Steven Williams serves as the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Foods North America, a role he has held since March 2019. A 24-year veteran of PepsiCo, Williams brings extensive leadership experience within the food industry to this position. Under his leadership, PepsiCo Foods North America continues to thrive as a major division within PepsiCo, a global company whose products are consumed more than one billion times daily in over 200 countries and territories.
PepsiCo, known for its diverse portfolio of beverages and convenient foods, generated over $91 billion in net revenue in 2023. The company’s iconic brands, such as Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream, contribute significantly to its robust financial performance. Many of these brands achieve over $1 billion in estimated annual retail sales, underscoring their strong market presence and consumer appeal.
Williams journey with PepsiCo began in 2001 following PepsiCo's acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, where he had been employed since 1997. Over the years, he has held various leadership roles, accumulating deep experience in sales, general management, customer management, sales planning, and shopper marketing. His tenure is marked by a proven track record of delivering strong results across these diverse areas. Prior to becoming CEO, Williams served as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Frito-Lay’s U.S. organization. In this role, he was responsible for setting strategy and overseeing all commercial activities for the U.S. field sales and customer organization. He led a large, multi-functional sales team that managed all Frito-Lay retail customers, sales channels, and go-to-market systems.
Earlier in his career at PepsiCo, Williams managed the company’s global Walmart business. He oversaw the PepsiCo product portfolio across all Walmart divisions, including Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and Walmart International. His leadership in this role was instrumental in building strong strategic partnerships and achieving significant retail sales and market share growth within Walmart. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Williams is actively involved in community service. He serves on the board of directors of State Farm Mutual Automobile Company and is engaged with several academic and charitable organizations. He is a member of the executive advisory board for the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business and the president’s advisory board for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Additionally, he holds the position of Board Chair for United Way in Dallas and will serve as the 2024-2025 Campaign Chair during the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Centennial year.
Williams leadership at PepsiCo Foods North America reflects his deep industry expertise and commitment to driving growth and innovation. His contributions have not only strengthened PepsiCo’s market position but also underscored the importance of community involvement and strategic partnerships in achieving sustained success.