Saputo unveils shuffle as COO steps down

MONTREAL Dairy giant Saputo Inc. says Kai Bockmann is stepping down as the company’s president and chief operating officer ahead of his retirement this March.

The Montreal-based dairy processor says effective immediately Carl Colizza, president and chief operating officer of North America, and Leanne Cutts, president and chief operating officer of international and Europe, will report to Lino A. Saputo. Saputo will now serve as president in addition to his role as board chair and chief executive.

The company has struggled in recent months as COVID-19 disruptions, labour shortages and supply chain turmoil weighed on it’s bottom line.

Saputo has ushered in price increases to cope with inflation, yet the company said in November those higher prices are failing to keep up with rising costs.