Mondelēz International has announced the appointment of Russell Coleman as Senior Director, People Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing a seasoned human resources executive with over 25 years of leadership experience to a key role within the global snacking giant. Coleman joins the company from Volkswagen Group Africa, where he served as Director, and his appointment is effective immediately.
Coleman’s career spans multiple industries, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), automotive, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing. His diverse background has equipped him with a deep understanding of organisational dynamics, talent management, and the complexities of leading people strategies across varied business environments. In his new role, Coleman will be responsible for driving the people agenda across Mondelēz’s Sub-Saharan Africa operations, strengthening organisational capability, and supporting the company’s ambitious growth plans for the region.
Mondelēz International, which owns beloved brands such as Cadbury, OREO, and Halls, has identified Sub-Saharan Africa as a key growth market. Coleman’s mandate will be to ensure that the company’s human capital is aligned with its strategic objectives, fostering a culture of high performance, inclusion, and continuous development.
Notably, Coleman is returning to Mondelēz after earlier roles at Cadbury/Kraft Foods, where he played an instrumental part in integrating the two businesses following the landmark merger. His familiarity with the company’s culture, brands, and operational footprint is expected to accelerate his impact in the new role.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Mondelēz and to lead the people agenda in a region as dynamic and full of potential as Sub-Saharan Africa,” Coleman said. “I look forward to working with the talented teams across the region to build on the strong foundation that has already been laid.”
His appointment signals Mondelēz’s commitment to investing in regional leadership as it seeks to deepen its presence in Africa’s rapidly evolving consumer markets. With Coleman at the helm of the people function, the company is positioning itself to attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to drive its next phase of growth.
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