WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Robert J. Coviello has been promoted to executive vice-president and chief growth and strategy officer at Bunge Ltd., effective Jan. 1.

Mr. Coviello will drive the development of Bunge’s strategic plans, working alongside the executive committee to evaluate strategic alternatives and ensure Rand disruptive forces in the global agribusiness and food industry.

“Our industry faces countless opportunities for growth, differentiation and disruption, and Rob’s appointment to this role will advance our efforts to build on our strengths and further capitalize on these opportunities,” said Soren W. Schroder, chief executive officer.

Mr. Coviello currently serves as managing director, Southeast Asia and China, and earlier was director of agribusiness in Asia. He joined the company in 2003 and has held a variety of commercial leadership positions in Asia, Europe and the United States. From 2011 to 2015, he was based in London, serving as director of Bunge's sugar product line and then executive director of the company's sugar and ethanol product lines. Earlier assignments include director of global operations and director of ocean freight. Since September, he has served on the board of directors of Solevo Group, a supplier of agricultural inputs to customers in Africa. Prior to Bunge, he held trading roles at Cargill in the United States.

He has a bachelor of arts degree in history from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.