McVitie’s retail boss quits for General Mills

McVitie’s general manager for its retailer and trading brand division Jim McDonnell is leaving to join General Mills.

He takes up the post of director of General Mills international snacks business, GenSnack, which is based in Windsor.

GenSnack acts on a consultancy basis with other General Mills’ businesses working on brand development. He will report directly to president of GM International Foods Dave Murphy.

McDonnell, who joined McVitie’s nine years ago, has latterly headed the 120m own-label biscuit business, which supplies all major retailers in the UK. However, McVitie’s does not produce Puffin biscuits for Asda. Earlier this year McVitie’s took the supermarket to court for passing off its Penguin bars.

McDonnell takes up the position in mid-June.

Last year, chief executive of Kraft Jacobs Suchard Ray Viault was appointed as head of General Mills’ international operation.