Steve Cahillane will be the new CEO of Kraft Heinz on Jan. 1, overseeing the company’s split into two separate companies. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
Steve Cahillane will become the new CEO of The Kraft Heinz Company on Jan. 1, the company announced Tuesday.
The company said Cahillane will lead the company through its planned split into two companies in 2026. The split was announced in September.
They will have “greater strategic and operational focus to serve customers, delight consumers and accelerate performance. The separation is designed to maximize Kraft Heinz’s capabilities and brands while reducing complexity, allowing both new companies to more effectively deploy resources toward their distinct strategic priorities,” a press release said.
Cahillane will lead Global Taste Elevation after the split, which is expected to happen at the end of 2026.
Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down Jan. 1 and serve as an advisor until March 6 to ensure a seamless leadership transition.
The board will begin a search for a CEO of North American Grocery.
“I am honored to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time,” Cahillane said in a statement. “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 has served as CEO of Kellanova (formerly Kellogg) and The Nature’s Bounty Company. He spent seven years with Coca-Cola, most recently as president of Coca-Cola Americas. Before that, he spent eight years with Anheuser Busch InBev.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northwestern University and a MBA from Harvard University.
“Steve is uniquely qualified to lead this organization into the future, and we are delighted he will be taking on the role of CEO. His track record and experience in the industry are unparalleled and will be invaluable as we embark on this next chapter,” said Miguel Patricio, chair of the board, Kraft Heinz, in a statement. “On behalf of the Board and everyone at Kraft Heinz, we are incredibly grateful to Carlos for his many contributions to the Company, serving not only as CEO but in other critical leadership roles. Carlos helped transform the Company into a more agile and innovative organization and laid the groundwork for the upcoming separation. We are excited about the road ahead for Kraft Heinz.”
