Mars Food and Nutrition names Karina Zimerfeld as its new vice president
Karina Zimerfeld has been appointed a Vice President of the Mars Food & Nutrition business’ R&D function, working across its international operations, writes Neill Barston.
According to the company, she will oversee research and development, quality and food safety, as well science and technology issues, including regulatory affairs topics, joining a team of 2000 associates working across 30 countries.
Zimerfeld is set to report to Shaid Shah, President Mars Food & Nutrition, and will serve as a member of the Global Food & Nutrition Leadership Team, and the Mars, Incorporated, Global R&D Leadership Team.
As the company noted, it has set out a goal to build a vibrant, fast-growing portfolio of nutritious, flavourful, convenient products, ranging from Ben’s Original, Masterfoods, Seeds of Change, Tasty Bite and Dolmio.
Shah said: “Food has a unique role in the fabric of humanity. It not only fuels us, but brings people together, is central to our health and wellness, and connects us with our planet. I’m thrilled to have Karina join us as we continue our journey as an innovative, purpose driven food business of tomorrow. With 25-years of deep experience in innovation, science and technology Karina will play an integral role in helping us pursue further growth and innovation, drive value for consumers and make a positive impact on society.”
Zimerfeld joins Mars after an outstanding 25-year career with Unilever, where she was most recently Global Vice President R&D for Unilever’s foodservice business unit leading it through a significant business transformation with numerous initiatives focused on digital, customer-centric, healthy and sustainable innovations. Prior, she held several senior R&D leadership roles based in Latin America, Europe and globally for multiple food and nutrition categories, both in business-to-consumer and business-to-business.
Zimerfeld said: “As a food lover myself, I’m excited to join the Mars Food & Nutrition team and look forward to leading the charge to use science, technology and innovation to capture opportunities for consumers, while in parallel creating a better, more sustainable world of food. And with evolving consumer needs, a pressing climate change, and advances in technology, this is an incredibly exciting time to be in Food!”
Zimerfeld has a degree in food engineering and an MBA, underpinning a strong track record of leveraging science, technology and external partnerships to create value for brands and growth opportunities for businesses.
