PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo, Inc. has announced two senior leadership changes within its Latin American division. Effective May 1, Paula Santilli will assume the role of chief executive officer, LatAm, while Roberto Martinez will lead PepsiCo Mexico Foods (PMF) as president.

“As we focus on becoming more consumer-centric and faster, stronger and better in everything we do, we are fortunate to have two strong and skilled PepsiCo leaders to take on the important roles of overseeing our Latin America business and our Mexico Foods business,” said Ramon Laguarta, chairman and c.e.o., PepsiCo.

Ms. Santilli is currently the president of PMF. She previously served as chief operating officer there and as the vice-president and general manager for PepsiCo’s savory business in Mexico, where she was responsible for Sabritas, Doritos, Cheetos, Ruffles and other snack brands.

Ms. Santilli joined PepsiCo in 2001 through the acquisition of the Quaker Oats Co., where she held various leadership roles. She also has worked for Campbell Soup and the Kellogg Co. in Argentina.

As c.e.o. Ms. Santilli, will report to Mr. Laguarta. She assumes the role from Laxman Narasimhan, who was recently named global chief commercial officer of PepsiCo. 

“Ms. Santilli brings a deep understanding of our business, the marketplace and our consumers in Latin America, and commercial expertise across both the food and beverage categories,” Mr. Laguarta said. “She has a proven track record of delivering results, while also advancing diversity and inclusion. I am absolutely confident she is the ideal leader for this key sector as we work to get closer to our consumers and capture new growth opportunities.”

Moving from his role as chief commercial officer for LatAm, Mr. Martinez will serve as the new president of PMF and report to Ms. Santilli. He has held multiple positions within PepsiCo’s Latin American business, including vice-president and general manager for the company’s Central and South American operating unit and senior vice-president of national sales for PMF.                

Before moving to Mexico, Mr. Martinez spent 11 years working for PepsiCo in Argentina, holding a variety of senior brand management, marketing and R.&D. roles. Prior to PepsiCo, he worked for Gillette, Kraft Foods, Philip Morris and Molinos.