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Frankgerald Stepp will join the McVitie’s owner in January 2027, succeeding Mario Reis following a period of investment in manufacturing capacity and supply chain resilience.

Global snacking company Pladis has appointed former Kerry Group executive Frankgerald Stepp as chief supply chain officer, as it looks to build on a multi-year transformation of its global manufacturing and supply chain network.

Stepp will join the business in January 2027, taking responsibility for its end-to-end supply chain across more than 110 markets. He will succeed Mario Reis, who is retiring at the end of 2026 after almost a decade with the company.

The appointment follows significant investment in Pladis’ manufacturing operations, including £68 million across its UK bakeries, expanded capabilities at its Cairo facility, increased production capacity in France and strengthened operations in Türkiye and the US.

In 2025, the company invested more than £100 million in capital expenditure to improve capacity, productivity and resilience across its manufacturing network.

Pladis, whose portfolio includes McVitie’s, Ülker and Godiva, said the appointment would support the next phase of its growth following the transformation of its manufacturing footprint and capabilities.

Stepp joins from Kerry Group, where he most recently served as chief operations officer of its biotechnology business and global vice-president of manufacturing.

He has also held senior leadership positions at ARYZTA, Kraft Foods and Mondelez International, including responsibility for operations across Mondelez’s European snacking business.

Geraldine Fraser, chief HR officer at pladis, said Reis and his teams had played a central role in developing the company's manufacturing and supply chain network.

“Through significant investment and transformation, he has helped create a stronger platform for growth across our business,” she said.

Fraser added that Stepp's baking industry expertise, international experience and track record of leading complex organisations would support the company's next stage of development.

“He joins us at an important point in our journey and will build on the strong foundations already in place as we focus on the next phase of growth,” she said.

Stepp said: “Pladis has built an impressive portfolio of brands and a strong manufacturing network across its markets. I'm looking forward to joining the business and working with colleagues around the world to build on that foundation and support the company's long-term ambitions.”