Nestlé India has announced a leadership reshuffle across its nutrition and dairy, and chocolates and confectionery businesses, with the changes set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Gopichandar Jagatheesan, currently business executive officer (BEO) for chocolates and confectionery, will succeed Vineet Singh as BEO for nutrition and dairy. Singh, who currently heads the business, will move to a new role within a Nestlé affiliate.
Mansi Khanna, currently chief operating officer of Dr. Reddy’s and Nestlé Health Science Limited, will take over from Jagatheesan as BEO for chocolates and confectionery.
Jagatheesan joined Nestlé in 2008 and has held roles across several functions, including supply chain, sales, chilled dairy, confectionery and cereals. In his current position, he leads the company’s chocolates and confectionery business.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from BITS Pilani and a postgraduate diploma in business management from the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode. According to Nestlé India, his experience across dairy and multiple product categories will support his transition to the nutrition and dairy business.
Khanna to head chocolates and confectionery
Khanna joined Nestlé in 2017 as category marketing manager for chocolates and confectionery before taking on leadership responsibilities for the dairy portfolio. In that role, she oversaw brands including EveryDay, MILKMAID, NESCAFÉ Ready-to-Drink and MILO, with responsibilities spanning portfolio management, innovation and profit and loss.
In January 2023, she became BEO of Nestlé Health Science, where she led the team responsible for structuring the joint venture with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. She was appointed COO of the joint venture in August 2024, overseeing sales, marketing and commercial excellence.
Khanna holds an MBA in marketing from the SP Jain Institute of Management & Research and has more than 20 years of professional experience.
Nestlé India said her previous experience across chocolates and dairy, alongside her expertise in brand building, would be relevant to her new responsibilities leading the chocolates and confectionery business.
