Unathi Mhlatyana has been named as the Managing Director for Southern Africa at Mondelēz International, starting from March 1, 2024. With over 22 years of leadership experience in the FMCG sector, Mhlatyana brings substantial expertise in crafting and executing strategic initiatives to his latest position.
Mhlatyana’s assignation forms part of Mondelēz International’s drive to make strategic leadership appointments that advance growth of the snacking leader’s Sub-Saharan Africa business unit.
He joins Mondelēz International after three years as Managing Director at McCain Foods and, prior to that, three years as Senior Director and General Manager South African Snacks (Simba) at PepsiCo.
His earlier work experience includes a stint in project engineering at HJS Automotive, with specific focus on robotics programming; eight years at the Eveready/Gillette Group in process engineering, quality control and manufacturing; and 10 years at SAB/AB InBev where he fulfilled various leadership roles in sales, marketing, distribution, general management and projects.
A member of the Institute of Directors (IODSA), with board experience at Simba from 2018 to 2021 and McCain SAF and McCain Farms of the Future Africa from 2021 to 2024, Mhlatyana is a team player and strategic thinker who leads by developing and implementing cutting-edge business strategies.
He is proficient in the execution of comprehensive business plans, ensuring cost-effective operations and promoting market development activities to facilitate revenue generation, people development and business growth.
His qualifications include a Btech Quality; a degree in Labour Law & Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Nelson Mandela University.
Owen Cressey, the President of Mondelēz International’s Business Unit for Sub-Saharan Africa, expresses the company’s enthusiasm in welcoming Mhlatyana on board. “Mondelēz believes in nurturing individuals with top-tier talents and exceptional abilities,” Cressey remarks. “We extend our best wishes to Unathi as he embarks on his new role, and we eagerly anticipate his leadership in advancing our mission of ‘snacking made right’ and upholding our position as a leading snacking brand in the region.”
