Kraft Heinz names CEO before split
The company has announced Steve Cahillane as its leader.
The Kraft Heinz Co., parent company of Jet-Puffed and other brands, has announced Steve Cahillane as chief executive officer of the company, effective Jan. 1, 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 Jan. 1 and serve as an advisor to the company until March 6, 2026.
“I am honored to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time,” says Cahillane. “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," he finishes.
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 Inc. During his time at the helm of Kellanova, Cahillane reportedly led the company through a period of transformative growth, overseeing the expansion of the company’s global brand portfolio, including Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg’s International, and other brands. He also led Kellogg Co. through the separation of its North American cereal business and the launch of Kellanova.
“Steve is uniquely qualified to lead this organization into the future, and we are delighted he will be taking on the role of CEO. His track record and experience in the industry are unparalleled and will be invaluable as we embark on this next chapter,” says Miguel Patricio, chair of the board, Kraft Heinz. “On behalf of the Board and everyone at Kraft Heinz, we are incredibly grateful to Carlos for his many contributions to the Company, serving not only as CEO but in other critical leadership roles. Carlos helped transform the company into a more agile and innovative organization and laid the groundwork for the upcoming separation. We are excited about the road ahead for Kraft Heinz.”
As part of the leadership transition, John T. Cahill, vice chair of Kraft Heinz’s Board, who previously served as CEO of Kraft prior to the combination with Heinz, will become board chair. Cahill will continue to lead the board’s separation committee, which he has led since its formation earlier this year. Miguel Patricio will continue to serve as a board member of Kraft Heinz. The board will also initiate a global search for a CEO to lead North American Grocery Co.
“I want to express the board’s deep gratitude to Miguel for stepping in to help prepare the company and leadership team for the proposed separation. With this transition, he will now be able to focus on his many other commitments, while continuing to serve on the board of Kraft Heinz,” Cahill says. “I look forward to taking on the role of chair as we usher in an exciting new era for the company, with Steve Cahillane at the helm.”
Steve Cahillane
Cahillane served as CEO of Kellanova, previously Kellogg Co., from October 2017 until it was acquired by Mars, Incorporated in December 2025. Prior to Kellogg, in 2014, Cahillane assumed the role of president and chief executive officer at The Nature’s Bounty Co., the largest global pure-play manufacturer, marketer and specialty retailer of health and wellness products. Prior to Nature’s Bounty, Cahillane spent seven years with The Coca-Cola Co., most recently as president of Coca-Cola Americas, the global beverage maker’s largest business with $25 billion in sales. Prior to Coca-Cola, he spent eight years with AB InBev.
Cahillane serves on the Northwestern University Board of Trustees, the Smithsonian National Board, and the Colgate-Palmolive Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.
Planned company separation
Following a thorough evaluation of potential strategic transactions, Kraft Heinz announced in September that it was separating into two standalone companies: Global Taste Elevation Co. and North American Grocery Co.
The separation is designed to maximize Kraft Heinz’s capabilities and brands while reducing complexity, allowing both new companies to more effectively deploy resources toward their distinct strategic priorities. Kraft Heinz currently expects the transaction to close in the second half of 2026.
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