Kraft Heinz Announces CEO Transition As Corporate Remodeling Continues

Kraft Heinz’s executive suite is set for a changing of the guard in 2024, as the company announced today that Carlos Abrams-Rivera, its EVP and president of the North America Zone, will take over as CEO from Miguel Patricio in the new year.

“I am humbled and honored to be appointed as the new CEO of Kraft Heinz. I would like to thank Miguel for his mentorship, all he has done to rekindle the spirit of Kraft Heinz and our culture, and for his partnership, now and in the future,” Abrams-Rivera said in a press release.”

Abrams-Rivera joined Kraft in 2020 as president of the U.S. Zone. Prior to this, he spent nearly five years at both Mondelez and, most recently, The Campbell Soup Company, where he ran the company’s snacks division for three years.

Upon Abrams-Rivera’s promotion, Patricio, who has served as the company’s CEO since 2019 and chair of the board since 2022, will transition to a non-executive role as chair of the board.

“[Carlos’] strategic and innovative mindset is ideal to continue to propel Kraft Heinz forward on our path to greatness,” Patricio said in a press release. “Since joining Kraft Heinz in 2020, he has consistently delivered strong results in the North American retail and Away From Home businesses.”

The North American Zone was established last year when Kraft combined its U.S. and Canadian businesses, subsequently creating three commercial units: Taste, Meals, and Away From Home; Fresh, Beverages, and Desserts; and Canada and North American Coffee. Last month the company announced three new executive appointments for the North American leadership team, including Helen Davis as SVP and head of North America operations; Rebecca Dunphey as SVP and president of fresh, beverages and desserts; and Simon Laroche as SVP, president of Canada and North America coffee.

On the company’s second quarter earning’s call earlier this month, the North American Zone reported a 1% year-over-year increase in organic net sales. Of its U.S. business, 65% of North American sales come from the Primal Kitchen, Heinz, Philadelphia, Kraft Mac and Cheese and Lunchables brands, with Kraft focusing on growing share even further. Under Abrams-Rivera the division focused on brand reinvention, helping iconic decade old brands become relevant to a new generation of shoppers. Other efforts have also included going deeper into plant-based products as well as launching successful overseas brands in the U.S.

“Carlos has shown consistency and excellence in execution,” Jack Pope, lead director of the board, said in the release. “Carlos’ leadership in transforming North America with innovative partnerships, tech-enabled solutions and developing and attracting world class talent will serve the Company well into the future.”

At February’s Consumer Analyst Growth New York Conference (CAGNY), Abrams- Rivera told attendees that the North American Zone team was focused on increasing the pace of innovation and improving the effectiveness of its sales and marketing efforts. Under his tenure, the company has “renovated nearly all” of its brands, he noted. He cited Lunchables as a successful example of these efforts, which included new branding, improving nutritionals and incorporating recyclable packaging.

“We follow a brand designed value approach. With a focus on the consumer first, we eliminate product attributes that don’t matter to them and we add attributes that are important to them,” Abrams-Rivera told analysts. “We then connect with consumers with better quality, better presentation and better marketing. Now these renovations have strengthened our brands, improved the top line and generated growth.”