

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

March saw a small number of significant appointments at the senior leadership level alongside increased movement across sales, marketing, and category roles. Brand and digital leaders are increasingly stepping into broader transformation remits, while sales talent continues to flow across grocery, petcare, liquor and emerging channels. As always, if any of these moves spark ideas for your next hire - or your next move - we’d love to connect.

Congratulations to everyone starting new moves.

Senior Appointments 

• Michael Tolhurst departs Sorbent Paper Company, where he was GM – Sales, to take on the role of Commercial Manager – ANZ at Smurfit Westrock.

• Nora‑Kate O’Connell moves on from KFC, stepping out of her CMO – North Asia role to become Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut (Flynn Group ANZ).

• Clare Smeaton transitions from her position as Investment Director, Real Assets to take up the role of General Manager – Strategy and Growth at Inghams Group Limited. 

Sales Appointments 

• Anishka Tewari leaves Scholl, where she was National Account Manager, to join Real Pet Food as Senior National Account Manager.

• Vincent Chircop moves from Simplot Australia, departing his National Account Manager – Woolworths role to become National Account Manager – Grocery at DKSH.

• Mo Haque exits Asahi Beverages, where he was National Account Manager, to join The Cordina Group as National Business Manager.

• Bryn Randall departs Kreglinger Wine Estates as National Sales Manager to become Head of Sales at Capital Brewing Co.

• Brad Longbottom leaves Real Pet Food Company, stepping away from his National Account Manager role to join Antinol® UK as Commercial Manager – Australia.

• Ashley Field moves on from PFD Food Services Pty Ltd, where he was National Account Manager, to join Red Bull as National Account Manager – Distributor Partners.

• Jimena Cardenas transitions from Procter & Gamble, leaving her Senior Category Development Manager role to take on a National Account Manager position at ZURU Edge.

• Brenton Gillies departs Fonterra, where he was Field Sales Manager – Victoria, to become State Field Sales Manager – Victoria at Lactalis‑Mainland Dairy.

• Bradley Thumm leaves De Bortoli Wines as Field Sales Leader – Queensland to join Campari Group as Field Sales Manager (QLD / NSW).

• Rachael Frost exits Bayer Australia, stepping out of her eCommerce Experience Manager role to join McPherson’s Consumer Products as Omnichannel Manager – eCommerce.

• Jarrad Linke moves on from The a2 Milk Company, where he was Senior National Account Manager, to become Head of Sales at GYM BOD.

• Hannah Thorne leaves Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions, departing her Commercial Strategy Manager role to take up the position of National Business Manager – Woolworths at McCain Foods.

• Charlotte Cain transitions from Shine+ Drink, where she was Head of Sales, to join Blackmores Group as National Account Manager – Woolworths.

Marketing Appointments 

• Greer Smyth departs JDE Peet’s, where she was Marketing Activation Specialist, to join Real Pet Food as Assistant Brand Manager.

• Christine Le Maitre leaves iNova Pharmaceuticals, stepping out of her Head of Marketing role to become Marketing Manager – Health at McPherson’s Consumer Products.

• Taylah Ide‑Miller moves from Hartmann Group, where she was Product Manager, to join SharkNinja as Product Specialist.

• Kevin Lo exits SFI Health, departing his Global Digital Content Manager role to join Blackmores as Bioceuticals Digital Marketing Manager.

• Samantha Samarawickrama transitions from Primo Foods, where she was Brand Manager, to My Muscle Chef as Senior Brand Manager. 

• Francesca Cissell leaves Macquarie Group, where she was Head of Marketing, Consumer & Lending, to join SMEG as Head of Marketing.

• Alexandra Khmelevskaya moves on from Procter & Gamble, leaving her eCommerce Lead – Woolworths role to join Diageo as Regional Customer Marketing Manager.

• Alison Hinkson departs Lion, where she held the role of Group Data & Strategic Intelligence Director, to join Landor as Executive Director – Brand Performance.

• Anna Webster leaves BWS, stepping away from her Head of Growth & Retention position to become Head of Digital & Omnichannel at Vinarchy.

• Karen Todd transitions from GWF, where she was Brand Manager, to join Homart Wellness in the same role.

• Ryan Guthrie moves from Goodman Fielder, departing his Marketing Manager – Premium position to take up the role of Marketing Director – ANZ at Kerry.



• Annelie Pennock exits Reckitt, where she was Category Marketing Manager – Germ Protection & Personal Care, to join ZURU Edge as Global Marketing Director – Baby.

Category Appointments 

• Mairead McElvanna leaves Lion, stepping out of her Strategic Intelligence & Insights Manager role to join Quantium as Senior Insights Consultant.

• Anna Barclay transitions from Real Pet Food Company, where she was Demand Planner, to Suntory Oceania as Senior Demand Planner.

• Todd Spencer moves on from Kraft Heinz, leaving his Finance Manager role to join Scalene as Team Lead – Pricing and Promotions.

• Angela L departs Kimberly‑Clark, where she was Senior Category Development Manager – Adult & Period Care, to join The Arnott’s Group as Shopper Insight & Portfolio Strategy Manager.

• Michelle Delacorn leaves Carman’s Kitchen, stepping away from her Head of Operations role to become IBP Manager at Pure Dairy.

• Jessica Atkins transitions from Kinrise, where she was Category & Consumer Insights Manager, to join Fonterra as Category Manager – Chilled Spreads. 

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



Thanks,

Andrew Cannock

Director – Sales & Marketing

[axr] Recruitment & Search