Piyush Patnaik to lead Cargill India as managing director

US food company Cargill on Tuesday announced the appointment of Piyush Patnaik as the new managing director (MD) of its edible oil businesses in India. Cargill India sells edible oils under various brands, including NatureFresh and Gemini. It markets olive oil under ‘Leonardo’ brand. “Patnaik will be taking over from Deoki Muchhal who has left the organisation after 15 years,” the company said in a statement.

Before joining Cargill in 2006, Patnaik worked with large consumer companies, including Coca-Cola and Dabur, it said.

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Prior to his appointment as MD, Patnaik served as the strategy and business development head for Cargill’s oils business in India, the company said.

“Cargill’s oil business in India has thrived under many inspiring leaders and it is a privilege for me to now lead this winning team. I look forward to building upon our accomplishments and help better serve our consumers and stakeholder,” Patnaik said.

During his 12 years of a stint with the US major food company, Patnaik has held key positions in various functions including procurement, sales, business development, M&A and supply chain management, the company said.

Patnaik will now be leading the Cargill’s India chapter with more than 3,500 employees working across offices, warehouses, and plants.

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In India, Cargill’s operations started in 1987. It has businesses in refined oils, food ingredients, grain and oilseeds.

Ever since its inception in 1865, the Minneapolis-based Cargill company, founded by William Wallace Cargill, has grown from a grain storage facility into an international producer and distributor of agricultural products such as sugar, refined oil, chocolate and turkey, the company said.

(With PTI inputs)