After seven years leading NZ seafood company Sanford Limited, chief executive Volker Kuntzsch will be stepping down.

Sanford Chair Sir Rob McLeod announced the resignation of Sanford's CEO on September 10. Volkner's last day at Sanford will be September 18.

Sir Rob McLeod said Volker had made a transformational impact on Sanford.

'Volker has helped transform Sanford into a progressive, values-based company with an outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and to Sanford's people. On behalf of the Sanford team, we are grateful to Volker for his leadership and thank him for a seven year contribution as our chief executive.

'Over those last seven years we have made good progress on maximising the value of our fish products and diversifying our business, as well as turning our aquaculture business into a profitable and innovative unit,” says Sir Rob.

Volker was appointed into the CEO role at Sanford in 2014, bringing with him an international track record of more than 25 years in the industry and a global reputation. In November 2019, he won the 2019 Rabobank Leadership Award, which recognises outstanding senior leadership in the food and agribusiness industries across New Zealand and Australia.

With a shift towards a greater business focus on consumer-driven innovation and marketing, Volker and the Sanford Board agreed that now would be a sensible time for a new leader to drive the next phase of the strategy.

Volker says while it is sad to move on from a company of which he is very proud, the period of lockdown in New Zealand gave him an opportunity for reflection and decision making with his family around him.

'I'm incredibly proud of the transition we have made as a company from a commodity business to one that focuses on value and values,” says Volker. 'The team are truly outstanding and I will miss them but I am ready for and looking forward to the next chapter in my life which starts with stepping back and focusing on my lovely family.

'I have spent many years in leadership roles around the world. Sanford is one I will look back on with great satisfaction and with confidence that its people will continue on the path and strategy we have set and will achieve great things.”

Sir Rob particularly acknowledged Volker's role in building a strong Sanford culture, which the Board was committed to preserving.

On behalf of the Sanford Board and staff he wished Volker all the very best for the future.

The Sanford Board will shortly commence an international search for a replacement chief executive. In the interim, Sanford's Andre Gargiulo, will be the acting chief executive, and will 'provide a continued point of contact with Sanford's customers, markets and investors”, ensuring 'the safe ongoing operation of Sanford's business” following Volkner's departure.

The news of Volkner's resignation comes soon after Sanford reported their third quarter revenue was down 15 per cent on a year ago, with the company warning the fourth quarter was not looking any better.

In August the company announced it was planning to close its Tauranga fish processing plant, which would result in 65 job losses.

The decision for the closure was based on two key factors. Firstly the impact of COVID-19 has meant Sanford is processing less fish caught by other companies, which has seen processing volumes for its North Island sites drop significantly. Secondly, the buildings at the plant do not meet new seismic strength requirements.

At the time of the closure announcement Chief operating officer Clement Chia said even if processing volumes lifted, the costs associated with strengthening the building would not make the business worthwhile.

"We are very sorry to impact our staff and their families at such a difficult time, particularly when we have seen the re-emergence of community transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand with all the uncertainty this brings,” says Clement.

"This has been a very difficult decision for us to make, but one we feel is best to secure our future operations in the North Island."

Volker said last month that the intention is for some operations in Tauranga to continue.

'We would continue to unload seafood at the Tauranga site under the proposed arrangements and we plan to retain a number of staff in that area.

"We are entering a period of consultation with our team and we will not know the final configurations until that process is complete.

"Tauranga has been an important base of operations for Sanford and we have enjoyed being part of the community there. It is very unfortunate that circumstances have pushed us down this path.”