Stephen Schmitt
Summary
Stephen Schmitt became PepsiCo's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in November 2025 after a long finance career at Walmart, Yum! Brands and UPS. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Schmitt joined PepsiCo in 2025 and oversees financial planning and analysis, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, treasury, tax, investor relations and internal audit. He previously spent nearly a decade at Walmart, most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Walmart U.S. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai)) At Walmart, Schmitt supported the finance function for the company's largest business unit and helped guide its omnichannel and digital transformation efforts. Earlier, he held finance and strategy roles at Yum! Brands and spent more than a decade in finance and accounting positions at UPS. Schmitt holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Louisville and an MBA from Indiana University Southeast. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Helped support Walmart U.S. as it expanded its omnichannel retail model and digital capabilities. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai))
- Led finance responsibilities for Walmart U.S., including core financial activities for its largest business unit. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai))
- Participated in cost discipline initiatives during his Walmart tenure. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai))
- Built experience in consumer, restaurant and away-from-home businesses through finance and strategy roles at Yum! Brands. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai))
- Brought more than two decades of finance and accounting experience across UPS, Yum! Brands and Walmart before joining PepsiCo. ([pepsico.com](https://www.pepsico.com/leadership/steven-schmitt?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- Schmitt is relatively new to PepsiCo, so his track record in the CFO role is still limited.
- He inherited a finance role during a period of weak North American snack and beverage demand, cost pressure and investor calls for simpler operations. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/activist-investor-elliott-nears-settlement-with-pepsico-wsj-reports-4391774?utm_source=openai))
- No major personal controversy involving Schmitt was identified in the public company filings and reputable news sources reviewed.