MUMBAI: Indian origin Indra Nooyi has decided to step down from American multinational food, snack, and beverage company PepsiCo after heading it for 12 years.  

She is currently serving her notice period and will leave the position on October 3. Nooyi will however remain Pepsico’s chairman until early 2019.

Recently elevated PepsiCo president Ramon Laguarta will fill in Nooyi’s shoes to be the new CEO. Laguarta has been with the corporation for over 22 years.

In a statement issued by the company, Nooyi said, “Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company. Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose — delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve — we've made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible. PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead.”

Nooyi joined PepsiCo in 1994 as senior vice president of strategic planning and has since donned many hats at the company. 

A Yale University alumni, she shattered the glass ceiling by becoming PepsiCo’s first female CEO.