Edison Manalu is a devoted triathlete and marathon enthusiast whose life and work are shaped by the same discipline that drives him across open water, running lanes, and the corridors of leadership. For Edison, both triathlon and marathon are more than sports—they are powerful teachers that forge resilience, focus, and a formidable work ethic. The steady cadence of training mirrors the disciplined, methodical approach he brings to every project, every team, and every decision. He believes that lasting achievement in life and in business comes not from quick wins, but from consistent progress, patient perseverance, and joy found in the journey.

The timeless philosophy he lives by is simple: every goal requires a process. There are no shortcuts to real growth. By embracing each training session, pushing through fatigue, and savoring the small victories along the way, Edison remains grateful, steadfast, and unwavering in his pursuit. This mindset has not only shaped his character but also propelled him toward leading several companies with a clear vision, integrity, and a steady hand.

A cornerstone of his life is a belief he holds close: “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” (Inspired by the truth that joy and gratitude nourish the soul and uplift those around us.) Beyond sports, Edison strives to cultivate a mindset of appreciation for even the smallest blessings, maintaining happiness and optimism that the Creator has a beautiful plan for our lives—one that blesses not only us but others as well.

Another guiding motto he trusts deeply is “Tan Hanna Wigna Tan Sirna” — nothing is insurmountable. This belief fuels his problem-solving spirit: no challenge is too great, no obstacle too stubborn, no goal too distant when approached with discipline, resilience, and a solution-focused mindset.

If you share a passion for endurance, leadership, and living with purpose, Edison invites you to connect and explore how discipline, gratitude, and a relentless pursuit of improvement can empower both personal growth and meaningful impact in the world.

Edison Manalu’s professional journey spans two dynamic decades in the retail and food & beverages ecosystem, culminating in a national leadership footprint in industrial catering. His story is one of starting from the ground up, relentless learnings, and a leadership philosophy rooted in principles, flexibility, and people.

Early foundations and education

Edison completed his studies at Universitas Airlangga in 1994, armed with a drive to transform retail and food service into more meaningful, customer-centric experiences.
Fresh from university, he seized a Management Trainee opportunity at PT Hero Supermarket, Tbk—one of the industry’s premier retailers at the time. This entry point was deliberate: Edison believed in earning his stripes from the bottom, learning every aisle, every shelf, and every customer interaction in depth before scaling the ladder of leadership.

A career built on rising through the ranks

From his early days as an Assistant Store Manager, Edison’s career unfolded as a deliberate ascent through the operational and strategic layers of retail. He embraced roles that allowed him to shape store performance, people development, and customer experience—hallmarks of a leader who believes that results are built on solid execution at the ground level.

His professional path then carried him across a spectrum of multinational retail players, where he honed a broad and robust toolkit:

• Hero Supermarket, Tbk
• Continent Hypermarket
• Carrefour Hypermarket
• Cardig Aero Services, Tbk
• Toko Gunung Agung, Tbk

These experiences broadened his perspective on retail excellence across markets and formats, refining his ability to translate strategy into practical, scalable actions.

A pivotal chapter: Hero Supermarket and the Dairy Farm era

Edison’s career arc took a defining turn when the majority ownership of PT Hero Supermarket, Tbk shifted to Dairy Farm International (a Jardine Matheson group). He was invited back to Hero and quickly ascended to higher echelons of leadership. Over the next decade, he progressed from Regional Manager to Group Chief Operating Officer, and his name came to be associated with the executive leadership team at the Board level, ultimately serving as a Board of Executive Directors member.

Two decades in retail leadership (1994–2014)

During this 20-year stretch, Edison shaped strategy, operations, and organizational culture at the highest levels of retail. He built a track record of turning around performance metrics, aligning teams toward common goals, and cultivating leadership pipelines that sustained growth across multiple geographies and formats.

A shift to global service and food solution leadership

In 2014, Edison transitioned from pure retail into the broader food service and solutions arena as CEO and President Director of Cardig Aero Services, Tbk, within its Food Solution division. He oversaw two subsidiaries dedicated to inflight catering and industrial catering, expanding the scope of his leadership to serve both airline and industrial clients with a focus on quality, efficiency, and customer experience.

Leading The Harvest Group to national prominence

In 2019, Edison took the helm as Group CEO of The Harvest Group, a market-leading cake retail company. With a leadership style described as firm yet nurturing, he steered The Harvest Group to become Indonesia’s largest modern cake retail network. His impact earned him recognition as “The Best CEO 2023” by SWA Magazine, a testament to his ability to blend assertive principles with an empowering leadership approach.

Current role: Pioneering national industrial catering

Since late 2024, Edison has been serving as Group CEO of PT Anugerah Duta Food Solution (ADFS), a rising national-scale startup in the industrial catering sector. In this capacity, he leads efforts to expand a versatile portfolio of industrial catering solutions, scaling capabilities to meet the complex needs of clients across the country.

Public impact: speaking, mentoring, and industry influence

Beyond his executive responsibilities, Edison remains actively engaged as a speaker and mentor across various Food & Beverage events and organizations. He shares practical insights from his leadership journey, mentoring the next generation of leaders in retail, food service, and industrial catering.