We ask industry leaders five questions about their working life. This month we talk to Pepsico CEO Danny Celoni before he departs for CUB in February 2022. This article first appeared in the October 2021 issue of Food and Drink Business.
1. Tell us about your current role.
As CEO I am responsible for PepsiCo’s snacks and beverages business and our portfolio of successful brands including Smith’s, Doritos, Red Rock Deli, Pepsi Max and Gatorade.
We are committed to employing local, growing local and manufacturing local. We employ 1500 people, spend $120million annually on Aussie potatoes, corn, canola and oats and operate two manufacturing sites in Queensland and South Australia.
2. What has been yourgreatest achievement to date?
Since starting in the role in 2018 the team and I have been focused on category growth – taking the business beyond the chip aisle through product innovation and tapping in to new segments and formats. For example taking iconic chip brands that consumers know and love and developing new product offerings like Smith’s Baked (a baked chip with 50 per cent less fat) and Red Rock Deli Crackers.
I am also passionate about “Winning with Purpose” – the global PepsiCo vision of winning sustainably in the marketplace. For the ANZ business this includes helping build a more sustainable food system by improving packaging, farming practices and manufacturing footprint. We are also committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and giving back to the communities in which we operate.
3. What was your biggest mistake & what did you learn?
Be your authentic self. Be proud of who you are, where you came from, and who you will become. Don’t try to emulate others. The times I have moved away from the core of who I am, I have not operated at my best, and I’ve not been happy. Our individuality iswhat makes us special, and the world is looking for people who are authentic, unique, and who bring their true selves to the table.
4. What would you tell your 25-year-old self?
I’ve learned you can love the outcome of hard times, just as much as the good times. Tough times have brought me the biggest growth and learnings, more than all the years I thought were easy. Believe in yourself and believe you will find a way through. Regardless of the outcome, you will come out stronger, and with a broad toolkit of learnings.
5. What is one goal you still want to achieve?
Personally and professionally I want to focus my efforts on building a more sustainable food system. I believe we need to hold ourselves accountable and as a business we’ve already made some great strides: 100 per cent of our snacks packaging is recyclable; 100 per cent of our potatoes are sourced sustainably; and we are committed to 100 per cent renewable electricity by the end of this year. But there is more to be done. We are looking at initiatives like compostable packaging, regenerative farming practices and strengthening our community partnerships with organisations like Foodbank.
