Bunge's finance director, Jacqualyn Fouse, has quit the profit-warning prone agribusiness giant after three years to take on the same role at anti-cancer drugs group Celgene Corporation.

Ms Fouse will in a month's time leave Bunge, which she joined in July 2007, to accept the fourth chief financial officer post of her career, after terms at Alcon and SAirGroup.

Her departure follows a period of some upheaval at Bunge, which as announced a cost cutting drive after already warned on profits twice this year, matching its 2009 record, and in January sold off Brazilian fertilizer assets for nearly $4bn to pay down debts and back growth in sugar.

Bunge shares have fallen by nearly 19% this year, giving the company a stockmarket value of $7.3bn.

Shares in Celgene, worth $23.5bn, have dropped by some 7%.

'Proud of achievements' 

Alberto Weisser, the Bunge chairman and chief executive, said Ms Fouse had "made many contributions" to the oilseeds crusher.

"She spearheaded initiatives to increase efficiency, and provided valuable leadership during a particularly volatile time in our markets and the global economy" he said.

Ms Fouse said she was "proud" of Bunge had accomplished during her tenure, adding that the company had a bright future.

She gained previous experience in chemicals at Celanese Corporation, a manufacturer of compounds used in products from cigarette filters to mobile phones, besides her role at Alcon, a maker of eye care products.

On joining Bunge, Ms Fouse, who was group treasurer at Nestle from 1999-2001, highlighted the opportunity of rejoining the food industry, which she said "promises to be one of the most relevant and exciting in the world".

Back to Burke

Bunge said it had begun a search for a replacement for Ms Fouse, adding that Andrew Burke, the group's global operational excellence officer, would replace her on an interim basis.

Mr Burke also stood in as Bunge's chief financial officer for three months ahead of Ms Fouse's arrival.

Mr Burke, who was switched in June to his current position from co-head of Bunge's global agribusiness division, was a "highly experienced executive with strong finance and operational expertise", Mr Weisser said.

"Given his deep knowledge of Bunge, we expect a smooth transition."