President Barack Obama on Monday will nominate Robert McDonald, a former CEO of Procter & Gamble Co., to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary, a White House official said.

The White House said Mr. McDonald would bring gravitas and well-honed management skills to the troubled department, which is struggling to address an array of systemic problems.

Mr. McDonald, 61 years old, is a veteran and a West Point graduate, but his limited military experience is unusual for the VA post. A former paratrooper, Mr. McDonald served for five years in the U.S. Army, leaving as a captain.

For roughly a decade, the top spot at the VA has gone to a former general or colonel. Eric Shinseki, who resigned as VA secretary a month ago under pressure, is a retired four-star general with combat experience who served as the Army's chief of staff. His predecessor, James Peake, is also a retired general.

Mr. McDonald couldn't be reached for comment.