Mondelēz Announces Volker Kuhn as New Europe Leader
Mondelēz International has named Volker Kuhn as its new Executive Vice President and President for Europe, effective April 1, 2025. Kuhn will take over from Vinzenz Gruber, who has announced his retirement on the same date. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Kuhn will join the company on January 6, 2025, working alongside Gruber in the months leading up to the handover.
A Leader with Global Expertise
Kuhn brings decades of experience in driving growth and transformation within the consumer goods industry. He currently leads Reckitt’s hygiene business, its largest global division, where he has accelerated performance through innovation and consumer-focused strategies.
Before joining Reckitt, Kuhn spent 26 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G), where he spearheaded numerous successful initiatives. These include the strategic carve-out of Duracell, which he sold to Berkshire Hathaway, and a decade leading the Pringles Snacks division in Europe. His career has spanned roles in brand marketing, finance, business development, and general management across markets in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa.
Driving Mondelēz’s European Vision
Kuhn’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Mondelēz, which reported $36 billion in revenues in 2023 and leads the global snacking industry with iconic brands like Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Toblerone, and Ritz. His vast expertise in transformation and category growth is expected to strengthen the company’s position in Europe, a critical region for its business.
Dirk Van de Put, Chair and CEO of Mondelēz International, expressed confidence in Kuhn’s leadership: “Volker’s track record in driving growth and innovation will be instrumental in leading our European operations into the future. We thank Vinzenz Gruber for his remarkable contributions and wish him the best in retirement.”
Building on Legacy
Kuhn will inherit a robust European market built under Gruber’s leadership. Over the years, Mondelēz Europe has become a key player in the snacking industry, focusing on consumer-centric innovation and sustainability initiatives. Kuhn’s leadership is expected to further propel growth while reinforcing Mondelēz’s commitment to “snacking right” across over 150 countries worldwide.
With a legacy of strong leadership and a vision for the future, Mondelēz International is poised to continue shaping the snacking industry with its iconic brands and global reach.