UNIBIC Foods has appointed Ajay Bathija as Chief Executive Officer, tasking him with steering the company’s next phase of growth in India’s competitive packaged foods sector.
Bathija, who takes charge with immediate effect, brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the fast-moving consumer goods and beverages industry. He spent over 18 years with The Coca-Cola Company, where he held senior roles across India and South West Asia, including serving as Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh. His portfolio has spanned brand strategy, marketing operations and sustainable business growth across markets such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives.
Announcing the appointment, Sandeep Reddy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, UNIBIC Foods, said the company was entering a critical growth phase. “We are delighted to welcome Ajay to UNIBIC at a pivotal time in the company’s story. His extensive experience in brand building, consumer marketing and franchise leadership will be invaluable as UNIBIC continues to strengthen its footprint in the packaged foods category,” Reddy said. He added that Bathija’s leadership would drive “exceptional metrics and innovation” while expanding the brand’s reach in India and global markets.
In his first remarks as CEO, Bathija said he saw the appointment as an opportunity to accelerate UNIBIC’s ambitions. “The brand has established a distinct identity built on innovation, quality and indulgence—values that deeply resonate with me,” he said. He highlighted favourable regulatory shifts, such as the rationalisation of goods and services tax, as tailwinds for the sector. “My focus will be on strengthening our product portfolio, deepening consumer engagement and expanding our market presence,” he added.
Founded in Bangalore, UNIBIC Foods is best known for introducing wire-cut cookies to the Indian market and has since built a portfolio of more than 40 variants. The company’s state-of-the-art Hyderabad facility, which it describes as the largest wire-cut cookie plant in India, has certifications from the British Retail Consortium, Halal, Kosher and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Beyond its core cookies range, UNIBIC has diversified into wafers, snack bars, crackers, cakes, chocolates and traditional Indian sweets and savoury snacks under the brand Swaadesi. The company exports to over 25 countries and continues to scale its production footprint to meet growing demand.
Reddy said the leadership transition underlined UNIBIC’s intent to position itself more aggressively in both domestic and overseas markets. Bathija, meanwhile, stressed the importance of aligning UNIBIC’s innovation and consumer-driven strategy with emerging trends in the FMCG sector.
As consumer preferences shift towards differentiated products and premium experiences, UNIBIC is betting on a mix of innovation, brand visibility and global expansion to cement its place in the packaged foods market.