In a transition signaling continuity and planned succession, Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced that Chief Operating Officer Shailesh Jejurikar will succeed Jon Moeller as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Moeller, who has been at the helm since November 2021, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, leading the Board of Directors and providing guidance to the new CEO.
The announcement, made just ahead of P&G's quarterly results, comes after Moeller's four-year tenure, during which the company navigated a post-pandemic sales boom, rising expenses, and persistent inflation. P&G's shares saw an approximate 13% gain during this period, aligning with the S&P 500 index. However, the company has also faced challenges, including rising input costs and weakening consumer spending, leading to a recent announcement of a two-year restructuring plan involving 7,000 job cuts and the streamlining of certain product categories.
According to P&G's chief communications officer, Damon Jones, this leadership change is part of a planned and orderly transition made by the board, dispelling any concerns about Moeller's health. The company has a history of promoting from within, with both Moeller and his predecessor, David Taylor, rising through the ranks. Taylor served as CEO for six years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, before also becoming executive chairman.
Jejurikar joined P&G in 1989 and has been a member of the company's global leadership team since 2014. He has held various senior leadership positions across multiple businesses and regions, including global Fabric Care and Home Care, and has worked in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Prior to his role as COO, Jejurikar served as the Chief Executive Officer of Procter & Gamble's largest business sector, Fabric & Home Care, which includes brands such as Tide, Ariel, Downy, Gain, Febreze, and Swiffer. This division represents about one-third of P&G's total company sales and net earnings. He also served as executive sponsor for global sustainability from 2016 to 2021, integrating P&G's sustainability goals into the company's day-to-day business.
Joe Jimenez, Lead Director of P&G's Board, expressed the Board's confidence in Jejurikar, noting his integral role in P&G's leadership team and his consistent delivery of strong results in the businesses and markets he has led. The board has also nominated Jejurikar as a director to stand for election at the annual shareholder meeting in October 2025.
Moeller, who has been with P&G since 1988, has held various senior leadership roles in categories, sectors, and regions, including assignments in China. He served as Chief Financial Officer for more than 12 years and has led major merger and acquisition operations, including the Merck KGaA acquisition and the divestitures of P&G's coffee, snacks, pharmaceuticals, battery and prestige beauty businesses. As CEO, Moeller oversaw the implementation of P&G's integrated portfolio, superiority, productivity, and organization strategy.
As Executive Chairman, Moeller will continue to provide his expertise and guidance to Jejurikar and the leadership team. This transition is viewed by analysts as a smooth one, with expectations that Jejurikar will continue to steer P&G through competitive consumer markets and global economic challenges while maintaining a focus on brand strength and operational efficiency.
