Mr Serra will assume the position in August, replacing Rob Gordon, who announced his retirement in December.
“Mr Serra will join SunRice in early July to allow for an orderly leadership transition before commencing his role,” the company said in a statement.
He will join SunRice from Olam Food Ingredients, and has held senior executive roles at Campbell Soup Company, and was previously in
operational roles at Arnott’s Biscuits.
“Mr Serra has demonstrable experience in delivering financial outcomes in the agribusiness, food ingredients and fast-moving consumer goods sectors and brings to the role of chief executive of SunRice an in-depth experience in supply chain, people leadership, business transformations, health and safety and operations,” the company said.
SunRice chairman Laurie Arthur said Mr Serra was an “accomplished executive”.
“His leadership skills and global experience in the growth and transformation of complex and diverse organisations will provide the right mix to continue to build on the SunRice Group’s growth strategy,” he said.
Mr Serra said it was a “great honour” to be appointed.
He said it was a “leading global food group and one of Australia’s leading branded food exporters”.
“I look forward to continuing to build on the underlying strength of the SunRice business and delivering a strategy to create long-term value for the group, in partnership with the SunRice’s growers, shareholders, customers, communities and its people,” Mr Serra said.
