Jim Beam-maker Beam Suntory has appointed Olga Osminkina-Jones to be its first-ever chief innovation, R&D and RTD officer.
She joins Beam Suntory on 30 September and she will report to Jessica Spence, president of brands.
In this new position, Osminkina-Jones will lead global innovation, global research and development, and the ready-to-drink (RTD) business in the North American and International regions for products developed outside of Japan.
She will join Beam Suntory from PepsiCo, where she has served as vice president and general manager, global hydration portfolio and innovation and has most recently been focused on premium global food and beverages.
Innovation
“As we pursue our growth ambitions, innovation will play an increasingly important role, and we also see that ready-to-drink products present a massive growth opportunity for us, at the crossroads of important consumer trends such as refreshment, better-for-you and convenience,” said Albert Baladi, president and CEO of Beam Suntory.
“That’s why we’ve created the position of chief innovation, R&D and RTD officer, and why Olga is ideally suited for this new role. Olga is a dynamic leader and a passionate brand builder, innovator and marketer with a keen focus on luxury and premium products and a track record of disrupting categories.”
Osminkina-Jones brings 18 years of experience at Pepsi, Danone, Heineken, Estée Lauder and Procter & Gamble, and has worked in a variety of roles across developed and emerging markets, based out of Moscow, Geneva, Paris and New York.
“Olga’s depth of expertise, coupled with Suntory’s legendary capability in innovation, product development and the RTD category, is a powerful combination that can help accelerate our global premium spirits ambitions for years to come,” Baladi added.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
