Andrew Franklin’s professional career spans more than two decades and reflects a sustained commitment to the intersection of science, nutrition, and business strategy. From early engineering roles to leading international commercial teams, Franklin’s progression offers a case study in long-term career development within the health and nutrition sector.
Currently serving as the Business Executive Officer at Nestlé Health Science in North York, Ontario, Franklin’s responsibilities encompass national and strategic leadership for a division focused on specialized medical nutrition. This role builds on a career that has consistently bridged technical expertise and commercial strategy.
Early Academic Foundations
Andrew Franklin’s academic background set a clear foundation for his career in health-related industries. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University between 1990 and 1995. This interdisciplinary program combined rigorous coursework in chemistry and engineering, preparing graduates for roles that require both technical proficiency and practical problem-solving in applied sciences.
Following several years of professional experience, Franklin returned to Queen’s University to complete an MBA between 2001 and 2003. The advanced business education complemented his scientific background, positioning him for senior roles that require navigating corporate strategy, marketing, and cross-functional leadership.
Product Development at Procter & Gamble
Franklin began his post-university career at Procter & Gamble (P&G), where he worked from 1995 to 1998 as a Product Development Manager. This early role placed him at the core of one of the world’s most process-oriented and product-driven companies. Working at P&G gave Franklin foundational experience in consumer product development, aligning R&D with market needs and navigating the complexity of large-scale manufacturing.
This experience at P&G was essential for developing technical competence and an understanding of consumer-facing science-based product lines — knowledge he would carry into his future roles in the healthcare and nutrition industries.
Transition to Healthcare Nutrition
In 2001, Franklin moved into a new phase of his career with Mead Johnson Nutritionals, a company specializing in infant and pediatric nutrition. Over three years, he served as a Marketing Manager, gaining deep insight into consumer healthcare marketing. His responsibilities likely included market analysis, brand positioning, and campaign development for nutritional products grounded in clinical science.
From 2004 to 2007, he joined Novartis Medical Nutrition as Director of Retail Marketing and Sales. This role marked his transition from product-focused marketing into broader leadership positions involving sales force management and retail distribution strategies. He remained with Novartis through its acquisition by Nestlé, a move that later saw him assume more influential roles within Nestlé Health Science.
Evolving Within Nestlé Health Science
Franklin’s professional development became closely tied with Nestlé Health Science, a division of Nestlé focusing on therapeutic and nutritional health solutions. His early responsibilities in this organization included serving as a Marketing Leader from 2006 to 2011, managing branding and product strategy across healthcare nutrition offerings.
From 2011 to 2015, Franklin was promoted to National Sales Director based in North York, Ontario. In this capacity, he led nationwide sales operations for the division. His role involved managing key client relationships, working with medical professionals, and aligning sales activities with clinical developments and emerging nutritional research.
In 2015, Franklin took on an international assignment as the European Commercial Lead for Medical Nutrition, based in the Lausanne Area of Switzerland. This position expanded his influence across multiple markets and required a nuanced understanding of regulatory differences, regional consumer behavior, and multinational healthcare systems. He held this position for over two years, gaining valuable international leadership experience and a broader view of Nestlé’s global strategy in health science.
Business Executive Officer: Leading in North America
In November 2017, Andrew Franklin returned to Canada to assume the role of Business Executive Officer for Nestlé Health Science. Based in Toronto, this senior leadership role places him in charge of Canadian operations within the division, managing commercial strategy, product portfolio, revenue growth, and alignment with corporate health initiatives.
The position demands both operational excellence and long-term vision. Nestlé Health Science focuses on nutrition for specific patient populations, including those with chronic illnesses, gastrointestinal disorders, and metabolic conditions. As Business Executive Officer, Franklin oversees market strategy for specialized products often recommended by physicians and dietitians, requiring close collaboration with clinical experts and regulatory stakeholders.
Strategic Impact and Responsibilities
Franklin’s role includes overseeing a variety of business functions, including:
- Sales Operations: Ensuring that field teams deliver consistent results in partnership with healthcare institutions and distributors.
- Market Development: Expanding awareness and accessibility of medical nutrition in coordination with evolving public health policies.
- Brand Management: Guiding the positioning of medical nutrition brands, many of which serve patients with serious health needs.
- Regulatory Compliance: Navigating Canada’s health product regulations while aligning with global corporate guidelines.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Managing coordination between marketing, finance, operations, and R&D to ensure strategic alignment and operational efficiency.
His engineering and MBA background give him the tools to manage these diverse responsibilities with an analytical and structured approach.
International Experience and its Influence
Franklin’s international posting in Switzerland exposed him to a different set of challenges and cultural approaches to healthcare. In many European countries, reimbursement structures, national healthcare systems, and patient pathways differ substantially from North America. His ability to adapt and lead in this context signals his capacity for agile leadership in regulated and sensitive market environments.
That experience also added value to his current role, as North American healthcare becomes increasingly influenced by global standards and emerging international best practices in medical nutrition.
Navigating Industry Trends
The global landscape of health science and nutrition has changed dramatically over the past two decades. With aging populations, a rise in non-communicable diseases, and growing consumer awareness of preventative health, the demand for clinically validated nutrition solutions has increased.
As a senior executive at Nestlé Health Science, Franklin is situated at a strategic crossroads — balancing medical innovation, clinical efficacy, and commercial sustainability. He has had to guide product strategy through the lens of scientific evidence while also considering patient accessibility and payer models.
His leadership aligns with trends such as:
- Personalized Nutrition: Development of tailored nutrition plans based on genetic, biometric, or clinical data.
- Disease-Specific Formulations: Targeting nutrition for diseases like diabetes, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Home Healthcare: Increasing demand for at-home nutritional solutions amid pressures on hospital systems.
- Digital Integration: Use of mobile platforms and digital tools to guide nutritional compliance and remote patient monitoring.
Long-Term Leadership and Influence
Franklin’s consistent rise through roles of increasing responsibility reflects a professional ethos grounded in adaptability, technical knowledge, and commercial strategy. Unlike short-term executives who move across industries rapidly, Franklin has built his expertise within a consistent field. This focus has enabled him to develop institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of the medical nutrition landscape.
His leadership likely influences not only Nestlé Health Science’s internal performance metrics but also how medical professionals and health systems in Canada view nutrition as a pillar of patient care.
Educational Contributions and Mentorship
While not publicly documented in depth, it is likely that Franklin contributes informally or formally to mentoring programs within Nestlé, given the size and structure of the organization. His engineering and business background, combined with decades of applied commercial experience, position him as a valuable internal resource for developing emerging leaders in the health science field.
Conclusion
Andrew Franklin’s career illustrates the trajectory of a leader who has aligned his technical training with evolving industry needs in health and medical nutrition. From product development at Procter & Gamble to executive leadership at Nestlé Health Science, Franklin has maintained a consistent focus on science-backed commercial solutions in the healthcare space.
His long-term roles across marketing, sales, and international operations demonstrate a balanced approach to leadership—one that values both technical accuracy and market impact. Today, as Business Executive Officer, he continues to shape how nutrition integrates with modern healthcare delivery across Canada and beyond.
FAQs:
1. What is Andrew Franklin’s current role at Nestlé Health Science?
He is the Business Executive Officer at Nestlé Health Science, overseeing operations and strategy in North York, Ontario.
2. What educational background does Andrew Franklin have?
He holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University in Canada.
3. Has Andrew Franklin worked internationally?
Yes, he served as European Commercial Lead for Medical Nutrition at Nestlé Health Science in Lausanne, Switzerland.
4. What industries has Andrew Franklin worked in?
He has worked in health science, medical nutrition, and consumer products at companies like P&G, Mead Johnson, and Novartis.
5. How long has Andrew Franklin been with Nestlé Health Science?
He has been with Nestlé Health Science since 2006, holding various leadership roles for over 15 years.
