PepsiCo has appointed Nitin Bhandari as vice president and general manager for India and South Asia Beverages. Based in Gurugram, Bhandari will oversee the company’s beverage operations in the region, focusing on growth, consumer engagement, and strengthening ties with stakeholders and communities, the company commented. From what is understood, he succeeds George Kovoor, senior vice president and general manager,India Beverages, who is set to retire on 31 March, 2025.
“Excited to lead our beverages business in India & South Asia. Grateful to Eugene Willemsen & Jagrut Kotecha for this opportunity, and deeply appreciative of George Kovoor’s leadership over the last 3 years to set such a strong foundation for this business. Looking forward to partnering with our incredible team and bottling partners to unlock potential and create meaningful value for our consumer, communities & stakeholders in this vibrant region,” Bhandar said.
With nearly two decades of experience at PepsiCo, Bhandari has held various leadership roles across India, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. As vice president and chief growth officer for PepsiCo India, he spearheaded transformational strategies for the company’s food and beverage portfolios across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. According to the company, his notable achievements include revitalizing PepsiCo’s food business in Thailand, leading e-commerce innovations across Asia, and crafting marketing strategies for flagship brands like Mountain Dew in India.