Food Moves: Countdown’s loyalty boss, Comvita product manager, Unilever NZ head and more…

22nd April 2022 By Staff Reporter | news@foodticker.co.nz | @foodtickernz

Food and beverage sector appointments and people moves to the week of 22 April.

Countdown is importing some talent from the Woolworths team in Australia as it looks to develop and grow its loyalty programme and team.

Mark Burger has finished in his role as general manager, partners and products at everyday rewards at WooliesX and is relocating to Auckland, moving into a new role to lead loyalty at the Kiwi supermarket business.

Burger has been with the group for seven years in various digital media and loyalty roles across the supermarket chain and its liquor business BWS.

Another move at Woolworths this week.

After 27 years working in supermarkets, including 15 years as a store manager, Damian Stantiall is moving deeper into retail by taking on a purchasing role with Woolworths as equipment supply co-ordinator.

Comvita has appointed Julie Bowering as a product delivery specialist

Bowering had been with Simplot Australia for 14 years before moving to New Zealand to join the honey company.

During her time at Simplot, she held roles as a product development manager for frozen seafood and snacks, as well as a senior food technologist and projects manager responsible for the product development and commercialisation of new products across multiple brands, including Birds Eye, I&J and Chiko for frozen seafood, snacks and meals in retail and foodservice channels.

Cameron Heath has taken the reins at Unilever New Zealand, replacing former general manager Nick Bangs, who has transferred to the Sydney office of the global FMCG giant.

Heath will this month relocate from Australia to join the Auckland-based Unilever team, which counts ice cream brands Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum as part of its F&B stable.

He started the role remotely in November 2021, after being promoted to replace Bangs, who moved to Sydney to take on the role of general manager, home, beauty and personal care for Unilever Australia and New Zealand.