Christian Granlund has been appointed Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, at Arla Foods, based in Denmark. Granlund has worked across industries ranging from dairy to beer, wine and spirits. Yet it is “the white gold” that has ultimately captured his commitment.

Three years in the Norwegian military. Ammunition. Mountains. Cold.

Not the most obvious starting point for a career in the dairy industry. But for Christian Granlund, that is exactly where it begins. As a young sergeant, he was responsible for ensuring supplies reached their destination – not a warehouse in a city, but remote mountain locations where distances are long, infrastructure is limited, and planning errors have very tangible consequences.

“That’s where I realised just how much coordination and planning it takes to make things work.”

That experience has stayed with him. While the setting has shifted from mountain terrain to industrial dairy production, the fundamentals remain: complex supply chains, large volumes, multiple interdependencies – and the expectation that everything runs seamlessly.

Across industries – and back to dairy
Granlund holds a degree in economics, but it is his cross-industry experience that he sees as his most valuable asset. His career has taken him from dairy to brewing, on to wine and spirits, back to beer – and now, from 1 November 2025, back to dairy in a senior supply chain role at Arla.

“I’ve moved across sectors. But it actually fits together well – you bring something with you from each place.”

A key takeaway has been a strong belief in cross-functional collaboration – and a clear scepticism towards siloed organisations.

“If you stay in your own silo and don’t understand the bigger picture – neither the commercial logic nor the realities of other functions – then you simply can’t create something truly good.”

“White at heart”
Ask Christian Granlund what makes dairy special, and he does not hesitate. He calls it “white gold”.

“It’s an incredible product. Complex to produce. It requires strong expertise and good technology to deliver consistent quality – day after day, year after year. And it’s fundamental. People need it.”

For him, the connection is also personal. He grew up with dairy products as a natural part of everyday life and has chosen to make the sector his professional home. At the same time, Arla’s ownership model plays an important role.

“Arla is a strong brand and a special type of company. The fact that it’s farmer-owned matters to me. There’s a real link between those who produce the milk and the company you work for. I think that’s powerful.”

A leader who listens – and sets the pace
Granlund describes his leadership style as motivating and inclusive – but also pace-setting.

“It also has to be enjoyable to go to work. I take that seriously.”

He recalls an early experience in a new role, where he initially pushed for rapid efficiency improvements. The response from employees was clear: involve us.

“When we started involving people instead of running over them, the results improved significantly.”

That lesson has since become a core leadership principle: the best solutions come from those closest to the problem.

He highlights what he calls the “Scandinavian collaboration model” as a genuine competitive advantage:

“Trust, employee involvement, openness – it’s not just for the sake of it. It leads to better decisions and more resilient organisations.”

Between Denmark and Norway
During the week, Granlund lives in Denmark. At weekends, he returns to Norway to spend time with his family.

He finds energy in many places: reading, exercise and food. Cooking and shared meals, in particular, are central.

“The best moments are when you sit with good friends and enjoy something you’ve prepared together.”

Building resilience for the future
Looking ahead, Christian Granlund has clear ambitions. He wants to strengthen the resilience of Arla’s production – and emphasises preparedness as a key concept.

“Security of supply is not just a buzzword. It’s something we need to take seriously. We are part of critical infrastructure. People need food – and that places demands on us.”

His goal is to leave the organisation stronger than he found it, and to contribute to long-term development.

“I hope that, in a few years, people will say we created something more robust – and that we did it together.”

By Maja Løvstrup
Photo: Arla Foods