Posted on May 29, 2026
Inspiration
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, leadership is no longer just about driving profits. It is about purpose, people, and the ability to adapt to constant change.
Few leaders embody this philosophy as clearly as Mr.Victor Seah, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé Indochina. With oversight of operations across Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, his role spans cultures, markets, and millions of consumers.
But his journey to the top did not follow a single straight path. Instead, it was shaped by international experience, cross-functional learning, and a deep belief that companies can succeed while also doing good for society.
In this exclusive interview, he shares the lessons that shaped his career, the future of the FMCG industry, and what young professionals should know about building a meaningful career today.
Before leading one of the world’s largest food companies in Indochina, Mr.Victor Seah’s career took him across continents and industries.
Throughout his professional journey, he worked in multiple markets including Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Switzerland.
Equally important was the diversity of roles he experienced.
Rather than specializing in a single department early on, he built experience across functions including sales, marketing, business development, finance, and commercial leadership.
Working across different cultures and business environments fundamentally shaped his leadership philosophy.
“Working in many countries and functions helped shape who I am today.”
This broad exposure allowed him to understand how businesses operate from multiple perspectives from frontline consumer engagement to strategic decision-making at the highest levels.
After decades in a demanding industry, what keeps him motivated? For Victor, the answer lies in the balance between doing well and doing good. At the heart of Nestlé is its long-standing philosophy: “Good food, Good life.”
This purpose focuses on improving quality of life through nutrition and food innovation — something that impacts billions of people every day.
From beverages to household staples, the company’s products reach nearly every household in Thailand and billions of consumers globally.
But beyond products, Victor believes what truly differentiates the company is its commitment to “creating shared value”.
Unlike traditional corporate social responsibility programs, which often involve charitable donations, this philosophy focuses on building long-term ecosystems that benefit both business and communities.
One example is the company’s work with coffee and dairy farmers across the region. Instead of simply purchasing raw materials, the company invests in helping farmers improve yield, productivity, and sustainability ensuring they can build stable livelihoods for generations.
“Creating shared value is like teaching a man how to fish.”
For Victor, seeing farmers grow their businesses and employees develop into future leaders is one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.
Many young professionals today wonder whether traditional industries still offer exciting opportunities.
Victor believes the FMCG sector remains one of the most dynamic industries in the world.
Companies like Nestlé operate at the intersection of consumer behavior, technology, health trends, and data analytics. Consumer expectations are evolving faster than ever, requiring companies to constantly innovate.
At the same time, FMCG companies have the unique ability to influence public health.
He shares a simple example.
Over the years, food companies have gradually reformulated products to reduce sugar and improve nutritional value. While older generations may notice the change in taste, younger consumers often grow up preferring the healthier version. This ability to gradually improve nutrition at scale allows FMCG companies to make a meaningful impact on society.
Another major transformation shaping the industry today is artificial intelligence. Decisions across supply chains, marketing, and consumer insights are increasingly data-driven, making the industry even more fast-paced and intellectually stimulating.
“FMCG is exciting because it’s about consumers, constant change, and the ability to impact people’s lives.”
For those just starting their careers, Victor offers advice that may sound counterintuitive in today’s world.
“Choose learning over salary”
Early in a career, the most valuable opportunity is not compensation, but exposure.
Young professionals should prioritize roles where they can learn rapidly, gain responsibility, and develop skills that will shape their long-term trajectory. He also emphasizes the importance of finding a company whose culture resonates with personal values.
A strong alignment between personal beliefs and organizational culture can sustain motivation for years. Beyond that, he believes every professional should focus on three key capabilities:
1. Build Functional Expertise
Early in your career, become strong in a specific area — whether sales, finance, marketing, or operations.
2. Learn to Work with People
Leadership is not only about authority; it is about collaboration, influence, and teamwork.
3. Expand Your Network and Perspective
Engaging with people from different industries and backgrounds broadens thinking and creates new opportunities.
Victor himself joined Nestlé mid-career and prior to that, worked in the beer industry across the Asia-Pacific region. The role required extensive nighttime engagements with hospitality venues, as most customers operated late at night.
Despite career success, he realized the lifestyle no longer aligned with his personal values. That realization prompted a major career shift. His advice for professionals facing similar uncertainty is simple:
“Keep your options open.”
There is an important difference between looking for opportunities and leaving immediately. Exploring possibilities allows individuals to find organizations that better match their personal values and aspirations.
For Victor, joining Nestlé provided exactly that alignment.
“Nestlé never asked me to compromise my personal values.”
Like many global companies, Nestlé has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. But Victor emphasizes that long-term goals must be supported by measurable milestones. The company began its Net Zero journey in 2021 and established clear targets for 2025 across four key areas:
Sustainable sourcing
Packaging sustainability
Water stewardship
Carbon reduction
These pillars guide everyday decision-making across the organization.
However, achieving sustainability at scale requires collaboration beyond corporate boundaries. Governments, industry partners, and consumers must all participate. While awareness of sustainability in Thailand continues to grow, consumer willingness to pay a premium for sustainable products is still evolving.
Mr. Victor believes education and collaboration will play an important role in bridging that gap in the years ahead.
Artificial intelligence is already transforming industries worldwide, and FMCG is no exception.
Victor offers a perspective that reframes the common fear around automation.
“AI will not replace people fully, but people with AI will replace people without AI.”
In other words, the key is not resisting technology but learning how to use it effectively. AI can process data, identify trends, and support decision-making at unprecedented speed. But certain responsibilities will always require human judgment. Leadership decisions, team building, and strategic thinking remain deeply human capabilities.
Many people are surprised to learn the scale of Nestlé’s global presence.
The company operates more than 2,000 brands across nearly 200 countries. Among them are 31 “billionaire brands” products generating over one billion Swiss Francs in annual revenue.
Household brands such as Nescafé, Milo, and Maggi are part of everyday life for billions of consumers worldwide.
Behind these brands lies a culture built on one core principle: respect.
Respect for individuals.
Respect for diversity.
Respect for communities and the planet.
This philosophy guides how employees collaborate and innovate across the organization.
At the end of our conversation, Victor reflects on what leadership truly means. Many people hold leadership titles, but not all leaders inspire followers.
“To be a leader, you need followers.”
Good leaders can inspire people to follow them. Great leaders go a step further. They build the next generation of leaders.
For Victor, leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room. Instead, it is about creating an environment where teams collaborate effectively and achieve results together.
“Your job is not to be the smartest person in the room but your job is to build a team that succeeds together.”
“True leadership is measured not by authority or titles, but by the ability to inspire others, empower teams, and develop future leaders.”
One interesting trend he observes among younger professionals is the desire to become specialists rather than managers. Mr. Victor believes both paths are valid.
In large organizations like Nestlé, experts in fields such as production, supply chain, or research can build highly successful careers. However, leadership roles require a different skill set, particularly the ability to work with people and guide teams toward a shared goal.
Looking ahead, while the business landscape continues to evolve with rapid technological change, shifting consumer expectations, and the growing importance of sustainability, one thing remains constant — organizations will always need people who combine competence with character, ambition with purpose, and strategy with empathy.
For young professionals starting their journeys today, the advice remains clear: focus on learning, stay curious, and strive to become excellent at something.
Whether you choose the path of a specialist, a leader, or an entrepreneur, success will not be defined by title alone, but by your ability to create meaningful impact and work effectively with others.
“Career success does not depend on becoming a manager, whether as a specialist, leader, or entrepreneur. Excellence in your chosen field is what truly matters.”
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