Torres joins KDP on 3 November 2026 from Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB), where he is currently president and chief operating officer, overseeing operations in more than 30 countries. Before separation, he will serve as CEO of KDP's Coffee Operating Unit and lead the integration of KDP's and JDE Peet's coffee operations. He will report to KDP CEO Tim Cofer, who will become CEO of Beverage Co. after the split, and will join the Global Coffee Co. board when the separation takes place, which is targeted for early 2027.
Torres brings three decades of consumer goods experience. At Kimberly-Clark he previously served as group president of North America, and earlier held senior roles at Newell Brands, Bain & Company and Mondelēz International. He holds an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and a physics degree from Dartmouth College.
Pamela Patsley, KDP board chairman and future chairman of Global Coffee Co., said Torres "emerged as the clear choice" after a rigorous search against demanding criteria. She said she looks forward to establishing the company as the world's largest pure-play coffee business.
Cofer said Torres has the commercial drive, brand-building background and operational discipline needed to stand up the new company. He added that KDP's base business is healthy and that integration and deleveraging work is on plan, giving Torres time to engage teams, drive synergies and shape strategy ahead of separation.
Torres called the role "an extraordinary opportunity" and described coffee as one of the most exciting and resilient categories in consumer goods. He pointed to brands including Keurig, Peet's, L'OR, Jacobs and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters as the foundation for growth and innovation.
Upon separation, Global Coffee Co. is expected to generate around $16bn in annual revenue, employ more than 25,000 people and serve consumers in over 100 markets. Its portfolio will span single-serve systems, roast and ground, whole bean, soluble, ready-to-drink and away-from-home formats.
