Konstantin Merkviladze is the new CEO of PepsiCo in the Western Balkans

PepsiCo has appointed Konstantin Merkviladze as the new general manager for the southern markets of Central Europe and the Baltic countries. He will be in charge of the operations of 14 markets in this region, which he will manage from Belgrade. Former CEO Nuno Pinto Leite continued his career as CEO of PepsiCo France. 

Merkviladze comes to Serbia from the position of general manager of PepsiCo Kavkaz (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia), where he and his team contributed to the continuity of revenue growth in business, with special results in volume growth in the snacks category. In addition, as a leader in the dairy business in the aforementioned markets, he implemented key initiatives that resulted in a remarkable turnaround in profitability. 

Merkviladze states that he takes on this position with great pleasure. 

"I am honored to have joined this extremely successful team and markets that are synonymous with a positive development trend. We will work together to promote business growth and constant innovation in all business segments, in order to continue to respond to market demands and follow the needs of our consumers. At the same time, we remain committed to the well-being of our employees, as well as the local community, guided by the global postulates of PepsiCo's positive practices," he said. 

During his 20-year career, Merkviladze has held leadership positions in the retail and FMCG industries, with a focus on marketing, sales, and e-commerce. Guided by the principles of pep+'s sustainable development strategy and its commitment to empowering talent and the work environment, he will lead the snacks business in more than 10 markets, with a team of more than 1,200 employees. 

In this position, Merkviladze will replace the current general manager Nuna Pinto Leite, who continued his career in France, as the general director of the company. During the previous 3 years, Pinto Leite played a key role in maintaining a leadership position in the market, encouraging innovation and efficiency in the business environment. His commitment to fostering a culture of talent and open communication contributed to good business results.