PepsiCo Inc. said Vivek Sankaran, who it recently tapped to lead its North American food operations, is leaving the company April 12 to become president and chief executive of grocery-store operator Albertsons Cos.

The beverage and snacks giant named Steven Williams chief executive officer of PepsiCo Foods North America, which includes Frito-Lay North America and Quaker Foods North America, replacing Mr. Sankaran.

Williams had been senior vice president and chief commercial officer for Frito-Lay's U.S. operations.

In December PepsiCo announced the retirement of Albert Carey as chief executive of PepsiCo North America, with Kirk Tanner becoming CEO of PepsiCo North America Beverages and Mr. Sankaran becoming CEO of Frito-Lay North America.

Williams joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of its acquisition of Quaker Oats, where he had worked since 1997.