The Kraft Heinz Company has appointed Steve Cahillane as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 January 2026, as the group prepares to separate into two independent, publicly traded businesses.
Cahillane will also join the company’s board and is set to lead the future Global Taste Elevation Co., one of the two entities that will be created through Kraft Heinz’s planned separation.
Current CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down at the end of 2025 and remain with the company in an advisory role until March 2026 to support the leadership transition.
Leadership changes tied to structural reset
The announcement comes as Kraft Heinz moves forward with its plan to split into two standalone companies, a move first disclosed in September 2025.
Alongside Cahillane’s appointment, John T. Cahill will succeed Miguel Patricio as chair of the board. Patricio will remain on the board following the transition, while the company begins a separate CEO search for the future North American Grocery Co.
The separation is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. Kraft Heinz has said the transaction is intended to be tax-free for shareholders.
Why Cahillane matters to the business
Cahillane joins Kraft Heinz from Kellanova, formerly Kellogg Company, where he served as chairman, president and CEO until its acquisition by Mars in late 2025.
During his tenure, he oversaw Kellogg’s own corporate separation, helping create Kellanova as a focused global snacking business. His background also includes senior leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company, AB InBev and The Nature’s Bounty Co.
That experience is seen as particularly relevant as Kraft Heinz restructures its portfolio and sharpens strategic focus across global food categories.
Implications for supermarkets and suppliers
Kraft Heinz remains one of the world’s largest packaged food suppliers to supermarkets, with brands spanning condiments, sauces, meals, snacks and grocery staples.
The planned split is expected to give each future business clearer category focus, which could influence how Kraft Heinz engages with retailers, manages brand investment, and competes for shelf space alongside other major packaged food brands in supermarkets.
For retailers, the move may lead to more targeted brand strategies by region and category, particularly as branded manufacturers continue to face pressure from private label growth across European grocery markets.
What happens next
Cahillane will assume the CEO role at the start of 2026, working alongside the board as Kraft Heinz prepares for the legal and operational separation of the two businesses.
The company has said both new entities will have greater strategic flexibility and operational focus once the split is completed.
Editor’s note: This article is based on the official announcement from The Kraft Heinz Company regarding executive leadership changes and its planned corporate separation.
