Woolworths names Steve Donohue as new Managing Director of Endeavour Drinks
Woolworths Ltd has picked Steve Donohue to be the new Managing Director of its Endeavour Drinks unit, effective July 2018. Donohue will take over from division managing director Martin Smith, who is expected to retire at the end of the financial year.
Woolworths announced on Monday that it appointed Donohue to the helm of the $8 billion Endeavour Drinks business. He is currently Woolworths' director of supermarket buying and merchandising.
Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said they were pleased to announce Donohue as Endeavour Drinks’ new managing director. "Steve rejoins our drinks team after spending the last five years rebuilding our buying and merchandising capabilities, first at Countdown in New Zealand and more recently in his role with Woolworths Supermarkets in Australia," he added, according to Sydney Morning Herald.
Banducci said Donohue has been instrumental in delivering Woolworths Supermarkets range strategy and pricing. He also helped in transforming its supplier engagement program.
Donohue had held leadership roles in buying, merchandising and marketing for Dan Murphy's and BWS. He also became an executive in the Woolworths liquor. He reportedly managed a bottle shop during his younger years.
Banducci also expressed gratitude to Smith, who has led Endeavour Drinks since 2015. He said Smith and the Endeavour Drinks team have helped build the leading business.
Smith is expected to remain in his current role until the end of June to help Donohue with the transition. Smith has had an extensive career in Retail spanning more than 45 years.
Based on his profile at Woolworths Group’s site, Smith came to Australia in 1970 when he joined Woolworths in an operational capacity. He left in 1987 and rejoined Woolworths in 1999 working with AIW and later Dan Murphy’s as General Manager. “Martin brings significant knowledge, experience and operational excellence to the role of Managing Director having held senior roles with FAL, Wesfarmers as well as an Independent Supermarket Chain,” his profile reads.
Endeavour Drinks is the nation's largest drinks retailer. It currently runs a network of over 1,500 Dan Murphy's, Pinnacle Drinks, BWS, Cellarmasters and Langton's liquor stores across Australia, and is one of the Woolworths Group's better performing divisions.
Meanwhile, Woolworths Holdings Ltd released a statement on Monday, saying that earnings per share are expected to be more than 20 percent lower. South Africa’s largest food and clothing retailer announced a revaluation of its David Jones business in Australia.