PURCHASE, N.Y. — Jaya Kumar has been promoted to president of Quaker Foods & Snacks, a unit of PepsiCo, Inc. In his new role, Mr. Kumar will lead 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, Rice-A-Roni and Near East side dishes, and Aunt Jemima mixes and syrups.

"Jaya brings a powerful combination of innovation, marketing and retail capabilities to his new role at Quaker," said John Compton, chief executive officer of PepsiCo Americas Foods. "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 unbelievable recipe for taking Quaker through its next chapter of growth."

Mr. Kumar joined PepsiCo in 2005 and most recently was chief marketing officer for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America unit. Earlier, he spent 18 years in international and domestic brand management positions, including at Kraft Foods Inc.