Ferrero’s Jean‑Baptiste Santoul named to lead WK Kellogg
The appointment positions Santoul to drive integration, commercial growth and transformation at the Battle Creek‑based cereal business.
USA – Jean-Baptiste Santoul has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of WK Kellogg Co., effective February 2, 2026, following Ferrero’s US$3.1 billion acquisition of the iconic cereal maker.
Based in Battle Creek, Michigan, Santoul steps into the leadership role vacated by Gary Pilnick, who departed at the end of 2025 after guiding the company through its 2023 spin-off from Kellogg and the landmark sale.
Pilnick successfully launched WK Kellogg Co, led the development and execution of its strategy, and was instrumental in the US$3.1 billion sale to Ferrero.
He helped establish WK Kellogg Co’s strong foundation and positioned the company for long-term success.
Before leading WK Kellogg Co, Pilnick spent 23 years with Kellogg Company, serving on the Executive Committee since 2003.
Before joining WK Kellogg Co., Santoul served as Chief Sales & Business Development Officer at Ferrero Group’s Luxembourg headquarters, where he led global commercial frameworks and enterprise-wide growth and transformation initiatives.
He previously served as President & Managing Director of Ferrero France, overseeing significant portfolio growth and organizational modernisation.
As the new head of the company, Santoul will work closely with WK Kellogg Co’s Leadership Team and leadership at Ferrero Group to advance the company’s strategic priorities and capture its many opportunities for growth.
Earlier in his career, Santoul held multiple senior leadership positions at Henkel across France, Germany, the Benelux region, and North Africa, gaining broad international exposure in operations, marketing, sales, and strategic leadership.
He began his career at Unilever in brand management, building a strong foundation in consumer-centric marketing and brand-led growth.
Santoul’s mandate focuses on accelerating WK Kellogg’s growth, leveraging Ferrero’s resources for innovation in cereals like Froot Loops and Rice Krispies, while expanding into protein- and fibre-enriched categories to counter health trends and regulatory scrutiny of artificial colours.
“This is a pivotal time for WK Kellogg Co and for the future of cereal in North America; the category Mr. Kellogg himself created,” said Santoul.
“I look forward to building on our legacy and advancing the spirit of innovation, operational excellence, and entrepreneurship.”
Under Ferrero, known for Nutella, Kinder, and biscuits, WK Kellogg gains synergies in breakfast and bakery, enhancing North American presence amid category evolution.
The appointment signals Ferrero’s integration strategy post-acquisition, aiming for operational excellence and sustainable expansion in the global cereal market facing competition from bars and yogurts.
WK Kellogg’s brands, beloved for generations, now benefit from Ferrero’s global expertise, positioning the unit for renewed dominance in breakfast foods.
This leadership change underscores ongoing consolidation in packaged goods, blending heritage with forward momentum.
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