Dec 16 (Reuters) – Kraft Heinz on Tuesday named former Kellogg top boss Steve Cahillane as CEO to help spearhead the packaged goods giant’s planned split.
The company said in September it would split into two companies – one focused on pantry staples and the other on sauces and spreads.
Cahillane, 60, is set to head the latter following the spinoff, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.
Here are a few facts about the company’s incoming top boss:
IVY LEAGUE TO LAGER
Cahillane attended Harvard University, where he studied business administration and graduated in 1993. He worked at E & J Gallo Winery, before founding the State Street Brewing Company in Chicago, and an executive job at the Coors Distribution Company and later the top job at brewer Labatt USA.
In 2003, he took over the helm at Interbrew UK, a subsidiary of brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev, and was later promoted to InBev’s chief commercial officer role.
COCA-COLA YEARS
Between 2007 and 2014, Cahillane served in multiple executive roles at Coca-Cola, including heading the Europe and North American divisions of Coca-Cola Enterprises, and then served as president and CEO of Coca-Cola Refreshments.
He was also appointed president of the company’s Americas segment, followed by the CEO role at health and wellness firm The Nature’s Bounty.
KELLOGG’S SPLIT
Cahillane was named CEO of the erstwhile Kellogg Co in 2017, and oversaw its breakup, which resulted in the formation of the cereal-focused WK Kellogg and snack business-focused Kellanova in 2023.
The former was later acquired by the Italian owner of Ferrero Rocher earlier this year, while Kellanova, with Cahillane at its helm, was acquired by Candy and snacks giant Mars in a $36 billion deal.
(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva)
