The Kraft Heinz Co. has revealed its senior leadership team as details emerge of how the company will operate after the merger of HJ Heinz and Kraft Foods Group is completed.
"Our new leadership team represents the best of the best in business with proven track records for delivering results," said Bernardo Hees, future CEO of the proposed Kraft Heinz. "I am thrilled that this world-class group of executives will join me to further strengthen our iconic brands with our industry-leading go-to-market strategies, innovation pipeline, and global infrastructure."
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By GlobalDataThe new leadership team comprises:
Chief financial officer – Paulo Basilio, who has served as Heinz CFO since it was acquired by private-equity investors Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital in 2013. He will be responsible for all finance functions and the investor relations area.
President of zone Europe – Matt Hill, who has served as zone president of Heinz Europe since June 2013, will continue to oversee the region in the enlarged group. Prior to his current appointment, Hill was president of Heinz UK & Ireland, having joined Heinz in 2010 as chief marketing officer for Heinz UK.
President of zone Russia, India and Middle East, Turkey & Africa – Emin Mammadov's responsibility for RIMEA will continue post merger. He joined Heinz in 2006 as marketing director for Heinz Russia and has been president of RIMEA since 2013.
President of zone Asia Pacific – Marcos Romaneiro, who has served in this role at Heinz since 2014, will continue in this position following the tie-up. Romaneiro joined Heinz in 2013 as SVP global finance.
President of zone of Latin America – Francisco Sa, who joined Heinz in 2014 as zone president of Heinz Latin America, will continue to be responsible for the operations in the region. Prior to joining Heinz, Sa served as president for AB InBev's Latin America South business.
Zone Canada – Due to the size of the combined business, Canada will now become a stand-alone zone reporting directly to chief executive Hees. The president of Canada will be announced in August.
Chief operating officer of US commercial business – George Zoghbi will lead the company's more than US$19bn US business comprised of five commercial business units. Zoghbi has been COO at Kraft since February 2015. Reporting into Zoghbi are:
- US ketchup, condiments, sauces, dressings and frozen – Eduardo Luz, currently president of Heinz North America, will assume responsibility for the entire Kraft and Heinz US condiments and frozen portfolio.
- US beverages & snack nuts – Joe Fragnito, who joined Kraft in 2000 and most recently was VP of marketing for meal combinations.
- US cheese and dairy – Howard Friedman, who joined Kraft in 1997 and most recently served as president of Kraft's US cheese and dairy division.
- US meat – Mark Magnesen, who joined Kraft in 1991 and most recently served as president of the Oscar Mayer division.
- US meal solutions and desserts – Tom Lopez, who joined Kraft in 1999 and most recently was VP of marketing for refreshment beverages.
- US foodservice – David Toy, who joined Heinz in 2008 in the finance/IT area. Most recently, Toy served as MD of Heinz's North American foodservice business.
EVP of global operations – Eduardo Pelleissone will have direct accountability for the company's supply chain, quality, procurement and operations functions in North America and globally. Pelleissone joined Heinz in July 2013 as head of operations.
The senior leadership team is dominated by Heinz executives and the company confirmed a number of Kraft people will be exiting the business.
The company announced the departures of the following Kraft executives either upon completion of the merger or within 30 days: James Kehoe, EVP and chief financial officer; Kim Rucker, EVP, corporate & legal affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary; Robert Gorski, EVP, integrated supply chain; Jane Hilk, chief marketing officer and president, beverages & snack nuts; Dave Ciesinski, president of meal solutions; Fred Paglia, president, foodservice and US growth channels; Chuck Davis, EVP, research, development, quality and innovation.
