Pittsburgh, PA, and Chicago, IL—The Kraft Heinz Company on Wednesday announced that it will combine its US 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 intended to advance the company’s long-term growth plans by bringing increased agility to its innovation agenda, operations, and go-to-market approach.
The company’s US and Canada businesses accounted for approximately 80 percent of its 2020 consolidated net sales.
Kraft Heinz’s new North America Zone will be led by Carlos Abrams-Rivera, currently US Zone president. Abrams-Rivera 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 US food service and ingredient businesses. Easy Meals Made Better includes, among other products, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Kraft Dinners.
—Fresh, Beverages and Desserts will be led by Steve Cornell, currently president-Enhancers, Specialty and Away From Home, and includes the Fast Fresh Meals, Easy Indulgent Desserts, Real Food Snacking, and Flavorful Hydration consumer platforms. Fast Fresh Meals includes, among other products, Philadelphia Cream cheese, Kraft Singles and Kraft Deli Deluxe, while Real Food Snacking includes, among other products, Portable Protein Pack and Lunchables.
—Canada and North America Coffee will be led by Adam Butler, currently president-Kids, Snacks, and beverages.
Kraft Heinz has also announced the appointment of Robert Scott as president of research and development-North America, effective Wednesday. Scott joins Kraft Heinz from Abbott Nutrition, where he most recently served as divisional vice president of global product development.
Long-time company executive Bruno Keller, currently Canada Zone president, will assume the position of president of Latin America.
