Farmlands Co-operative Appoints Rachel Aldikacti as Chief Sales Officer

Aldikacti joins the rural retailer following her time as managing director ANZ for Golden State Foods.

With over 25 years of experience in high-level commercial leadership, including nearly a decade at Bidfood Limited alongside 6 years at Fonterra, she brings a proven track record of driving revenue growth and leading large-scale, high-performing sales teams.

Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton says Aldikacti is a seasoned leader who knows that a great sales team is only as good as the service and expertise they offer customers.

"Off the back of reporting a strong H1 start, including a 10% increase in revenue, I am confident Rachel is the right person to keep that momentum going," Houghton says. "She knows how to take strategy and turn it into real, practical results that benefit our co-op and customers alike."

"Rachel brings a wealth of experience from the agri-food sector, where she’s managed the same seasonal swings, our farmers face every year," she adds.

"The bonus is she also understands the 'lifestyle' behind the business, living on her own small beef growing operation in Pukekohe.

"Having Rachel join our team of highly experienced on-farm and retail sales teams we know we can get the right outcomes for our customers. Rachel’s leadership will perfectly complement the deep rural expertise already embedded across our regional sales teams."

Aldikacti says she is excited to join Farmlands.

"My focus will be on ensuring our sales culture is as innovative and resilient as the customers we serve."

Aldikacti will officially commence her role in mid-May and will be based in Christchurch.