BATTLE CREEK, MICH. — Paul Norman’s work over the past several months to establish new global category teams at The Kellogg Co. didn’t go unnoticed by the company’s top executive. In fact, it led the Battle Creek-based company to bring back a position it eliminated less than two years ago as part of a revised reporting chain.

On April 29, John Bryant, chairman and chief executive officer of Kellogg, said Mr. Norman has been named president of Kellogg North America.

“The combination of Paul’s successful track record and extensive experience, including leading our U.S. Morning Foods and our international businesses, positions him as the ideal leader for the North America region,” Mr. Bryant said. “His recent work to establish the new global category teams while leading U.S. Morning Foods for the past several months make this the right time for Paul to take the lead for North America.”

On Oct. 1, 2013, Brad J. Davidson retired as president of Kellogg North America. At that time, Mr. Bryant said Kellogg was eliminating the roles of president, Kellogg North America, and president, Kellogg International. Business units falling under Kellogg North America — U.S. Morning Foods, U.S. Snacks, U.S. Frozen Foods, U.S. Specialty Channels and Canada — were shifted to Mr. Bryant’s responsibility. The company said the revised reporting chain reflected “the size and importance of these businesses,” while Mr. Bryant said the new structure would “position the company well for future growth.”

Mr. Bryant did not elaborate on why Kellogg was bringing back the position less than two years after eliminating it.

Paul Norman continues to ascend Kellogg's leadership ladder.

Mr. Norman came to Kellogg in 1987, joining the company’s U.K. sales group. He was promoted to a number of marketing roles in France and Canada in the years 1989 to 1996 and became director of marketing, Kellogg de Mexico, in 1997. He was named vice-president of marketing, Kellogg USA in 1999 and president of Kellogg Canada in 2000. In 2002, Mr. Norman returned to Europe as managing director, United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland, and was promoted in 2004 to vice-president, Kellogg Co., and president of U.S. Morning Foods, a position he held until 2008. He was president of Kellogg International from 2008 to 2013, when he was named chief growth officer. He most recently has been head of U.S. cereal since August 2014.

In his new position, Mr. Norman will be responsible for managing a portfolio of businesses within the region, including U.S. Morning Foods, U.S. Snacks, U.S. Frozen Foods, U.S. Specialty Channels and Canada.

Mr. Norman received a bachelor’s degree with honors in French from Portsmouth Polytechnic (now known as the University of Portsmouth) in England.

The company also announced that Craig Bahner will join Kellogg as president of U.S. Morning Foods, reporting to Mr. Norman. Mr. Bahner most recently was chief marketing officer at Wendy’s. Prior to that, he enjoyed a career spanning 20 years at Procter & Gamble, where he held a variety of key leadership positions.

“With more than two decades of demonstrated experience working in general management and functional marketing leadership roles, I’m confident Craig will help return our U.S. Morning Foods business to sustainable growth,” said Mr. Norman, who will work closely with Mr. Bahner to ensure a smooth leadership transition for U.S. Morning Foods.