Barry Callebaut has appointed former Mondelēz International executive Thomas Gaengler as chief operating officer and Executive Committee member from 1 September 2026, restoring a standalone COO position after almost three years.
Gaengler brings more than 30 years of experience across supply chains, procurement and operations. Most recently, he led Mondelēz’s end-to-end supply chain across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, after spending four years as its global chief procurement officer.
Chief executive Hein Schumacher said Gaengler would help advance the company’s focus on ‘customer-centricity, operational excellence’ and its Focus for Growth priorities. The strategy is intended to stabilise core operations and concentrate resources on fewer growth priorities.
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The appointment, framed as a renewed emphasis on supply-chain resilience and operational efficiency, reinstates a role removed in 2023, when operational responsibilities were placed under Chief Customer Supply and Development Officer Clemens Woehrle.
First FMCG founder Vitali Dziadul offered a sharper interpretation on LinkedIn, arguing: “The leaner leadership model didn't survive contact with reality.”
Barry Callebaut has not characterised the appointment as a reversal of its earlier structure.
CocoaRadar View
Recreating the COO position concentrates accountability as Barry Callebaut navigates demanding cocoa markets, customer-service pressures and more complex sourcing requirements. The key test will be whether Gaengler can deliver measurable improvements in supply reliability, manufacturing efficiency, and customer satisfaction.