Spanish discount retailer Mercadona has had a shake up of its management team as it focuses on strengthening its domestic business. During the presentation of the 2012 trade results, president Juan Roig emphasised the importance of the Spanish market for the company saying, “we can’t conquer the foreign market if we haven’t reinforced our base first”. The shuffle has seen the departure of a senior executive and role changes for a further four, according to reports.
José Ramón Illán, managing director of crop purchasing, dairy products and byproducts, is to leave the company "by mutual agreement". Illán was a member of the management committee for over a decade.
Javier Bessini, appointed managing director of oil purchasing, is to leave the executive committee and return to his former post as the group’s purchasing manager, according to domestic reports. David Cid has been promoted to Bessini’s position as MD of oil purchasing.
Francisco Espert, MD of international purchasing and petroleum byproducts, will no longer hold responsibility for the international buying as Mercadona reigns in its overseas operations to focus on its domestic business. Commenting on the change of focus for the retailer, Roig said, “in the future we will surely expand our activities abroad, but the right times are yet to be defined”.
Francisco López is to assume responsibility for fruit and vegetable buying, on top of his role as managing director for logistics, construction and expansion, as the retailer has put a halt to any international expansion. The final change is that of CFO Ramon Bosch who will now take on the group’s legal affairs.
Roig is known to change the '12 apostles' of his management team regularly, which some regard as encouraging competition between the executives. Four of Roig’s management committee members have joined in the last three years, with only one to make it past the 10 year mark - José Jordá, MD of stores and perishable goods. (28 March)
© 2013 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine by Sadhbh Connor
