Kraft Heinz appoints Steve Cahillane as CEO

The Kraft Heinz Company has announced that it has named Steve Cahillane as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective 1 January 2026. He 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. Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down 1 January and serve as an advisor to the Company until 6 March 2026, to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

“I am honoured to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time,” Cahillane said. “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 brings a wealth of industry experience to Kraft Heinz, having most recently served as Chairman, President and CEO of Kellanova until its recent acquisition by Mars, Incorporated.  Prior to Kellogg, in 2014, Cahillane assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer at The Nature’s Bounty Co. He also spent seven years with The Coca-Cola Company and eight years with AB InBev.