The Estée Lauder Companies has announced that Gregory F. Polcer, executive vice president, global supply chain, will retire effective July 1, 2021. He will be succeeded by Roberto Canevari, who will assume the role effective May 1, 2021.
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Canevari will report directly to Fabrizio Freda, president and chief executive officer. Polcer will work closely with Roberto over the next several months to support a smooth and successful transition.
Polcer has been with Estée Lauder for 13 years, according to the company. He has been influential in strategizing and implementing ELC’s approach to responsible sourcing principles for sensitive supply chain and human rights issues. He also led the development of new manufacturing and distribution centers in several key regions, focused on global supply sufficiency.
Polcer was a "key architect" of the company’s Global Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability (GCCS) function, and, through his work with the Global Environmental Affairs and Safety (EAS) team, led many of the initiatives that set the foundation for the company’s GCCS goals, particularly in the area of environmental operations.
Canevari most recently served as Unilever PLC’s executive vice president of supply chain, Europe, where he oversaw end-to-end supply chain operations for the company’s European business, and was responsible for a team of more than 10,000 employees and 44 factories with production across the food, home and personal care categories.
Prior to that, Canevari was chief supply chain officer at Burberry Group PLC for nearly seven years.
“I am deeply proud of all that my team and I have accomplished,” Polcer said. “ELC’s supply chain has consistently advanced ahead of the curve, successfully collaborating and innovating to sustainably, responsibly and ethically deliver the most sought-after beauty products in the world. While the decision to retire is of course bittersweet, I know that the incredible supply chain team—with Roberto’s deep expertise and natural leadership abilities at the helm – is positioned well for its next chapter of growth.”
Canevari said, “I am thrilled to be joining The Estée Lauder Companies. Greg has done a truly incredible job developing and leading a uniquely talented and dynamic global Supply Chain organization. It is an honor to step into this role, and I am eager to continue to build on the success of this critical function. I look forward to partnering with Fabrizio and the entire Executive Leadership Team to contribute to the overall success and continued growth of ELC.”
Freda said, “Greg has led ELC’s global supply chain with a great blend of strategic insight and innovative thinking. He has evolved our supply chain organization into a truly integrated, state-of-the-art global network that touches all aspects of our business and drives tremendous value. He has also been instrumental in elevating and operationalizing our core principles of safety and sustainability, and has been an enthusiastic and vocal champion of inclusion & diversity within his team and across the enterprise. Greg’s genuinely positive energy, enthusiastic leadership style and unique interdisciplinary expertise will be truly missed.”
He continued, “I am thrilled to welcome Roberto to The Estée Lauder Companies. He is a highly respected and talented supply chain expert and global leader who has successfully helmed and transformed the end-to-end supply chain organizations of several global, luxury, and brand-led companies. Throughout his career, he has consistently driven exceptional product quality and customer experience, as well as forward-looking sustainability strategies and practices. Roberto brings a unique combination of operational expertise and creative passion to ELC. I look forward to partnering closely with him to continue to innovate and improve our world-class supply chain organization.”
