Innovate To Grow
The CEO Magazine Asia|August 2020
Steven Debrabandere took on the role of Kraft Heinz Indonesia managing director just under 18 months ago. Since then he’s set a new mission statement for the company and is looking forward to turning it into a reality.
Nikki Stefanoff
Innovate To Grow

After finishing a master’s degree in engineering followed by an MBA, Steven Debrabandere made the conscious decision to go into the fast-moving consumer goods industry.“My career started in 2000 with Procter & Gamble in Brussels on the management trainee program, where I worked my way up through the company’s sales and marketing department over nine years, before ending up in a sales leadership role within the Benelux Management team,” he says. “After this, I moved into a global role located in Geneva, working on market strategies for the fine fragrances businesses of Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Hugo Boss.

“I then left P&G and continued my career with RB [Reckitt Benckiser], moving to Russia as Sales Director. After three years, I moved further east and became Managing Director (within RB) for Indonesia, which is how I became known to Kraft Heinz. I was excited when they offered me the Managing Director role as it gave me the opportunity to lead the Indonesian arm of one of the biggest food companies in the world.”

From Belgium to Switzerland to Russia and now Indonesia, Steven’s career path has not only given him the opportunity to travel but also the experience of learning to work with different cultures. This is something he is incredibly grateful for, and a skill that has put him in good stead for this relatively new role.

This story is from the August 2020 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2020 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE CEO MAGAZINE ASIAView All
Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox
The CEO Magazine Asia

Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox

After years in the automotive industry, CEO Lito German is now driving change and accelerating growth for importer and distributor Sandbox Middle East.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do
The CEO Magazine Asia

They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do

CEO Chamaiporn Uerpairojkit explains how thai plastics giant tpbi was committed to sustainability long before the government made an industry-changing announcement last year.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Maverick Unicorn
The CEO Magazine Asia

Maverick Unicorn

Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is a textbook example of the startup gurus propelling their companies to billion-dollar valuations.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
''Increase The Velocity''
The CEO Magazine Asia

''Increase The Velocity''

Adapting Camfil’s business model to work at a faster pace was critical for the business to thrive in today’s China, according to managing director Michel Moulin.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
Device Manager
The CEO Magazine Asia

Device Manager

Covid-19 tore the world’s tech supply chains asunder, the effects of which are still being felt today. But through steady management and quality of work, malaysian component manufacturer analog devices has managed to thrive during the storm.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Going Antiviral
The CEO Magazine Asia

Going Antiviral

Chiaphua Industries chief marketing officer and co-founder of Germagic Hamilton Hung has transformed the appliance manufacturer into an antiviral research and development powerhouse. And he has done so with patience and vision.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Risk Vs Return
The CEO Magazine Asia

Risk Vs Return

Add pandemic fallout to a low interest-rate environment and you have a challenge for highnet-worth investors. Where might opportunities lie?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Expect The Unexpected
The CEO Magazine Asia

Expect The Unexpected

For lockton philippines insurance & reinsurance brokers ceo vic valledor, providing affordable premiums for the poorest families is vital, especially considering the recent challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
The Ultimate Investments
The CEO Magazine Asia

The Ultimate Investments

With the global economic recovery from the pandemic underway, many analysts are suggesting now is the time to invest – but will whisky, soybeans or bitcoin find a way into your portfolio?

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
The Future Of Fintech
The CEO Magazine Asia

The Future Of Fintech

Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s shift to a digital economy, and airwallex co-founder and president Lucy Liu wants to make sure there are more female fintech leaders with her at the top.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2021