After graduating from Lund University in Sweden with a degree in business administration, Lars Olofsson joined Nestlé in 1976 as a product manager for Findus frozen products. From 1981 to 1992, he worked at Nestlé France, where he held different commercial and marketing functions.
In 1992, he became Managing Director of France Glaces Findus. He was then appointed President of Pripps-Procordia Sweden before taking the head of the Dairy and Dietetic Products Division at Sopad-Nestlé.

In 1995, he was appointed General Manager of Nestlé’s Nordic Markets. In 1997, Lars Olofsson became Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé France, before being named Executive Vice-President of the Nestlé Group in 2001 responsible for all European operations. In 2005, he was appointed Executive Vice-President of the Nestlé Group in charge of Strategic Business Units, Marketing and Sales worldwide.

On 1 January 2009, Lars Olofsson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Carrefour Group, and he joined the Board of Directors on 28 April 2009.He also serves as Chairman of the Carrefour Foundation.

Lars Olofsson is also the co-chair of the “Consumer Goods Forum” since June, 24th 2010.

On 21 June 2011, Lars Olofsson was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group.