Procter & Gamble has broadened the responsibilities of senior executive David Taylor putting him the most likely candidate to replace current CEO A.G. Lafley. Taylor was give the responsibility of overseeing the company’s troubled beauty business, which has been struggling to post solid sales growth. His new role is group president of global beauty, grooming and health and he now oversees 43% of the company’s business.

Mr. Taylor’s new position appears to place him in the lead of a succession race that once included several executives, nicknamed “the fab five.” The list was trimmed to four when Melanie Healey announced her retirement last fall. The others, Giovanni Ciserani, group president of global fabric and home care; Martin Riant, group president of global baby, feminine and family care; and Deborah Henretta, former head of the beauty business, remain at P&G.

Henretta will now head the budding e-commerce operations. Her role as group president of e-commerce is a new one at P&G, which is now hoping to boost sales of its products over the Internet after years of focusing almost entirely on relationships with big brick and mortar retailers like Wal-Mart.

Wednesday’s announcement also elevated Patrice Louvet to group president of global beauty. He will now report to Taylor. Last fall, P&G said Louvet would move to P&G’s beauty unit to lead its global cosmetics, high-end prestige and salon business during a management shakeup intended to bolster the executive talent of that business.