Fonterra said in a statement that Mikhalevsky had accepted a senior role with US-based California Dairies, bringing to an end almost 5 years at the New Zealand firm.
Theo Spierings, CEO, Fonterra, said: “He has done a great job leading the premium ingredients business and forging strong customer partnerships.
“We wish him well for the future and thank him for his contribution to Fonterra,” said Mr Spierings.
Fonterra said its director of global formulated foods, Alex Turnbull, would assume the role of acting MD at GIF until the completion of a formal recruitment process.