Hardik Jhaveri Returns to Colgate: A Power Move for South ASEAN

Introduction

When a senior marketer with 13 years inside a company leaves, builds a broader skillset elsewhere, and then returns at a higher level — that's not a coincidence. That's a deliberate talent strategy. Colgate-Palmolive's appointment of Hardik Jhaveri as Senior Director – Marketing for its South ASEAN Hub signals something bigger than a routine hire. It reflects how global FMCG giants are doubling down on regional marketing leadership in high-growth Asian markets. For Indian marketing professionals watching career trajectories and brand strategy moves, this one deserves a close read.

The Big Announcement

Colgate-Palmolive has appointed Hardik Jhaveri as Senior Director – Marketing for its South ASEAN Hub, covering Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. He will be based in Kuala Lumpur.

Jhaveri himself shared the news, noting his excitement about returning to a company where he spent over a decade building his marketing career. He specifically acknowledged Parul Patel Desai, Samir Singh, and Aditya Singh for extending the opportunity — a rare public acknowledgement that speaks to how relationship-driven leadership hiring at this level truly is.

Before this appointment, Jhaveri served as General Manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition, where he held full P&L responsibility for the Taiwan market and led a cross-functional team — a significant operational leap beyond traditional marketing roles.

His earlier career spans stints at Unilever and Bates David Enterprise, before a 13-year run at Colgate-Palmolive in roles including Associate Director – Innovation for APAC (ex-China), where he drove new product development and regional launch initiatives.

What This Means for Your Brand

This appointment is a textbook case of what talent-forward FMCG companies are doing differently — and what Indian brands, both large and emerging, should notice.

1. The "boomerang hire" is back in fashion. Jhaveri's return to Colgate after years at Hill's Pet Nutrition isn't unusual at the senior level — it's increasingly strategic. Companies are rehiring former leaders because they bring both institutional knowledge and fresh external perspective. Indian conglomerates like Tata Consumer, Marico, and Dabur could take notes: your best alumni may be your best future hires.

2. P&L experience is now a marketing prerequisite. Jhaveri's time as a General Manager — owning full business outcomes, not just brand metrics — reflects a growing trend. The CMO of tomorrow isn't just a storyteller; they're a business operator. Brands that develop marketers with cross-functional and financial accountability will build stronger leadership pipelines.

3. Regional hub structures are reshaping how APAC brands are built. Colgate's South ASEAN Hub model — one marketing leader overseeing multiple markets — is increasingly common among global FMCG players. For Indian brands expanding into Southeast Asia, this is a structural cue worth studying.

The contrarian view? Centralised hub marketing can sometimes dilute local market nuance. Indonesia and Singapore, for instance, are vastly different consumer landscapes. The real test for Jhaveri will be balancing regional brand consistency with local cultural relevance.

Expert Take

Senior marketing appointments at global FMCG firms rarely happen in isolation — they signal strategic intent.

Colgate-Palmolive's South ASEAN cluster represents some of the most competitive oral care and personal hygiene markets in Asia. Indonesia alone is a billion-dollar opportunity, with a young, digitally native population and rising middle-class spending on branded personal care.

Jhaveri's background in innovation leadership for APAC, combined with his GM-level P&L experience, positions him well to drive both brand growth and new product pipeline activity in the region.

His acknowledgement of mentor Martin Schellert from Hill's Pet Nutrition also underscores something Indian marketing culture often undervalues — the compounding career value of great mentorship. Senior marketers who invest in their teams build the next generation of leadership, and that legacy travels.

The brands.in Perspective

What stands out here isn't just the appointment — it's the career architecture. Jhaveri went from FMCG marketer to regional innovator to P&L-owning General Manager and back to strategic marketing leadership at a higher level. That's not a straight line; it's a deliberate climb.

Indian marketing professionals often underestimate the value of stepping outside pure marketing roles. Jhaveri's Hill's chapter likely made him a far sharper marketer. More brands — and more ambitious marketers — should think this way.

Key Takeaways for Marketers

• Boomerang hires signal trust — companies rehire proven talent at higher levels
• P&L ownership now separates good marketers from great ones
• Regional hub roles are growing — one leader, multiple ASEAN markets
• Mentorship travels with you — invest in relationships, not just roles
• Cross-industry stints build sharper brand strategists

FAQ

Q: Who is Hardik Jhaveri and what is his new role at Colgate-Palmolive? Hardik Jhaveri is a senior FMCG marketing leader who has joined Colgate-Palmolive as Senior Director – Marketing for its South ASEAN Hub, covering Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei, based out of Kuala Lumpur.

Q: What did Hardik Jhaveri do before rejoining Colgate-Palmolive? He served as General Manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition in Taiwan for three years, managing full P&L responsibility. Prior to that, he spent 13 years at Colgate-Palmolive and also worked with Unilever and Bates David Enterprise.

Q: What does the South ASEAN Hub marketing role involve? The role oversees marketing strategy across multiple Southeast Asian markets including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei — balancing regional brand consistency with local market growth initiatives for Colgate-Palmolive's portfolio.

Let's Talk

Does your brand have a clear path for developing marketers into business leaders — or are you still treating marketing as a silo? Hardik Jhaveri's career is a reminder that the best brand builders think beyond the brand.

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