PepsiCo appoints new president for Quaker

PURCHASE, N.Y. PepsiCo announced that Jaya Kumar has been appointed president Quaker foods and snacks.

In this role, Kumar will lead the $2 billion operating unit, with a portfolio of brands that includes Quaker hot cereals and Chewy granola bars, Cap'n Crunch, Life and Quaker Oatmeal Squares ready-to-eat cereals, Aunt Jemima mixes and syrups, Rice-A-Roni and Near East side dishes, and Quaker's lite snacks. Based in Chicago, he will report to PepsiCo Americas Foods CEO John Compton.

"Jaya brings a powerful combination of innovation, marketing and retail capabilities to his new role at Quaker," said Compton. "As our global mega-brand for health and wellness, Quaker is the jewel of our good-for-you portfolio of food brands. Jaya's passion for growth, coupled with his deep expertise in consumer and shopping insights, is an unbeatable recipe for taking Quaker through its next chapter of growth."

Since joining PepsiCo in 2005, Kumar has worked with PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America unit, most recently serving as the division's chief marketing officer. While at Frito-Lay, he has transformed the marketing agenda and key organizational capabilities - driving innovation by integrating customer sales, marketing and research and development.