Procter & Gamble, the world's leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, , rejigged its leadership on July 29, promoting long-term executive Shailesh Jejurikar as chief executive officer (CEO)_from January 1, 2026, replacing Jon Moeller, who took up the job in 2021.
The move comes in tandem with growing investor pressure to perform amid P&G's inability to sustain growth momentum due to persistent volume weakness across various product categories. As of July 29, shares of the NYSE-listed company are down 5.34 percent since the beginning of the year.
While P&G did not disclose the reason behind the leadership change, the Ohio-based company has had a history of short-term CEOs, according to a Reuters report.
"It is a proud moment for the country... We are really happy and proud that an Indian can be CEO of a company that is among the 25 most valuable companies in the world. Shailesh, in particular, has done his full education in India and grown up from P&G India to move onto this position. So it is really the Indian global talent pool in that sense," his brother and Executive Director and CEO, Auto and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, Rajesh Jejurikar, told Moneycontrol.
Who is Shailesh Jejurikar?
Jejurikar joined the FMCG company in 1989 as an Assistant Brand Manager in India. He rose through the ranks with regional leadership roles across Asia and Africa before transitioning to global leadership positions in the Fabric and Home Care.
His P&G career has spanned multiple businesses (Health & Beauty Care, Home Care, Fabric Care and P&G Professional) in both developed and developing regions (North America, Europe, Asia and Africa). By 2021, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer, becoming the first Indian to hold the post.
"He has consistently delivered strong business results in every market and on every business, enabled by his deep experience of growing brands locally, regionally, globally and across industries," P&G said in its website.
Prior to his current role, Shailesh was the CEO of Procter & Gamble’s largest business sector, Fabric & Home Care, which includes many iconic brands, like Tide, Ariel, Downy, Gain, Febreze, and Swiffer, They represent about one-third of the total company sales and net earnings.
As he takes over as CEO in 2026, Shailesh will be tasked with steering P&G through its two-year non-core restructuring programme. The initiative, announced by the company, focuses on three interconnected priorities: portfolio optimisation, supply chain transformation, and organisational redesign.
His prior success in leading the Fabric & Home Care unit, where he delivered industry-leading results through innovation, a synchronised supply chain, brand-building, and sales, may position him well to execute this company-wide transformation.
Tariff turmoils
Jejurikar's appointment comes at a critical time as the company deals with increased costs amid a subdued demand enviornment and consumer confidence has been hit by multiple factors, including uncertainties around jobs and the economy, rising prices, and a divisive political environment. The maker of Tide and Pampers had lowered its annual sales and profit forecasts earlier this year, citing pressure from tariffs and low demand.
The company, considered as a bellwether for consumer products, had been battling a surge in input costs as Trump's tariffs made raw and packaging materials and some finished product sourced from China, expensive.
Indian FMCG cos see leadership change
India’s FMCG sector is witnessing a wave of top-level leadership changes as companies adapt to shifting consumer preferences and rapid technological advancements and competition from smaller brands.
In recent months, major players such as Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, Hindustan Unilever, and L'Oréal have announced new CEO appointments, signalling a broader push toward transformation, amid pressure to perform and maintain sales growth as urban demand remains subdued.
Earlier this month, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) announced the appointment of Priya Nair as its new CEO and Managing Director, effective August 1, 2025 — making her the first woman to lead the FMCG giant in its 92-year history, replacing Rohit Java who took over as CEO and MD of HUL in 2023.
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