Mumbai: The Kraft Heinz Company has named veteran consumer goods leader Steve Cahillane as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, marking a major leadership shift ahead of the company’s planned division into two standalone, publicly traded entities.
Under the new structure, Cahillane will also take a seat on the Kraft Heinz Board and helm Global Taste Elevation Co., one of the two companies expected to emerge from the separation. The announcement sets the stage for a significant year of transition for the packaged food giant.
Current CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down on January 1 and stay on as an advisor until March 6, 2026, ensuring continuity as the business moves toward its next phase. The company’s board also confirmed that John T. Cahill, vice chair and former Kraft CEO before its merger with Heinz, will assume the role of Chair of the Board, continuing to lead the board’s Separation Committee. Outgoing chair Miguel Patricio will remain on the board.
Alongside the CEO transition, the board has initiated a global search for a chief executive to lead the soon-to-be-formed North American Grocery Co.
Cahillane arrives at Kraft Heinz after an influential tenure as chairman, president and CEO of Kellanova, which was recently acquired by Mars, Incorporated. He steered Kellanova through a period of aggressive global expansion, driving momentum across brands such as Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, and Kellogg’s International, while also leading Kellogg Company’s earlier split that created Kellanova and a separate North American cereal unit.
The move to Kraft Heinz continues a 30-year career spanning senior leadership roles at The Nature’s Bounty Co., Coca-Cola, and AB InBev, strengthening his reputation for brand-building and orchestrating large-scale transformations.
Cahillane described the appointment as deeply personal and professionally energising. “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,” he said. Calling the planned separation a catalyst for agility and growth, he added, “I’m looking forward to working with the team to write this exciting next chapter together.”
Patricio, praising both the incoming and outgoing leaders, said Cahillane’s experience makes him “uniquely qualified” to guide the company into its next era. He credited Abrams-Rivera for transforming Kraft Heinz into a “more agile and innovative organization” and laying the groundwork for the separation effort.
Newly appointed board chair John T. Cahill echoed the sentiment, noting the company enters “an exciting new era” with Steve Cahillane at the helm, while reaffirming the board’s appreciation for Patricio’s stewardship through the preparatory stages of the breakup.
With a refreshed leadership lineup and a structural overhaul underway, Kraft Heinz is preparing to reshape its global footprint and sharpen its competitive edge. Cahillane’s appointment signals a commitment to brand-led growth as the company prepares to unlock new value as two independent businesses.
