Raphaël Kunde, CEO of Nutrition Santé, unpacks the paradoxes of a fast-changing industry

 In March, students on the Reims campus had the opportunity to meet and talk with Raphaël Kunde, CEO of Nutrition Santé and a NEOMA alumnus. This inspiring conference sat at the crossroads of management, the agri‑food sector and social commitment.

A professional journey through the sector’s major players

A NEOMA graduate, Raphaël Kunde knows the agri‑food sector from the inside out, in all its diversity. After cutting his teeth in mass retail at Carrefour, Raphaël moved into the fiercely competitive coffee sector at the Sara Lee Group (which later became JDE), working with the brands L’Or and Jacques Vabre. He subsequently went on to lead the Carambar & Co. Group. All these experiences unfolded in demanding, high‑pressure environments, where decisions are made quickly and markets are constantly in flux.

Now based in Revel, near Toulouse, Raphaël steers the development of Nutrition Santé, the company behind well‑known brands such as Gerblé, Gerlinéa, Isostar and Céréal Bio. His driving purpose? To promote a more balanced diet — which is precisely why Nutrition Santé opted for the status of a mission‑driven company.

Practical insights grounded in real-world experience

Raphaël shared with the students a set of core values shaped by years of experience: the importance of strategic alignment, choosing the right performance indicators, the central role of human leadership during organisational change, and the need to continually adjust one’s approach in a world that never stops shifting. And what is Raphaël’s philosophy? To be an accessible, clear‑eyed leader who speaks candidly about his decisions, doubts and commitments. “It was a real pleasure to spend time with the NEOMA students. It was enjoyable and genuinely rewarding for me as well,” he said after the session.

An alumnus returning to pass on his expertise

Raphaël’s visit was part of the “Inspirational” series of conferences that NEOMA regularly organises to connect two generations of managers who have come through the School. Present at the conference alongside NEOMA Dean Delphine Manceau, Michel‑Édouard Leclerc, chair of the School’s board, put it succinctly: “We’re very happy to be able to confirm, in tangible ways, that traditional food models, even at industrial and mass-market level, are far from an empty ambition.”

On his return to campus, Raphaël Kunde underscored the key role alumni can play in sharing knowledge and inspiring the talent of tomorrow.