The H.J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh, said it promotedKaren Alber to senior vice president, chief information officer and global program management officer.

Alber joins the company's Office of the Chairman (OOC), which is the most senior policy-making executive management group led by Chairman, President & CEO William R. Johnson.

As an OOC member, Alber will lead the newly established "Program Management Office," which will focus on integrating and driving company-wide initiatives to improve global effectiveness and efficiency, officials said.

"Her promotion reflects her success in leading the development of global business processes and systems to transform the company’s capabilities; building a strong global team of business and information systems leaders; and upgrading the global IS infrastructure," said Heinz.

Heinz also said it promotedTony Cassavechiato global processes and business enablement officer, where he will work with functional and business leaders to enhance Heinz’s process capabilities.