Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced a number of changes to its commercial leadership roster, most notably that it would replace current vice president of U.S. sales, David Almeida.
In separate notes sent to both employees and wholesalers, Zone North America president João Castro Neves said Almeida, who had served as the company’s VP of U.S. sales since 2011, would be named to a “global special project” and report directly to CEO Carlos Brito.
According to the note, Almeida was responsible for upgrading sales and execution capabilities, including the creation of the company’s trade marketing organization the development of channel-specific trade programs, during his time as VP.
“While share has remained under pressure, David and his team were able to drive positive sales growth, to outperform our largest competitor in sales to retailer trends in 13 out of the last 15 quarters, to grow share in the high-end segment and to take leadership of the flavored malt beverage segment through superior execution behind the Rita franchise,” Castro Neves wrote.
Almeida will be replaced by Alexandre Médicis, who most served as vice president of sales in Brazil sine 2013.
“In that role, he and his team increased off-trade execution with the biggest retailer in Brazil and Prom-opti and reached all-time high market share in this channel,” wrote Castro Neves.
Médicis joined A-B InBev in 2005 as M&A director and participated in the acquisition and integration of Quilmes in South America, Lakeport in Canada and Cervejaria Cintra in Brazil, Castro Neves noted.
He will be replaced by Ricardo Melo, who previously served on the North American Zone management committee as vice president of sales strategy and wholesaler development.
Bob Tallett, the vice president of business and wholesaler development, and Mike Zacharias, who leads trade marketing, will now report directly to Médicis.