Jeri B. Finard, Kraft Foods Inc.’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, is leaving her post for personal reasons, the company said Friday.
Finard, a 20-year veteran, is departing after just seven months on the job as Kraft’s first chief marketing officer. She will remain with the company through mid-May.
“Jeri has had a terrific career at Kraft, defined by her passion for building brands, her creative marketing ideas and her deep understanding of consumers,” said Irene Rosenfeld, Kraft chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement. “We thank Jeri for her many contributions, particularly in leading a number of our North American businesses, and most recently, for helping to set Kraft on a new path toward greater innovation. We will miss Jeri and wish her much success in the future.”
Kraft said it is conducting an internal and external search to find Finard’s replacement.
Finard most recently worked as executive vice president, global category development, where she helped grow Kraft’s global brands, including Oreo, Maxwell House and Jacobs. She joined Kraft in 1986 as an assistant brand manager and moved up the ranks, handling a number of marketing and management positions, including assignments in strategy and new product development.
During her tenure, she worked as general manager for a subsidiary of Kraft Foods, which imported Altoids and Toblerone from Europe. Finard also played a key role in acquiring the Balance Bar energy bar brand for Kraft.
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