ConAgra Foods has named former PepsiCo executive Bill Hutton as head of the company’s consumer foods international business.

Citing Hutton’s FMCG experience in emerging markets, ConAgra also emphasised that he is adept at “creating value in integrating acquisitions”.

The tone of the announcement seems to hint at the possibility that the US food group could be on the look out for acquisitions to strengthen its international position, particularly in emerging markets.

Since the beginning of the year, ConAgra has completed three acquisitions of note, all of which have been located in North America. In January, ConAgra purchased Del Monte’s Canadian operations, in April it bought US firm Odom’s Tennesse Pride and in May it acquired a pita chip business from Kangaroo Brands.