Sandeep Desai has been appointed vice president: Manufacturing, Unilever South Africa effective from March. In his new role, Desai will be tasked with driving operational excellence in the manufacturing teams in South Africa.

His appointment will be instrumental in achieving a greater level of focused leadership to drive manufacturing excellence; delivery of the massive manufacturing capacity investment and the development of deep manufacturing capabilities in South Africa.

He has been with Unilever since March 2002 and has since held several positions: Food Ingredients Supply Management (March 2002 to Octoberc 2002); Regional Supply Management – Flexible Packaging (AMET) (October 2002 to October 2003); Assistant Regional Supply Manager – Chemicals (AMET) (October 2003 to October 2004); Ingredients & Spices Supply Manager – South African Foods Business (October 2004 to October 2006); Operations Manager – Unilever Fountain Park (October 2006 to December 2008); Sourcing Unit Director – SCC & LIT (Margarine and Ice Tea) (January 2009 to October 2010) and Sourcing Unit Director – Home Care (October 2010 to February 2013).

He obtained a Bachelor of Science (Engineering) Electro – Mechanical degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT).