SnackFutures, the venture arm of Mondelēz (MDLZ), has appointed Richie Gray as vice president and global head of MDLZ SnackFutures. Gray (currently vice president of commercial projects for MDLZ Europe) will take on his new position on April 1.

With a career spanning over two decades, Richie began his journey at the Kraft Foods Group in 1998, serving as part of the UK business unit. Throughout the course of his career, he has held various leadership positions in marketing, sales, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

“I am excited to take on this role to help our existing portfolio of venture companies grow and develop," says Gray. "I look forward to working with the SnackFutures team to continue building a pipeline of disruptive, innovative snacking start-ups to help Mondelēz International in our mission of leading the future of snacking.”

Most recently, as vice president of commercial projects, Gray led marketing and R&D for the acquisition of Chipita S.A., and during the preparation for full integration with Mondelēz. Gray also has been leading the company’s commercial functions for European activity in support of the company’s recently announced agreement with Perfetti Van Melle to acquire Mondelēz’s Developed Market Gum business in the EU and North America.