BATTLE CREEK, MICH. — Kellogg Co. announced appointments to the future leadership team of North American Cereal Co., one of three spin-off entities formed by the company’s recent move to separate the company into focused stand-alone businesses. The newly appointed leaders of North American Cereal Co. will take up their roles following the business separation, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.
Gary Pilnick has been named executive director.
“I am excited to announce the first key appointments to the next North American Cereal Co. leadership team,” said Steve Cahillane, CEO of Kellogg Co. business and central role in defining the company’s successful strategy make him the natural choice to lead the North American Cereal Co.
“Gary and his team of seasoned leaders bring significant depth and breadth of experience and extensive knowledge to North America Cereal Co. In particular, Gary was instrumental in some of our most successful strategic initiatives in recent years, including the acquisition of Pringles, which we see as a blueprint for the positive results that arise when additional focus, attention and investment are combined with class brands world.”
According to Kellogg, Mr. Pilnick has expertise bridging corporate strategy, M&A, legal, investor relations and supply chain. Prior to his tenure at Kellogg, he held leadership roles at Specialty Foods Corp. and Sara Lee Corp.
Dave McKinstray will become chief financial officer.
Mr. McKinstray has held several CFO roles during his 15 years at Kellogg. In addition, he has experience in global roles in risk management, treasury and corporate and financial planning.
“He brings deep financial and analytical expertise to the role of CFO of North America Cereal Co., having served as CFO of the US Snacks business and as CFO of US Retail before moving to his current role as VP president, integrated business planning.” Kellogg said. The previous roles of Mr. McKinstray included positions in commodity risk management and trading.
Sherry Brice-Williamson has been appointed director of supply chain.
Ms. Brice-Williamson brings 20 years of experience operating across the supply chain to the role of Chief Supply Chain Officer. She has been with Kellogg for more than a decade, and in that time, has held leadership roles that include manufacturing, category operations, and quality and compliance.
In her current role as vice president, global food safety and quality, Ms. Brice-Williamson leads the company’s quality and compliance processes globally. She joined Kellogg as part of Procter & Gamble’s acquisition of Pringles, where she held a variety of supply chain roles for nearly 14 years.
Doug VanDeVelde was named to the position of chief growth officer.
“As the current general manager of Kellogg’s U.S. cereal business and one of the industry’s leading experts on ready-to-eat cereal, Doug brings deep and diverse experience to the role of North American Chief Growth Officer Cereal Co .,” the company said. .
Throughout his more than 25-year career at Kellogg, Mr. VanDeVelde developed commercial expertise and held leadership roles, including senior vice president, global breakfast category and senior vice president, marketing and innovation for US breakfast foods.
“He is well-respected throughout the Kellogg world for his knowledge of the ready-to-eat cereal category and our strategic playbook,” said Kellogg. “His role as North American Cereal Co. growth chief will include marketing, R&D, revenue growth management and insights and analytics.”
Bruce Brown will move into the role of chief customer officer.
“Bruce brings significant, broad-based sales and customer expertise to the role of Cereal Co.’s North American Chief Customer Officer,” said Kellogg. “Throughout his 25 years at Kellogg, Bruce has held a variety of leadership roles in customer sales and marketing in both cereals and foods, including senior vice president, western customer teams and senior vice president, national customer teams .
In addition to his current role as vice president, client strategy and planning, Mr. Brown has led projects at Kellogg to integrate, optimize and position the company for future growth, the company said. Prior to his career at Kellogg, he held sales roles at Mott’s USA and Dial Corp.
Shannon Bible was announced as the chief transformation officer.
“In her current position as senior director, strategic initiatives, Ms. Bible plays a leading role in managing the break-up of Kellogg into three independent companies, making him the ideal choice to take on the role of Cereal Co.’s next boss. transformation officer,” the company said. “Shannon has an impressive track record of leading transitions and transformations, including Kellogg’s $1.3 billion sale of the Keebler business and the construction and execution of the related transition services agreement.”
During her nearly 10-year career at Kellogg, Ms. Bible held the position of head of finance and accounting in global business services.
In June, Kellogg announced plans to split the company intothree independent businesses– Global Snacking Co., which includes international cereals and noodles and North American frozen breakfast foods; North American Cereal Co. which includes the Kellogg portfolio of “iconic, world-class” ready-to-eat cereal brands; and Plant Co., a plant-based food company anchored by the MorningStar Farms brand.