Soda giant PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., has named company veteran Mike Spanos the CEO of its Asia, Middle East and North Africa (AMENA) division, succeeding retiring Sanjeevt Chadha. Ram Krishnan has taken over as the new president of PepsiCo's Greater China region, the role Spanos is vacating. Chadha will serve as chairman of AMENA through the end of the first quarter of 2018. Both will report to Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo’s chairman and CEO.
A 24-year veteran of the company, Spanos most recently was named president of PepsiCo Greater China Region. He has held numerous leadership roles across the organization, with posts in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
"We have a strong bench of senior executives, and we are thrilled to promote Mike, one of our most seasoned and proven leaders, into this important role," said Nooyi. "Most recently, Mike has led our business in China through unprecedented change, growing our foods and beverage businesses and investing in our nutrition portfolio.
On behalf of the entire team, I want to thank Sanjeev for his exemplary career at PepsiCo over the last 27 years and his extraordinary commitment to our company,” Nooyi added. “His continued support as chairman of AMENA until his retirement at the end of March will ensure a smooth transition."
Spanos has had a notable career at PepsiCo, spanning 24 years with posts in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Prior to leading PepsiCo's China business, he led the sales organization across PepsiCo's North America Beverages portfolio, and served as SVP and General Manager for the West Business Unit of the company's beverage operations. Previously, Spanos held various sales and GM roles, including Country Manager for Turkey and VP of Sales and Food Service for The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. He began his PepsiCo career as a frontline territory development manager in beverages.
The following moves are also effective Jan. 1, 2018:
Ram Krishnan, currently senior vice president and general manager of the global PepsiCo Walmart business, will become president, greater China region (GCR), succeeding Spanos. In his new role, he will be responsible for PepsiCo's China business across beverages, foods and nutrition, working closely with the GCR leadership team and partners across AMENA to advance the company's growth in China. He will be based in Shanghai and report to Spanos.
Krishnan brings more than a decade of experience at PepsiCo, where he has served in a number of senior leadership roles across brand and shopper marketing. In his current role, he leads the team that oversees the company's partnership with Walmart, bolstering PepsiCo's position as one of Walmart's leading suppliers. Previously, he served as Frito-Lay North America's (FLNA) Senior Vice President and chief marketing officer.
Chris Turner, currently senior vice president of transformation for Frito-Lay North America, will become senior vice president and general manager of the global PepsiCo Walmart business, reporting to Al Carey, CEO for North America.
