Coca Cola has new Franchise Director CE, Franchise Country Manager

Coca-Cola Romania announces changes at local operations management level. Nicoleta Eftimiu was appointed to lead the operations of Coca-Cola Company in Central Europe. The activity of Coca-Cola Romania will be coordinated by Paris Nikolopoulos, the new Franchise Country Manager, beginning with this fall.

As Franchise Director of Central Europe, Nicoleta Eftimiu will coordinate, starting this autumn, the company’s activities in the 6 countries of the region: Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, continuing to support the company’s development strategy. The promotion of Nicoleta Eftimiu comes as a result of the exceptional results obtained after only two years and nine months spent at the management of local operations, being the first woman to hold the position of Country Manager Coca-Cola Romania.

„When you’re an explorer at heart, you’re always in search of a new adventure. The one I’m beginning implies lots of changes, but also a certainty: I will always remain connected to the Romanian team, to the passionate and tenacious people with whom I have overcome all obstacles and have enjoyed every success. I am proud to take on a regional position within the Coca-Cola group, coming from a country recognized for outstanding performances. I have a lot of plans, a lot of energy and I open this new chapter in my career with a desire to experiment as much as possible and to put courage at the base of as plenty initiatives.” – Nicoleta Eftimiu, new Franchise Director CE.

The mandate in Romania will be taken over by Paris Nikolopoulos, who previously held the position of Franchise Country Manager, Coca-Cola Switzerland. Paris Nikolopoulos brings a vast experience within the Coca-Cola System and will continue to support the company’s global visions A total beverage company and World Without Waste, identifying new opportunities to expand the product portfolio, focusing also on the sustainability initiatives of the company, as well as the local team’s professional development.

”Romania is one of the most important markets for the Coca-Cola System, with a rapid development and many innovative, successful ideas supporting both the portfolio development and the marketing strategies. It is an honor for me to take over the management of Coca-Cola Romania and to work with a team as talented and enthusiastic as the one here. For me, this new position is a great opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with a market as interesting and vast as the Romanian one. We will continue our strategy to innovate at a portfolio level and we will remain strongly involved in the community, following our company’s philosophy to have a positive impact in each country where we do business”, Paris Nikolopoulos, new Franchise Country Manager, Coca-Cola Romania.

Nicoleta Eftimiu joined the Coca-Cola System 16 years ago, initially in the Coca-Cola HBC Romania team, where she held the position of Category Manager Stills and New Business. She then made the switch to Coca-Cola Romania, occupying, during her 15 years with the team, both local and regional positions – from Brand Manager to Marketing Director.

At the beginning of 2017, Nicoleta Eftimiu was appointed to lead the local operations of Coca-Cola Company, becoming the first woman to hold the highest position in the organizational structure of the company in Romania.

Paris Nikolopoulos has got a strong background in the Coca-Cola System, having held several local and regional positions for the last 15 years. Between 2004 and 2013 he was part of Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland’s team, his last position being Chief Financial Officer and in 2013 he joined The Coca-Cola Company, Central Europe division, as Commercial Finance Director. In March 2016 he expanded his responsibilities, as he was promoted to Franchise Country Manager Switzerland.

Paris Nikolopoulos studied economics at The University of Piraeus and holds a Master of Science degree from Lancaster University. Over time, he attended leadership and management programs at London Business School and Harvard Business School.