The Kraft Heinz Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors has appointed Carlos Abrams-Rivera as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board, effective January 1st, 2024.
Until then, Abrams-Rivera will continue as President of the North America Zone with the added responsibilities of becoming President of Kraft Heinz, effective immediately.
Abrams-Rivera will take over as CEO from Miguel Patricio, who has served as the Company's CEO since 2019 and Chair of the Board since 2022. Patricio will transition to the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board on January 1st, 2024.
As EVP and President of the North America Zone, Abrams-Rivera has successfully overseen the Company's U.S. and Canadian operations.
"Carlos is the best person to lead the next phase of the Company's transformation," said Miguel Patricio, CEO and Chair of the Board.
Patricio continued that Abrams-Rivera's strategic and innovative mindset was ideal to continue to propel Kraft Heinz forward on Kraft Heinz's path to greatness. Since joining Kraft Heinz in 2020, Abrams-Rivera has consistently delivered strong results in the North American retail and Away From Home businesses.
Abrams-Rivera's experience in both developed and emerging markets complements Kraft Heinz's ambition for growth.
Carlos Abrams-Rivera (left), and Miguel Patricio (right)
"I feel privileged to entrust Carlos with the leadership of this great company, and I am confident that Kraft Heinz is poised for more growth in the years to come."
Patricio will transition to a new role as Non-Executive Chair of the Board. In 2019 Patricio joined the company. He has led Kraft Heinz through a fundamental change in consumer trends, unprecedented business and global challenges, and consistent top and bottom-line growth periods.
"We are extremely grateful for Miguel's leadership over the past four years. He has a deep understanding of marketing and consumers, which was instrumental to the Company's turnaround," said Jack Pope, Lead Director of the Board.
Pope said the transition from Patricio to Abrams-Rivera reflected the board's thoughtful succession planning. The board is confident that the Company will continue accelerating growth, with Abrams-Rivera assuming the CEO role.
Pope added that Abrams-Rivera was an experienced leader with a long tenure in the food and beverage industry who has shown consistency and excellence in execution.
"Abrams-Rivera's 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. We look forward to continuing to work with him."
Abrams-Rivera said of his appointment that he was humbled and honoured to be appointed as the new CEO of Kraft Heinz. He thanked Patricio for his mentorship, all he had done to rekindle the spirit of Kraft Heinz and its culture, and for his partnership, now and in the future.
"I would also like to thank the Board of Directors for trusting me. Finally, to the thousands of colleagues across Kraft Heinz that have welcomed and trusted me, I am excited to go into a bright future together," said Abrams-Rivera.
