LONDON — Mars Food & Nutrition has named Karina Zimerfeld as VP of the business’ R&D function.
Zimerfeld will report to Shaid Shah, president of Mars Food & Nutrition. She will serve as a member of the Global Food & Nutrition and Global R&D leadership teams.
“Food has a unique role in the fabric of humanity. It not only fuels us, but brings people together, is central to our health and wellness, and connects us with our planet,” Shah said. “I’m thrilled to have Karina join us as we continue our journey as an innovative, purpose driven food business of tomorrow. With 25 years of deep experience in innovation, science and technology, Karina will play an integral role in helping us pursue further growth and innovation, drive value for consumers and make a positive impact on society.”
In her role, Zimerfeld will oversee R&D innovation, quality and food safety, science and technology, and scientific regulatory affairs.
“As a food lover myself, I’m excited to join the Mars Food & Nutrition team and look forward to leading the charge to use science, technology and innovation to capture opportunities for consumers, while in parallel creating a better, more sustainable world of food,” Zimerfeld said. “And with evolving consumer needs, a pressing climate change and advances in technology, this is an incredibly exciting time to be in food!”
She comes to Mars after a 25-year career with Unilever, where she served as global VP R&D for the company’s foodservice business unit. She led the unit through a business transformation with many initiatives focused on digital, customer-centric, healthy and sustainable innovations. Prior to her role at Unilever, she held multiple R&D leadership positions in Latin American, Europe and globally for multiple food and nutrition categories, in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business.
