The Kraft Heinz Co. plans to combine its U.S. and Canada businesses to create the North America Zone, which is expected to be effective in the second fiscal quarter of 2022.
The move is meant to advance the global food and beverage leader’s long-term, sustainable growth plans – which were first outlined at its Investor Day event in September 2020 – by bringing increased agility to its innovation agenda, operations and go-to-market approach.
The company’s U.S. and Canada businesses accounted for approximately 80 percent of its 2020 consolidated net sales.
In the last 12 months, Kraft Heinz has taken multiple steps to transform its overall growth profile, strategic focus and financial flexibility, including divesting certain assets in its global cheese and nuts businesses. The company has also centered its business around a consumer-first approach, significantly investing in its portfolio, digital solutions, customer relationships and people.
The company says the creation of the North America Zone will further fuel its vision to leverage its scale through improved agility for competitive advantage. Structural changes to support the strategic plan are aimed at streamlining and synergizing the U.S. and Canada businesses.
This evolved model is expected to help the North America Zone pilot high-value products, processes and service innovations, backed by the resources of the two countries, while also increasing speed to market.
“As consumer, customer and employee needs change, we must be in a position to anticipate, adjust and respond with speed,” said Miguel Patricio, CEO of Kraft Heinz. “Combining our U.S. and Canada businesses – two dynamic zones – gives us a distinct advantage and will produce faster, more effective results so we can continue investing in our strategic plan and driving sustainable growth. While this is an evolution to our structure, it is part of a broader revolution in how we will work at Kraft Heinz going forward.”
As a result, the following leadership changes are being made:
Kraft Heinz’s new North America Zone will be led by Carlos Abrams-Rivera, currently U.S. Zone president. Since joining Kraft Heinz in February 2020, Abrams-Rivera has been instrumental in reigniting growth in the U.S. business, the company’s largest Zone. He will assume the title of North America Zone President.
The North America Zone structure will include three commercial business units that will be organized around the company’s consumer-driven product platforms and geographic needs, including:
- Taste, Meals and Away From Home will be led by Pedro Navio, currently president of Latin America, and includes the Taste Elevation and Easy Meals Made Better consumer platforms as well as the U.S. foodservice and ingredient businesses;
- Fresh, Beverages and Desserts will be led by Steve Cornell, currently president of Enhancers, Specialty and Away From Home, and includes the Fast Fresh Meals, Easy Indulgent Desserts, Real Food Snacking and Flavorful Hydration consumer platforms; and
- Canada and North America Coffee will be led by Adam Butler, currently president of Kids, Snacks and Beverages.
The company also has appointed Robert Scott as president of research and development for North America, effective immediately. Scott joins Kraft Heinz from Abbott Nutrition, where he most recently served as divisional VP of global product development.
Prior to Abbott Nutrition, he was VP of research and development – Latin America for The Coca- Cola Co., where he delivered consumer-centric product innovations, as well as packaging solutions to support environmental and sustainability goals.
In his new role at Kraft Heinz, Scott will be tasked with leading research and development for the company’s core business, renovation and innovation agendas, and commercialization strategy.
Long-time company executive Bruno Keller, currently Canada Zone president, will assume the position of president of Latin America, part of the company’s International Zone.
Navio, Cornell, Butler and Scott will report directly to Abrams-Rivera under the new structure.
The North America Zone will begin structural transitions in early 2022, with full organizational and financial reporting changes expected to take effect at the start of its second fiscal quarter next year.
