PURCHASE, N.Y. — The former president and chief executive officer of Walmart’s Sam’s Club division, Brian Cornell, has returned to Pepsi­Co Inc.

The former president and chief executive officer of Walmart’s Sam’s Club division, Brian Cornell, has returned to Pepsi­Co Inc.

Cornell has been named chief executive officer of PepsiCo Americas Foods, replacing John Compton, who has been appointed to a new position, president of PepsiCo. Both Cornell and Compton report to Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo.

In his new role Cornell is responsible for Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods and Snacks North America, Pepsi­Co Mexico, South America Foods, PepsiCo customer teams and all Power of One activities within the Americas.

This is Cornell’s second stint at PepsiCo, where he previously served as president of Tropicana, president of PepsiCo beverages for Europe and Africa, and president of PepsiCo North America Foodservice.

"Brian’s strategic vision and deep experience across several industries provide a unique perspective to our senior leadership team," Nooyi commented. "He has successfully led transformational agendas at his assignments at Sam’s Club and Safeway and is well versed in what it takes to be a senior executive of a large public ­company."

During his three-year tenure at Sam’s Club the membership warehouse club chain produced dramatically improved financial results. Prior to that he served as CEO of Michaels, the specialty arts and crafts retailer, and led a turnaround of that business. Previously he was executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Safeway Inc.