RS Sodhi, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which makes India’s largest dairy brand Amul, has stepped down, four decades after he joined the federation. GCMMF has named chief operating officer Jayen Mehta as interim managing director.

“My term was over two years back; the board had requested me to extend my tenure, but now I have resigned,” Sodhi told ET.

Sodhi began his stint with GCMMF in 1982 where he was senior sales officer. He was named general manager, marketing in the year 2000, and promoted to the role of managing director in 2010.

Mehta, who has been with Amul for over 30 years, has been through various roles in the company, including as brand manager and general manager in the marketing function.

The decision appointing him at the helm finalised by the dairy cooperative at its board meeting on Monday.

Some media reports said a statement informing the board about the leadership changes, signed by GCMMF Chairman Shamalbhai Patel and Vice Chamrian Valamjibhai Humbal, stated that the organisation decided to terminate RS Sodhi’s services as the federation’s managing director with immediate effect.

Sodhi said he will continue to be associated with the Indian Dairy Association, the country’s dairy industry’s governing body, as board member. He had been elected president of the association mid last year.