PURCHASE, N.Y. — Zein Abdalla, currently the chief executive officer of PepsiCo, Inc.’s European division, has been named president of the company. He replaces John Compton, who has resigned to become c.e.o. of Pilot Flying J Oil Corp., Knoxville, Tenn.

“We have drawn from our strong and seasoned cadre of business leaders in appointing Zein Abdalla as president,” said Indra Nooyi, chairman and c.e.o. of PepsiCo. “Zein's strategic vision, global experience and focus on execution will serve him very well in this new assignment.

“Zein has demonstrated outstanding business and operational results as the leader of our European sector. During his tenure the division grew revenues from $7 billion to $14 billion; he led the transformation of the European portfolio, shifting it towards the higher-growth markets in the region; and along the way he also helped PepsiCo become the largest food and beverage company in Russia.”

In his new role as president, Mr. Abdalla will oversee PepsiCo’s global category groups, operations, marketing services and corporate strategy. Working with the geographic business units, Mr. Abdalla’s team will be charged to drive innovation and brand building while reducing the overall cost structure of the company.

Mr. Compton leaves PepsiCo after 30 years.

“I love PepsiCo, and I will always be part of the PepsiCo family,” he said. “I have deep and personal ties to Tennessee, and my family’s plan all along has been to return to Tennessee at some point. It isn’t often that the opportunity arises to run one of America’s largest private companies, and this new opportunity was a once in a lifetime chance to do so. This is something I just had to do.”

Enderson Guimaraes will replace Mr. Abdalla as c.e.o. of PepsiCo Europe. Mr. Guimaraes currently is president of PepsiCo’s Global Nutrition Group.