Jon Nudi – who has been with the business for more than 20 years – is replacing Jeff Harmening, who was promoted in June to become the company’s president and chief operating officer.
Nudi joined General Mills in 1993 and has held roles including serving as president of the US Snacks division, which experienced sales and profit growth under his leadership, according to General Mills.
His most recent position was head of the company's Europe-Australasia region, where he has delivered “outstanding performance including profit growth and top line sales growth”, said the company.
Nudi will be replaced in the Europe role by Bethany Quam, who was most recently head of the convenience and foodservice operating segment, which is responsible for US away-from-home sales and marketing. In that role, added General Mills, she reshaped the operating unit and led the segment to record sales and profit growth the last two years.
Quam has been with General Mills for 23 years and has also held roles in finance, sales, strategic planning, and marketing.
'Exceptional leaders'
"Jon and Bethany are exceptional leaders who know General Mills well and have led successful change efforts for us the last two years," said Harmening.
"They both bring a blend of consumer, customer, and channel knowledge to their new roles, and a strong track record of innovation."
Announcing its full-year results for fiscal 2016 in June, General Mills reported overall sales of the US Retail segment fell 5% year on year to $10bn as a result of factors including the sale of the Green Giant vegetable business in North America.
But it reported 3% year-on-year growth in its US cereals in the fourth quarter – following declines of 3% in the first half of the fiscal year and 1% in the third quarter.
The company said its improved cereals performance had been driven by renovation activity including the introduction of five gluten-free Cheerios varieties last year and removal of artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources from seven of its cereals.