Leadership changes at Roma Foods, CEO to step down

Roma Foods has confirmed that CEO Sam Schachna will be stepping down from the business following more than six years in the role, with the company continuing under the guidance of Managing Director Max Buontempo and the existing leadership team.

Buontempo thanked Schachna for his contribution to the business during a significant period of growth and development for the company.

“Sam has made a valuable contribution to Roma Foods during his time with the company and we thank him for his efforts, commitment and leadership over the past six years,” Buontempo said.

Founded in 1953 and family-owned since 1984, Roma Foods celebrated 70 years of Australian manufacturing last year. It now supplies more than 40 export markets worldwide across retail, foodservice and industrial channels.

Buontempo, who has been involved in the business for the past 42 years, said Roma Foods remains in a strong position operationally, strategically and culturally, with continuity across all areas of the organisation.

“Roma Foods has been built on strong foundations over its 73-year history, with a culture of consistency, respect, innovation and long-term relationships that has served the company extremely well over many decades,” he said.

“Having personally been involved in the business for the past 42 years, I remain closely engaged across all areas of Roma Foods, including product development, innovation, sales, export markets, customer relationships and the overall direction of the company.

“Together with our experienced management group and longstanding team members, this provides strong continuity and stability moving forward.”

Roma Foods operates from its manufacturing facility in Carrum Downs, Victoria, producing a broad portfolio of gluten-free and allergen-friendly products including brands such as Orgran, Pasta Roma, Spliits and BuonTempo.

The company continues to invest heavily in innovation and new product development, recently launching its Orgran Protein Crispbread, developed by the company’s internal innovation and NPD teams as part of Roma Foods’ ongoing focus on health and wellness categories.

As part of the company’s ongoing evolution and growth strategy, Roma Foods confirmed it will continue to review the structure of the organisation and explore future leadership opportunities internally and externally, including potential CEO, General Manager or other senior executive roles. No decisions have been made regarding those positions at this stage.

“In the meantime, the business will continue under my guidance, supported by a strong and experienced team, and we remain very confident about the future of Roma Foods and the opportunities ahead,” Buontempo said.

Image: Supplied