Keurig Dr Pepper Hires Kimberly-Clark Exec as the CGs Finalize Leadership Orgs Ahead of M&As
Keurig Dr Pepper and Kimberly-Clark are finalizing their leadership structures ahead of their respective restructuring plans.
As KDP prepares for its organizational split into Beverage Co. and Global Coffee Co. in early 2027, it has named Russ Torres as CEO of the coffee business beginning Nov. 3. Torres was previously the president and chief operating officer of Kimberly-Clark, which has also announced shifts to leadership upon its pending acquisition of Kenvue.
Torres will lead the integration of KDP's and JDE Peet's coffee operations, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cofer, who will lead Beverage Co. following the separation.
Cofer stated that Torres was hired for his experience in accelerating growth across major global portfolios while executing large-scale transformations, and said he brings "the right combination of commercial drive, brand-building pedigree and operational discipline needed to stand up Global Coffee Co. for long-term growth."
Torres has spent 30 years in the consumer goods industry managing multibillion-dollar global businesses and guiding large organizations through complex enterprise transformations. At Kimberly-Clark, he currently oversees operations in more than 30 countries. Earlier in his career, he held senior executive leadership roles at Newell Brands, Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods) and Bain & Co.
"Our base business is healthy, integration and deleveraging work is on plan, and Russ joins with meaningful runway to engage our teams, drive synergy realization and shape strategy well ahead of separation," Cofer added.
Upon separation, Global Coffee Co. is estimated to generate approximately $16 billion in annual revenue, employ more than 25,000 people and serve consumers in more than 100 markets, according to KPD.
Kimberly-Clark's Restructure
Torres is currently the head of Kimberly-Clark's integration management office, so upon his departure, oversight of the company's integration plans and programs ahead of the Kenvue merger will transition to Jeff Melucci, chief strategy, business development and administrative officer. Meanwhile CFO Nelson Urdaneta will oversee the synergy delivery plans.
Kimberly-Clark also announced that Carlos De Jesus, current group president, NA, at Kenvue, will lead the North America segment post-merger. John Carmichael, who currently holds the position, will depart Kimberly-Clark shortly after the transaction's close.
De Jesus was previously set to take on the role of chief growth officer of the combined company. Kimberly-Clark said it is currently looking to fill that role, but De Jesus will oversee the growth organization during this transition period, working closely with CMO Jonathan Halvorson.
Other leadership shifts include:
- Leonardo Curado, current group president, Latin America, at Kenvue, will lead the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) segment effective Jan. 1, 2027.
- Carlton Lawson, current group president, EMEA at Kenvue, will step down at the end of 2026 as part of a planned transition.
- Anindya Dasgupta, who will serve as president, enterprise growth markets, will assume direct oversight of the combined company's Latin America markets.
"The additional transitions we are announcing today are an outcome of continued integration planning progress and will help ensure the combined company is well positioned to capture our biggest growth opportunities," Kimberly-Clark CEO Mike Hsu said in a statement.
Kimberly-Clark expects to complete the Kenvue acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2026.
