Cédric Schurter

Head of HR NHSc International Business & Global Strategy and Marketing

Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

About

What I am recognized and valued for: o Constructive leadership, purpose driven, high personal integrity, approachable & authentic; o HR leadership experience across multiple business contexts (Technical Operations/ Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Marketing & Innovation, R&D, Markets, Joint Venture, GMB) and product categories (F&B - confectionary, cereals -, medical nutrition, consumer care/VMS, pharmaceuticals) at country & international/global levels; o Experience leading, coaching & empowering direct & indirect teams across multiple geographies; o Strategic thinking coupled with the ability to act quickly and decisively to provide effective solutions; o Experience managing multiple major change initiatives & projects internationally in fast changing contexts, including organization development & design, and restructuring (business expansion, new businesses integration, site closure - incl. group & individual consultations); o Extensive experience with continuous improvement / KAIZEN leadership, methodologies & practices to drive team alignment, engagement & development, effective ways of working, and efficiencies o Ability to engage, partner and influence within matrix organizations, and across diverse stakeholders’ landscape & geographies through cross-functional and collaborative thinking; o Sense of ownership and enthusiasm about achieving challenging commitments, leading people and change;

Experience

  • Nestlé Health Science (7 yrs 4 mos)
    • Head of HR NHSc International & Global Strategy and Marketing
      Sep 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Heading HR for NHSc International markets globally (9 Multi-market clusters and 6 single large market entities, >2 CHFbn NNS, about 4000+ employees, covering 100+ countries) - & (2023-2024) Global Strategy & Marketing (Marketing, R&D & Digital teams located across Switzerland, USA, UK & Western Europe). Product categories: medical nutrition & consumer care/VMHS. • Reinforced functional leadership, (goal) alignment and winning as one mindset & way of working across NHSc International Organization • Strengthening of commercial leadership talent & succession pool - incl. diversity and emerging talents - in collaboration with Global, Cluster and Market Executive Business & HR Leaders • Leading major business transformation initiatives (strategic review, organization reviews, integrations) • Developing and driving execution of capabilities development strategies (Leadership, Digital/AI, Commercial) • Led organization design project & implementation of NHSc new Strategic Growth Organization – key drivers for change: prioritization & making choices in line with GBS, reduce complexity and improve efficient & timely decision making, increase efficiencies & synergies to invest in sustainable growth (Virtuous Circle) • Acting as Mentor for Zone EUR HR

    • Senior HR Business Partner-Global Strategic Marketing & Innovation and Scientific & Medical Org
      Apr 2019 - Aug 2023 · 4 yrs 5 mos

      Headed HR for NHSc Global Scientific & Medical Organization/R&D (Teams located across Switzerland, USA, UK & Western Europe) & Global Strategy, Marketing & Innovation (SBU). Product categories: medical nutrition & consumer care/VMHS, pharmaceuticals • Lead global restructuring of NHSc Global Strategy, Marketing & Innovation organization with the aim to generate efficiencies & synergies, while building and developing the required capabilities across the entire product portfolio. • Lead several global integration & organization change initiatives in Global Scientific & Medical Organization ensuring targets delivery, capabilities building & retention of key talents, and effective change management – Key drivers: build one Global R&D organization to cover for nutrition & pharmaceutical products following acquisition of Aimmune Therapeutics Inc. (new business operating model, compliance with pharma GDP, and with tax & legal standards & requirement - implementation of NHSc Pharma Principal Organization) • Lead various Leadership development Initiatives across LTs with the objective to enable effective and fit for purpose leadership. • Partnered with leaders & markets to reinforce visibility on commercial talents & succession pool, and strengthened the required flow of talents between NHSc Global SMI and the markets. Enabled the creation of youth employment opportunities across marketing, digital & R&D.

  • Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé & General Mills) (3 yrs 3 mos)
    • HR Head CPW Global Operations & R&D (CPW - Nestlé & General Mills)
      Jan 2016 - Mar 2019 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Provide strategic HR direction for CPW Global Operations and R&D Organizations, translating Operations and R&D strategies into HR strategies and initiatives to drive performance. Review the organization’s structure in line with business context and strategies with a constant view on driving efficiencies and effectiveness and deliver business growth and profitability, and enabling employee engagement. Contribute to developing the company culture and leadership and to growing individuals and teams. Take accountability for the performance and development of the HR function across Global Operations (17 factories globally, supply chain, procurement) and R&D (1 R&D Centre, several R&D teams spread globally). Provide strategic counsel and coaching to the VP Operations, VP R&D and the Leadership teams to manage the required changes in the organization. Contribute to long-term goals around business, people development and succession planning. Ensure employee surveys results are used to drive projects oriented to create a work environment where people feel safe, engaged, empowered and recognized. CPW Global Operations covers Technical & Production - incl. 17 factories worldwide-, Supply Chain & Procurement. CPW Global R&D consists of several R&D locations & teams globally - main R&D centre is located in Switzerland.

    • HR Head CPW Global Operations & C&B Manager (CPW - Nestlé & General Mills)
      Jan 2016 - May 2018 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Provide strategic HR direction for CPW Global Operations Organization, translating Operations strategies into HR strategies and initiatives to drive performance. Review the organization’s structure in line with business context and strategies with a constant view on driving efficiencies and effectiveness and deliver business growth and profitability, and enabling employee engagement. Contribute to developing the company culture and leadership and to growing individuals and teams. Take accountability for the performance and development of the HR function across Global Operations (17 factories globally, supply chain, procurement). Provide strategic counsel and coaching to the VP Operations and the Leadership team to manage the required changes in the organization. Contribute to long-term goals around business, people development and succession planning. Ensure employee surveys results are used to drive projects oriented to create a work environment where people feel safe, engaged, empowered and recognized. As Joint-Venture C&B Manager, provide leadership and strategic direction in the area of compensation & benefits in connection with shareholder companies’ policies and standards. Lead the design and improvement of the joint venture global compensation & benefit programs in connection with the Senior Leadership Team and shareholder companies, ensuring these programs support the Company performance, priorities and values, and connect with changing business needs. Manage/oversee the annual international compensation cycle – incl. short- and long-term incentive plan. Ensure coherence in the job evaluation of CPW global key positions across functions. Take accountability for the area of international mobility / expatriates management.

  • Nestlé (10 yrs 8 mos)
    • Factory HR Manager (Broc Factory - Nestlé Suisse S.A.)
      Aug 2013 - Jan 2016 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      Head of HR for the factory, member of the Factory Leadership. Accountability for the HR agenda of the factory and for driving the creation and implementation of the people plan / HR strategies aligned with the factory & business agenda. Lead Leadership Development and Education & Training within the Factory. Pro-actively challenge the established organizational structure to drive performance and manage smooth organizational transitions. Support and coach Line managers in their implementation of core people processes. Ensure effective management of the implications of change for employees. Work with leaders to enhance current and future functional and leadership capability needs. Ensure Performance and Talent Management drive the achievement of objectives, coaching people managers in driving individual and team performance. Manage compensation & benefits for the factory, incl. wage negotiation with unions. Ensure drive on Case Management and Health Management initiatives based on risk analysis.

    • HR Business Partner (Global Business Solutions SC, T&P, R&D and Digital & Technology)
      Apr 2012 - Jul 2013 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Responsible for the HR agenda for the assigned units and for driving the creation and implementation of people plan / HR strategies aligned with the business agenda. Ensure alignment with HR teams in the Zone/Regional offices on key HR initiatives. Lead Leadership Development. Pro-actively challenge the established organizational structure to drive performance and manage smooth organizational transitions. Support and coach Line managers in their implementation of core people processes. Ensure effective management of the implications of change for employees. Work with leaders to enhance current and future functional and leadership capability needs. Ensure Performance and Talent Management drive the achievement of objectives, coaching people managers in driving individual and team performance. Manage compensation & benefits cycles in connection with the Centre of Expertise.

    • HR Business Partner (Business Technology Center IS-IT & Web Services Unit)
      Feb 2011 - Mar 2012 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Responsible for the HR agenda for the assigned units and for driving the creation and implementation of people plan / HR strategies aligned with the business agenda. Ensure alignment with HR teams in the Zone/Regional offices on key HR initiatives. Lead Leadership Development. Pro-actively challenge the established organizational structure to drive performance and manage smooth organizational transitions. Support and coach Line managers in their implementation of core people processes. Ensure effective management of the implications of change for employees. Work with leaders to enhance current and future functional and leadership capability needs. Ensure Performance and Talent Management drive the achievement of objectives, coaching people managers in driving individual and team performance. Manage compensation & benefits cycles in connection with the Centre of Expertise.

  • Recruitment Coordinator at Finders S.A., HR Management & Recruitment Consultancy
    Feb 2002 - Apr 2005 · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Coordinate the whole recruitment process in providing support and back up to the business team (Marketing/Sales, HR, Finance, Banking, and Purchasing) thereby assisting the recruitment consultants to achieve their objectives and contributing to the smooth running of the operations. Liaise with HR departments, line managers and candidates (i.e. handling of incoming positions, contact and follow-up with all parties involved in the recruitment process, handling of feedbacks, interviews scheduling, screening of CVs, statistics). Prepare and organize publication of adverts. Organize company’s presence at universities’ career forums (advertising and logistics) and take part in the fairs to represent the company and source potential candidates. Super-User for company’s recruitment system.