PROMINENT agribusiness executive Anna Speer is to depart her role as head of Woolworths’ Greenstock red meat supply chain division, as part of a broader company restructure.

Beef Central has confirmed Ms Speer’s departure, and has asked Woolworths for comment (albeit it on short notice). Nothing arrived by the time this item was posted, but any response to a series of questions will be added here when it does. It’s understood a broader company restructure advice was being prepared for release to media and investors this afternoon.

Anna Speer, CEO Greenstock

Director of the company’s Metro (small-scale convenience supermarkets) division, Justin Nolan, is understood to be taking over the Greenstock head role (or equivalent) under the new structure. He is a 20-year veteran of the Woolworths business, with some previous exposure to the red meat segment.

The independent Greenstock division was launched by Woolworths in February 2021. The move at the time was described as being designed to better organise the company’s end-to-end meat supply chain, bringing together teams involved in Woolworths’ end-to-end red meat supply chain, including the livestock, processing and operations teams.

Two months later (April 2021) the company appointed Anna Speer to the newly-created role as Greeenstock managing director. She joined Woolworths from the world’s largest cattle and beef company, the Australian Agricultural Co, where she performed with distinction as chief operating officer under CEO Hugh Killen.

Over the past four years Ms Speer has guided Woolworths’ Greenstock end-to-end red meat supply chain through challenging times, in the post COVID era. Domestic red meat consumption has remained remarkably resilient, despite challenging cost-of-living and broader economic circumstances.

As Ms Speer has in the past, said part of that is explained by the consumer’s perception of beef as ‘clean, green protein’, and the huge push happening around health and the benefits of protein – especially for specific segments such as older women.

Woolworths red meat offer has continued to expand and broaden under Ms Speer’s guidance over the past four years,  including convenience-oriented innovations like the gourmet burger range (covered in this earlier item), and value-added product range.

Greenstock also drives an export red meat business responsible for turnover of around $250 million a year – including beef and offal items that are less popular in the domestic supermarket environment. GreenStock was given a mandate to “partner more widely across the Woolworths group to support sales growth in the international and wholesale meat markets,” Woolworths said back in 2021.

In June last year Woolworths added to its momentum in the value-added slow-cooked proteins category, launching its new COOK range, covering heat-and-serve items including Beef Casserole with Vegetables, Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce, Traditional Roast Beef with Garlic & Herb, Beef Cheeks in Red Wine Sauce and Pork Rib Rack with Sweet and Smoky BBQ Glaze.

February half-year result flags changes

During its half-year results announcement in February, Woolworths Group announced a broad restructure of its food leadership team and organisational structure that partly explains Ms Speer’s departure.

The move was designed to enhance the focus on key areas impacting customers, while streamlining and simplifying operations,  the company said.

As part of those moves Annette Karantoni was appointed as managing director of Woolworths Retail, reporting to Woolworths Group CEO and managing director of Australian Food Amanda Bardwell.

The Woolworths Retail division now encompasses Woolworths Supermarkets, Greenstock (the company’s previously independent red meat supply chain business), Metro convenience stores and Woolworths Food Co Retail (Own Brand products).

“Our Woolworths Retail business is the cornerstone of our group and critical to our success,” group CEO Amanda Bardwell said at the time.

“Getting it right for our customers starts with our team, and we are taking the opportunity to simplify the way we work to create the biggest impact for our customers.”

“With Metro, Greenstock and Woolworths Food Co Retail moving into Woolworths Retail under Annette Karantoni’s leadership, we will be able to enhance the role our retail food stores and own brand play in meeting the needs of our customers,” Ms Bardwell said.