As Sara Lee CEO Brenda Barnes makes plans to restructure, executives at the Downers Grove-based company are jumping ship. According toCrain'sKim Feil, chief marketing officer for Sara Lee's North American food business will leave next month.

According to reports, a broad companywide layoff of 300 positions has Vice President in charge of marketing for hot dog business Steve Clapp and Vice President of marketing for the Sara Lee brand Peter Reiner also leaving.

Crain's also said that Heidi Kleinbach-Sauter, senior vice-president of research and development, left last week for a similar position elsewhere.

Philippe Schaillee, will become vice-president of marketing strategy and research and development for North America, replacing both Feil and Kleinbach-Sauter. Tulin Tuzel, a vice-president of process and packaging, will manage research and development on a day-to-day basis, reporting to Schaillee.

The memo was sent to all North American employees by C. J. Fraleigh, executive vice-president and chief operating officer for the region, according to reports. The memo said the changes are part of a restructuring designed to cut costs and boost profits.