Refresco has appointed Minsok Pak as president and chief strategy and transformation officer.

In the newly created position, Pak will join Refresco’s executive committee and report directly to CEO Steve Presley. He will lead the beverage solutions provider’s global corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions activity, while overseeing transformation programmes focused on operational performance and commercial effectiveness.

Pak brings 35 years of experience across the consumer and retail sectors. Most recently, he served as global CEO of CJ Foods, leading a business operating in more than 75 markets. He has also held senior strategy, transformation and innovation roles at Mondelēz International and Target Corporation.

Earlier in his career, Pak worked at The Lego Group, where he oversaw branded retail and channel development across more than 200 stores worldwide. He also spent more than two decades as a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, advising consumer and retail companies across the US, Asia and Europe.

Presley said: “Minsok has spent his career leading large-scale strategy and transformation at companies operating at this scale. He brings a strong track record of creating long-term value, along with deep experience in M&A and operations, and I’m confident he is well suited to lead the business at this important stage in Refresco’s growth.”

Commenting on his appointment, Pak added: “The beverage industry is changing faster than at any point in a generation. Brands are outsourcing production, private label is taking structural share, and entirely new categories are scaling faster than most manufacturers can follow.”

The appointment follows Refresco’s acquisition of North American supply chain solutions provider SunOpta, which expanded the company’s plant-based and protein manufacturing capabilities, foodservice channel access and presence across North America.