Kraft Heinz Unveils New Leadership Team
In the latest step toward its soon-to-be-completed merger, the proposed Kraft Heinz Co. revealed the members of its new senior leadership team.
"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 company that will combine Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods and Pittsburgh-based H.J. 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."
Effective upon the close of the merger transaction, The Kraft Heinz Co. senior leadership team will include the following members:
- Paulo Basilio is appointed EVP and chief financial officer. Basilio joined Heinz in June 2013 as CFO. He is responsible for all the finance functions and the investor relations area.
- Matt Hill is appointed zone president of Europe. Hill has been zone president of Heinz Europe since June 2013. Prior to his current appointment, Hill was president of Heinz UK and Ireland. He joined Heinz in 2010 as chief marketing officer for Heinz UK.
- Emin Mammadov is appointed zone president of Russia, India and Middle East, Turkey and Africa. Mammadov joined Heinz in 2006 as marketing director for Heinz Russia and has been president of RIMEA since 2013.
- Michael Mullen is appointed SVP of corporate and government affairs. He will be responsible for leading internal and external communications, CSR and government affairs. He will also have responsibility for the company foundation, real estate and facilities. Mullen joined Heinz in 1998.
- Eduardo Pelleissone is appointed EVP of global operations. In this role, 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.
- Marcos Romaneiro is appointed zone president of Asia Pacific. Romaneiro has been zone president of Heinz Asia Pacific since June 2014. Romaneiro joined Heinz in 2013 as SVP global finance.
- Francisco Sa is appointed zone president of Latin America. Sa joined Heinz in June 2014 as zone president of Heinz Latin America. Sa served as zone president for AB InBev's Latin America South business from 2012 to 2014.
- Jim Savina is promoted to SVP, general counsel and corporate secretary. Savina joined Kraft in 2013, serving in legal leadership positions and as chief compliance officer. In his new role, Savina will lead the company's legal function, including corporate governance and securities, transactions, regulatory, intellectual property, litigation and labor and employment.
- Melissa Werneck is appointed SVP of global human resources, performance and IT. Werneck joined Heinz in July 2013 and led Heinz's talent development and the integrated management system, which includes the management by objectives program.
- George Zoghbi is appointed COO of U.S. commercial business. In his role, Zoghbi will lead the company's more than $19 billion U.S. business comprised of five commercial business units. Zoghbi has been COO at Kraft since February 2015. He joined Kraft in 2007 as VP and area director of Australia and New Zealand.
Given the size of the combined business, Canada will now become a standalone zone reporting directly to Bernardo Hees. The president of Canada will be announced in August. Chris Kempczinski will remain with the company until September to assist the Kraft Canadian and Overseas Business transition. Chris will assist with the integration in Canada, and support the roll-out of Kraft brands outside North America. Most recently, Chris was EVP of growth and president, international.
As part of Hees' extended leadership team, the following will report to Zoghbi, head of the U.S. commercial business:
- Eduardo Luz is appointed president of the U.S. ketchup, condiments, sauces, dressings and frozen business. This includes the entire Kraft and Heinz U.S. condiments and frozen portfolio. Luz joined Heinz in June 2013 and was rapidly promoted to serve as zone president of Heinz North America.
- Joe Fragnito is promoted to president of the U.S. beverages and snack nuts business. Fragnito joined Kraft in 2000 and most recently was VP of marketing for meal combinations, including Lunchables.
- Howard Friedman is appointed president of the U.S. cheese and dairy business. Friedman joined Kraft in 1997 and most recently served as president of Kraft's U.S. cheese and dairy division. Previously he was a president in the Kraft sales organization.
- Mark Magnesen is appointed president of the U.S. meat business. Magnesen joined Kraft in 1991 and most recently served as president of the Oscar Mayer division, which includes management of Oscar Mayer and Lunchables.
- Tom Lopez is promoted to president of the U.S. meal solutions and desserts business. Lopez joined Kraft in 1999 and most recently was VP of marketing for refreshment beverages.
- David Toy is promoted to president of U.S. foodservice. Toy joined Heinz in 2008 in the finance/IT area. Most recently, Toy served as managing director of Heinz's North American Foodservice business.
- Sergio Nahuz is promoted to head of U.S. sales. Nahuz joined Heinz in July 2013 as CFO of Heinz Europe and most recently served as managing director of Heinz's U.S. consumer products business.
- Andre Maciel is promoted to head of U.S. commercial finance including U.S. budget and business planning, zero based budgeting and revenue management. Maciel joined Heinz in 2013 as the global leader of BBP and revenue management. Maciel will report dotted-line to Paulo Basilio, CFO.
- Nina Barton is promoted to SVP of marketing innovation, research and development. Barton joined Kraft in 2011 and most recently was VP of marketing for coffee.
The following individuals will remain with the company for a transition period:
- Diane Johnson May, EVP of human resources at Kraft, will leave in December after 35 years with the company. From now until December, Johnson May has agreed to work full-time as a close advisor to Bernardo Hees and Melissa Werneck.
- Tom Corley, EVP, U.S. sales at Kraft, will work with Sergio Nahuz, head of U.S. sales, during a transition period until November.
The company also announced the departures of the following Kraft executives either upon completion of the merger or within 30 days: James Kehoe, EVP and CFO; Kim K. Rucker, EVP, corporate and legal affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary; Robert Gorski, EVP, integrated supply chain; Jane Hilk, chief marketing officer and president of beverages and snack nuts; Dave Ciesinski, president of meal solutions; and Fred Paglia, president of foodservice and U.S. growth channels. As previously communicated, Chuck Davis, EVP of research, development, quality and innovation, will also be leaving the organization.