Mondelēz leadership change - summary
- Mondelēz International appoints Luca Zaramella as combined EVP, COO and CFO
- He will oversee global regions and corporate sales marketing functions
- Zaramella continues reporting directly to chair and chief executive Dirk
- Company begins search for new CFO as leadership structure evolves
- Move signals push for agility and stronger execution across snacking markets
Mondelēz International has announced the appointment of Luca Zaramella to Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 February 2026.
In addition to his existing position as CFO, Zaramella will be responsible for the company’s commercial operations in its four geographical regions as well as the corporate sales, marketing and supply chain functions.
According to a statement by the confectionery and snacking giant, Zaramella will continue to report directly to chair and CEO Dirk Van de Put.
The American multinational is now conducting a search for a new CFO position.
“I am pleased to announce Luca’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer,” says Van de Put. “Luca is a strong operational and financial leader with deep knowledge of our business and a consistent record of driving strong results. It is vital that we stay agile and continue to raise the bar on our operational excellence in an environment that has never been more dynamic. I am confident that Luca is the right leader to further elevate our execution and accelerate our performance as we realize the promise of our growth agenda.”
Zaramella has been a member of Mondelēz International’s leadership team as CFO since 2018.
“I’m honored to step into this role for Mondelēz, expanding my focus on executional excellence and commercial performance across our organization,” says Zaramella. “I am inspired by our people, brands and capabilities, with vast potential to deliver attractive, long-lasting growth and create value for years to come.”
A new era for Mondelēz
As Mondelēz enters this next phase of its transformation, Zaramella’s expanded remit signals a deliberate push towards tighter integration between financial discipline and commercial execution.
The dual COO and CFO structure is uncommon among global FMCG players, suggesting Mondelēz is aiming for faster decision‑making and sharper alignment across its regional markets, brand strategies and supply networks.
The move also comes at a pivotal moment for the wider confectionery and snacking sector. With financial pressures easing but commodity cost volatility and shifting consumer habits still reshaping the competitive landscape, manufacturers are increasingly looking to streamline operations while investing in premiumisation, better‑for‑you innovation and digital commerce. Mondelēz’s decision to elevate a proven financial leader into a broader operational role may set a precedent for peers seeking steadier growth and greater organisational agility.
All eyes will now be on how Mondelēz balances efficiency with its ambition to accelerate growth across core categories. If successful, the company’s re‑aligned leadership model could influence how global snacking giants approach structure, strategy and execution in the years ahead, shaping not only Mondelēz’s trajectory, but potentially the next chapter for the broader confectionery and snacks industry.
