Christopher O'Leary, General Mills
Christopher O'Leary plans to leave his position as executive vice-president and c.o.o., International, at General Mills at the end of the year.

MINNEAPOLIS — Christopher D. O’Leary, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, International, at General Mills, Inc., will step down from his current position on Dec. 31, according to an Oct. 12 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mr. O’Leary is expected to serve in an advisory role during a transition period ending no later than June 30, 2017, the company said.

Jeff Harmening, General Mills
Jeffrey Harmening, president and c.o.o. of General Mills

Jeffrey L. Harmening, who was named president and chief operating officer of General Mills in June, will assume direct accountability for the company’s international operations on Jan. 1, 2017. The company’s international business accounts for approximately 28% of General Mills’ net sales and recorded $4.6 billion in sales in the fiscal year ended May 29.

Mr. O’Leary joined General Mills in December 1997 as vice-president of corporate growth. He was elected a senior vice-president in July 1999 and was named president of the Meals division in 2001. He later added the title of president of the Betty Crocker division before taking on his most recent role as executive vice-president and c.o.o. of international.

Prior to joining General Mills he spent 17 years at PepsiCo, Inc., including roles as president and chief executive officer of the Hostess Frito-Lay business in Canada, vice-president of marketing for Frito-Lay U.S. and vice-president of marketing for Walkers in the United Kingdom.