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Dairy cooperative Agropur has strengthened its management board with three senior appointments as it continues to focus on long-term growth, business transformation and modernising its manufacturing operations.
Peter Filato has joined Agropur as senior vice president and chief financial officer, bringing more than 25 years of experience leading finance organisations and transformation initiatives.
Filato has previously worked across organisational transformation, business model optimisation and operational performance improvement. His experience also includes leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex integration and transformation programmes in changing business environments.
Agropur has also appointed Elisa Plevano as senior vice president and chief information officer, adding information technology representation to its management board for the first time.
Plevano brings more than 20 years of experience in using technology to drive business transformation. She will play a key role as Agropur works towards a more modern manufacturing model, with technology expected to become increasingly important in improving operational performance, supporting innovation and creating business value.
The cooperative said the appointment reflects the growing strategic importance of technology across its operations, as manufacturers increasingly look to digital capabilities to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Olivier Gardère has been appointed president, category cheese Canada. Gardère has spent eight years at Agropur, where he has focused on strengthening the cooperative’s commercial capabilities through sales and go-to-market strategy.
In his new role, Gardère will lead Agropur’s combined cheese and butter category in Canada. His responsibilities will include driving value creation for the cooperative and its customers, building capabilities and supporting long-term growth amid increasing competition.
The three appointments form part of Agropur’s wider efforts to strengthen its leadership capabilities and accelerate its transformation.
The cooperative said the expanded management board is intended to bring together complementary expertise across finance, technology and commercial operations, supporting its ambition to become the dairy partner of choice for the industry.
The changes come as dairy companies face pressure to improve operational efficiency while responding to shifting consumer demand, technological developments and an increasingly competitive market.
Agropur said the strengthened leadership team will help create greater value for its members, customers and employees while supporting the cooperative’s long-term growth strategy.