The management change comes as Australian wine companies continue to battle against an oversupply of cheap wine in the key United States market, which has crimped profits. Current Trade Asia-Pacific managing director Jamie Odell has been appointed to the newly created role of Global Trade chief operating officer. In the North American wine trade business, Dan Leese has been appointed to the newly created role of Trade Americas managing director. As a result of this change, former Americas president Jim Watkins will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities, Foster's said. John Philips will continue in his role as Europe, Middle East and Africa managing director, while Randolph Bowen has been appointed to the newly created role of Global Supply Chain vice-president. "The new wine trade leadership team builds on BBWE's strategy to establish strong geographic bases from which to drive the wine trade business throughout the world," Foster's said. The new leadership would focus on global brand building and delivering more supply chain efficiencies and better returns on capital employed. Odell will be responsible for Beringer's global wine trade operations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, with three regional trade leaders reporting to him. He will also be responsible for global supply chain management and continue to oversee management of Beringer's wine services division. Odell, who has more than 24 years' experience in the beverage sector in Australia, Asia and the United Kingdom, will report to Beringer managing director Walt Klenz. The management changes take effect immediately. Klenz said Odell's expertise in global brand building had delivered high-margin premium-wine market growth and significant improvements in capital employed in the Asia Pacific region, which prepared him well for his new position. "Going forward, key priorities for the North American management team are to maintain sales growth while focusing on extracting maximum value from the supply chain, production and operations," Klenz said. A spokeswoman for Foster's said the changes to management in North America represented a consolidation of leadership because there was a significant overlap between the roles of chief operating officer and president. Asked if Odell would be focusing on any particular geographic area, the spokeswoman said Odell's appointment was aimed at leveraging Beringer's global strength as much as possible. Foster's said a search had started for a new Asia-Pacific managing director.