OMAHA, Neb. — ConAgra Foods Inc. has announced that Darren Serrao has been appointed to the new position of chief growth officer, effective August 17, 2015. Serrao will report to CEO Sean Connolly.

“Darren is a talented industry veteran with significant leadership experience who will be a tremendous addition to our team,” said Connolly. “Darren brings proven innovation and new-product development expertise, operational experience and a strong consumer focus. This appointment reflects our ongoing effort to remake ConAgra Foods into a focused, higher-margin, more contemporary and higher-performing company. I look forward to the many contributions Darren will make as we continue to execute our strategy.”

As chief growth officer, Serrao will lead the Growth Center of Excellence at ConAgra Foods that includes insights, innovation, research and development and marketing. The Growth Center joins multiple departments to improve connectivity and boost speed-to-market, ensuring strong insights lead to relevant and timely products with the right marketing support.

Serrao was most recently senior vice president, chief marketing and commercial officer at Campbell Soup, where he led the U.S. consumer business, Campbell’s largest line of business. Previously he was vice president of innovation and business development for Campbell North America, where he accelerated the business’s growth from innovation and acquisition. Serrao also held several profit and loss (P&L) and marketing positions during his career, including roles with PepsiCo and Unilever.

ConAgra Foods is one of North America’s largest packaged food companies, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Snack Pack and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private-brand labels, in grocery, convenience stores, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice, bakery and grain products to commercial and foodservice customers.