Campbell president exits for Sara Lee

NEW YORK — Campbell's North America division president Sean Connolly will take the helm at Sara Lee's North American retail and foodservice business, the companies said Friday.

Sara Lee said Connolly will serve as CEO of MeatCo, effective Jan. 17, following Sara Lee's planned spinoff of its international coffee and tea business. During his tenure as president of Campbell North America, a position he held since 2010, Connolly was responsible for the company's largest division, the company said.

"We are very excited to have Sean Connolly serve as the head of our MeatCo business as we prepare for it to become a separate pure-play, publicly-held company,” Sara Lee executive chairman Jan Bennink said. “He has extensive experience in the American food industry, coupled with a strong track record as a great innovator, particularly in mature categories. These strengths will allow him to take a fresh look at the business and enable the company to reach its full potential.”

At Campbell, Connolly will be replaced by Mark Alexander, a 22-year company veteran that has held held marketing, sales and management roles in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. Alexander most recently served as chief customer officer and president of Campbell's North America baking and snacking business.