March 16 (Reuters) - Hershey said on Monday it

would unify its U.S. businesses, bringing its sweet, salty and

protein portfolios under a single roof, as the chocolate maker

looks to simplify operations.

Other major packaged-food makers, including Nestle

and Campbell's, have also recently pursued similar

streamlining efforts across their businesses.

* It is the first time the maker of Reese's and SkinnyPop

has consolidated brand marketing, category strategy and consumer

insights across its U.S. businesses.

* Hershey has been navigating higher costs, linked to cocoa

and sugar, by selectively raising prices, altering packaging,

even as it battles sluggish consumer spending on indulgent

confectionary products.

* The company said the new model aims to scale the

commercial strengths of its confectionery brands at par with its

salty and protein offerings.

* Effective immediately, Hershey U.S. President Andrew

Archambault will take on an expanded role, overseeing the entire

domestic portfolio, including commercial planning, customer

relationships and retail execution; Nitin Jain will join as

chief strategy and transformation officer and report directly to

the CEO.

* In August last year, former Wendy's chief Kirk Tanner took

the helm at Hershey, replacing Michele Buck, who was the CEO for

eight years.

(Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)