The Kraft Heinz Company is consolidating its US and Canada businesses to create the “North America Zone,” which is expected to take effect in the second quarter of fiscal 2022. These two accounted for approximately 80% of the food titan’s 2020 consolidated net sales. 

This “evolved model” is expected to help the North America Zone pilot new products, processes and service innovations, backed by the resources of the two countries, while also increasing its speed to market.

“As consumer, customer and employee needs change, we must be in a position to anticipate, adjust and respond with speed,” remarks Miguel Patricio, CEO of Kraft Heinz. 

“Combining our US and Canada businesses – two dynamic zones – gives us a distinct advantage and will produce faster, more effective results so we can continue investing in our strategic plan and drive sustainable growth.

As a result of the restructuring, Kraft Heinz’s new North America Zone will be led by Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who is currently US Zone president.The move is meant to advance the food titan’s sustainable growth plans – which were first outlined at its Investor Day event in September 2020 – by “bringing increased agility” to its innovation agenda, operations and go-to-market approach.

Strategic restructuring
Over the past 12 months, Kraft Heinz has been transformingits overall growth profile, strategic focus and financial flexibility, including divesting certain assets in its global cheese and nuts businesses.

As a result of the restructuring, Kraft Heinz’s new North America Zone will be led by Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who is currently US 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, who is currently president of Latin America, and includes the Taste Elevation and Easy Meals Made Better consumer platforms as well as the US foodservice and ingredient businesses.
• Fresh, Beverages and Desserts will be led by Steve Cornell, currently president of Kraft Heinz’s Enhancers, Specialty and Away From Home segments, and includes the Fast Fresh Meals, Easy Indulgent Desserts, Real Food Snacking and Flavorful Hydration consumer platforms.
• Canada and North America Coffee will be led by Adam Butler, currently president of Kids, Snacks and Beverages.

The company also appointed Robert Scott as president of Research & Development – North America.

Long-time company executive Bruno Keller, currently Canada Zone President, will become president of Latin America.

“While this is an evolution to our structure, it is part of a broader revolution in how we will work at Kraft Heinz going forward,” Patricio concludes.