Kraft Heinz names Steve Cahillane as CEO
The Kraft Heinz Company has announced the appointment of Steve Cahillane as CEO, effective Jan. 1
Cahillane will also join the company’s board of directors and serve as CEO of Global Taste Elevation Co., following Kraft Heinz’s planned separation into two independent, publicly traded companies.
READ: Kraft Heinz to split a decade after megafood merger
He most recently served as chairman, president and CEO of Kellanova (previously Kellogg Company), where he led the company through the separation of its North American cereal business and the launch of Kellanova.
Throughout his more than 30 year career, Cahillane has held senior executive roles at The Nature’s Bounty Co., The Coca-Cola Company and AB InBev.
“I am honoured to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time,” said Cahillane. “Like millions of people around the world, I have a deeply personal connection to the Kraft Heinz brands, dating back to my childhood. I’ve devoted my entire career to building brands, and the opportunity to do the same with Kraft Heinz’s iconic portfolio is a dream come true. I’m confident the planned separation will accelerate the company’s ability to compete and win in today’s environment and unlock the immense opportunity in front of us. I’m looking forward to working with the team to write this exciting next chapter together.”
Cahillane will succeed Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who will continue to serve as an advisor to the company until March 6.
As part of the leadership transition, John T. Cahill, vice chair of Kraft Heinz’s board, who previously served as CEO of Kraft prior to the combination with Heinz, will become board chair. The board will also initiate a global search for a CEO to lead North American Grocery Co.
