From superyachts in the Mediterranean to supermarket aisles back home, Janine Baldwin has charted a career that’s anything but ordinary.
Now stepping into her new role as General Manager for Reckitt New Zealand, she brings energy, empathy, and a lifelong passion for FMCG.
We caught up with Janine to chat about her journey, what drew her to Reckitt, and what excites her most about returning to the world of home and personal care.
You’ve had an impressive FMCG career, but what’s the story beyond your LinkedIn profile?
Well, what you won’t see on LinkedIn is that I once took a career break and went to work on superyachts in the Med, very Below Deck! When I found myself talking about SKUs, shelf relays, and promotional plans with my crewmates, I realised just how much I loved FMCG. That’s when I knew it was time to come home and continue my career.
Every role since has been part of my learning journey. Some have sharpened my commercial thinking; others have challenged how I lead and collaborate. I’m very people-focused – nothing gives me more joy than seeing someone on my team grow, stretch and achieve something they didn’t think they could.
You’ve also been a big advocate for diversity and inclusion. Tell us about that.
Yes, this is an area I am genuinely passionate about. In my previous role at Kellanova, I sponsored our ANZ Kommunity employee resource group which celebrates diversity beyond gender. We brought Lunar New Year and Diwali celebrations into the workplace, expanded Pride initiatives across the Tasman, and this year focused on increasing awareness of hidden disabilities.
When people feel they can bring their whole selves to work, magic happens. That sense of belonging drives creativity, confidence and connection, and that’s something I will continue to champion in my role at Reckitt.
Read the full story in the latest issue here
