PepsiCo today (24 September) named former Sara Lee executive Heidi Kleinbach-Sauter as senior vice president for R&D within its global foods business.

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The US food and beverage giant, which earlier this week announced the imminent departure of Mike White, the head of its international operations, said Kleinbach-Sauter would head up its R&D within foods worldwide.


The ex-Sara Lee, Muller and Campina executive will “accelerate” innovation and develop products with “functional advantages”.


Dr. Mehmood Khan, PepsiCo chief scientific officer, said: “I’m confident she will be instrumental in the continued development of differentiated innovation in our global foods and snacks business.”


Kleinbach-Sauter was senior vice president of R&D at Sara Lee Food and Beverage and Foodservice in Chicago. She also led R&D, quality and scientific and regulatory affairs for the Muller in Germany after starting her career with Dutch dairy group Campina.

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Kleinbach-Sauter will report to Dr. Khan and John Compton, CEO for PepsiCo Americas Foods, when she starts her role on 19 October.

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