PepsiCo appoints new leaders for North America and Latin America Foods after portfolio reset
Takeaways for convenience services operators
- Portfolio cuts and pricing changes, combined with leadership focused on away-from-home growth, could reshape which PepsiCo products are available, how they are priced and how they are supported in unattended retail.
- A new unified commercial strategy for away-from-home could include more cross-category programs that pair snacks and beverages.
- PepsiCo’s emphasis on artificial intelligence, digital-first capabilities, and integrated food-and-beverage structures reflects how major suppliers are retooling around data, automation, and channel-specific strategies.
As PepsiCo moves to cut prices on select items and eliminate nearly 20% of its global product lineup, the company is also reshaping its leadership in North America and Latin America Foods to support growth in away-from-home channels and a more streamlined portfolio for customers, including convenience services operators.
Earlier this month, VendingMarketWatch reported that PepsiCo plans to roll back prices on some products and remove about one-fifth of its offerings by early next year, redirecting savings into marketing, “improved value” for shoppers, and innovation around simpler, functional items. Convenience services operators were advised to monitor how SKU rationalization, pricing and product mix changes might filter down to vending, micro markets and office coffee service.
Against that backdrop, PepsiCo announced a series of leadership changes designed to support its growth strategy, sharpen its commercial focus and build on recent investments in technology, manufacturing and distribution. The company said the moves follow a year of unifying its North America businesses, investing in advanced technology and artificial intelligence, strengthening brands, modernizing manufacturing and enhancing warehouse and distribution capabilities. PepsiCo described the changes as the next step in becoming a “more agile and future-ready organization.”
Effective December 28, Steven Williams, currently CEO of PepsiCo North America, will become executive vice president and vice chairman, global chief commercial officer and corporate affairs. In his new role, Williams will be responsible for building a unified PepsiCo selling organization, creating a global strategy to accelerate growth in the away-from-home business, and engaging stakeholders to support growth in the United States and internationally.
Also effective December 28, Ram Krishnan will assume the role of CEO for PepsiCo North America. According to the company, Krishnan will lead an aggressive agenda to further integrate its Foods and Beverages operations, with a focus on creating value and improving PepsiCo’s ability to serve both consumers and customers. In announcing his new role, PepsiCo emphasized Krishnan’s track record of building momentum in U.S. beverages through “portfolio innovation and go-to-market transformation.”
As Krishnan assumes the role of CEO of PepsiCo North America, he will work with several team members, including Rachel Ferdinando, who will remain CEO of the U.S. Foods Category. Mike Del Pozzo will be promoted to president of the U.S. Beverages Category and will join the PepsiCo Executive Committee. Gregg Roden will continue to lead the North America supply chain team. Bryan Santee will lead the U.S. commercial and go-to-market teams as COO.
Additional teams reporting to Krishnan will include Foods and Beverages field sales, Strategic Partnerships and Franchise, Global Foodservice and Pepsi Canada. In addition, the newly integrated Texoma region, which is piloting combined foods and beverages operations, will report to Krishnan.
According to PepsiCo, Kanioura has played a central role in shaping the company's strategy and leading its global capabilities transformation. Under her leadership, Latin America Foods is expected to continue innovating with digital-first solutions, expanding the use of artificial intelligence and piloting new culinary initiatives.
PepsiCo said the organizational changes are intended to strengthen recent progress and position the company to capture new growth opportunities. By aligning leadership around an integrated approach, the company aims to deliver value for customers, consumers, shareholders and employees.
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About the Author
Linda Becker
Editor-in-Chief
Linda Becker is editor-in-chief of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. She has more than 20 years of experience in B2B publishing, writing, editing and producing content for magazines, websites, webinars, podcasts, newsletters and eBooks, primarily for manufacturing and process engineering audiences. Since joining Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com, Linda has developed a new appreciation for the convenience services industry and the essential role it plays. She is dedicated to serving readers by covering the latest news in the vending, office coffee service and micro market industry. She can be reached at 262-203-9924 or [email protected].