Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia, March 2025 – Melani Katakajali has been appointed as Country Head – Human Resource Manager at Wilmar International, a leading global agribusiness group. In her new role, Melani will be spearheading HR operations across Zambia, aligning HR strategy with Wilmar’s business objectives while fostering a strong organizational culture and enhancing workforce development.
Melani has quickly risen within Wilmar International, having served as Senior Human Resources Officer for nearly eight months before her elevation to Country Head. During this period, she contributed to key people initiatives, policy implementation, and organizational support.
Prior to Wilmar, she worked at Varun Beverages Ltd (PepsiCo) as a Senior Human Resource Coordinator, where she led HR coordination efforts across operational functions for over a year. Her tenure included strong emphasis on communication, internal controls, and team support.
Before that, Melani was Human Resources Manager at Emperor Palace Entertainment Limited, following an earlier stint as HR Assistant. She was responsible for recruitment, employee relations, and policy compliance. She also held dual roles during this time as Bank Reconciliation Officer, gaining cross-functional experience in finance and controls.
Earlier in her career, Melani held diverse roles, including Digital Marketing Officer at a Zambian firm, Office Manager at John Kaite Legal Practitioners and Gilmas Investments, and Sales Consultant roles with Prudential Life Assurance and Ecobank. Her early experience with Airtel Zambia as a Direct Sales Representative gave her a strong foundation in customer engagement and communication.
About Wilmar International
Wilmar International Limited, headquartered in Singapore, is Asia’s leading agribusiness group and one of the world’s largest by market capitalization on the Singapore Exchange. Its integrated business model spans oil palm cultivation, edible oils refining, rice and flour milling, sugar refining, and the manufacturing of food products, oleochemicals, biodiesel, and fertilizers. With over 1,000 manufacturing plants and operations in more than 50 countries, Wilmar employs around 100,000 people and is committed to sustainability and operational excellence across its global supply chain.
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