Roma Foods Products CEO Sam Schachna will depart the company after more than six years in his role.
Max Buontempo will continue to lead operations as MD, alongside the existing leadership team, while the board reviews the long-term corporate structure.
“Looking ahead, we remain very optimistic about the future growth of Roma Foods, particularly through continued innovation, expanding market opportunities and the strength of our long-standing team and relationships,” said Buomtempo.
The company is exploring future leadership opportunities both internally and externally, which may include appointments for a new CEO, GM, or other senior executive positions.
Schachna took on the role of chief executive in January 2020, with the initial focus on maintaining local supply chain continuity and stabilising factory output during disruptions in global logistics networks.
During his tenure, the company made use of government incentives, such as the Federal Advanced Manufacturing Initiative, to upgrade its 15,000-sqm production facility in Carrum Downs and expand operations from a single-shift model.
Under Schachna’s leadership, the Roma Foods team expanded its research and development capabilities, launching over 40 new products and transitioning the brand from niche health food aisles to mainstream supermarket categories.
Significant innovations included the introduction of the plant-based Spliits crispbread line and the Pasta Roma! brand, along with private-label development for major Australian retailers such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi.
The company will continue to focus on its product pipeline, which recently produced the Orgran Protein Crispbread through its internal development teams.
Schachna will remain with the organisation for an unspecified transition period to ensure a smooth operational handover before moving on to his next venture.
