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The Kraft Heinz Company

Packaged Foods and CondimentsFounded 2015
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Leadership History

Kraft Heinz: CEO History

4 leaders · 2015 to present

Who is the CEO of Kraft Heinz?

Steve Cahillane is the CEO of Kraft Heinz, in the role since 2026. The first chief executive was Bernardo Hees, from 2015.

Current CEO
Steve Cahillane (since 2026)
First CEO
Bernardo Hees (2015)
Leaders documented
4
Founded
2015
NameRoleFromToYears in role
Steve CahillaneChief Executive Officer2026Present< 1
Carlos Abrams-RiveraChief Executive Officer202420251
Miguel PatricioChief Executive Officer201920234
Bernardo HeesChief Executive Officer201520194
Who was CEO of Kraft Heinz before Steve Cahillane?
Carlos Abrams-Rivera was CEO of Kraft Heinz from 2024 to 2025, before Steve Cahillane took over in 2026.

Company Overview

Kraft Heinz is one of the largest packaged-food companies in North America, co-headquartered in Pittsburgh and Chicago. It makes pantry and refrigerator staples rather than trend-led health foods: Heinz ketchup and sauces, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Philadelphia cream cheese, Oscar Mayer, Lunchables, Velveeta, Capri Sun, and Maxwell House coffee. After a decade defined by the 2015 merger, the 2019 write-down, and a 2025 plan to split the company, it is now trying to rebuild volume by investing in those brands under CEO Steve Cahillane. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Steve Cahillane

Chief Executive Officer

2026 – Present

0 years (current)

Key Decisions & Impact

Became CEO on January 1, 2026 after leading Kellogg Company and Kellanova from 2017 through Mars's acquisition of Kellanova. In February 2026 he paused the planned separation and committed about $600 million of incremental investment in marketing, R&D, sales, and pricing, raised to about $700 million in August 2026.

Legacy

Shifted the company's priority from structural change to rebuilding volume in its core brands; first-half 2026 sales declines narrowed and 2026 guidance was raised.

Source →

Carlos Abrams-Rivera

Chief Executive Officer

2024 – 2025

1 year

Key Decisions & Impact

Led the company from January 2024, organized the portfolio around Taste Elevation, Easy Ready Meals, and Hydration & Snacking, and oversaw the September 2025 decision to pursue a split into two companies.

Legacy

Managed the business through continuing volume declines and the 2025 impairments before handing over to Steve Cahillane.

Source →

Miguel Patricio

Chief Executive Officer

2019 – 2023

4 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Joined from AB InBev after the 2019 write-down, increased marketing investment, and sold Planters to Hormel and most of the natural cheese business to Lactalis to reduce debt.

Legacy

Stabilized the balance sheet and moved the company away from strict zero-based budgeting; he later served as board chair.

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Bernardo Hees

Chief Executive Officer

2015 – 2019

4 years

Key Decisions & Impact

3G Capital partner and former Heinz CEO who led the merged company and its zero-based budgeting and plant consolidation program.

Legacy

Delivered early margin gains, but the 2019 impairment and SEC investigation came under his leadership and he was replaced in June 2019.

Source →

Challenges & Strategic Context

Kraft Heinz's main challenge is volume. Organic volume/mix fell 2.6 percentage points in Q2 2026 even as pricing rose 1.3 points, showing that shoppers continue to trade down to private label and buy fewer center-store staples. Repeated non-cash impairments, including a $7.4 billion charge in Q2 2026 after the impairment-driven FY2025 loss, show that the carrying value of brands bought or merged in 2015 still exceeds what they now earn. Management also cites reduced SNAP benefits as a roughly 100-basis-point headwind to 2026 organic sales, while GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, ultra-processed food scrutiny, and artificial-dye regulation add pressure on products such as Lunchables, Kraft Mac & Cheese, and Kool-Aid. Commodity and tariff costs are squeezing margins: Q2 2026 gross margin fell 200 basis points to 32.4%.

Kraft Heinz CEO and Leadership FAQ

Who is the Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Heinz Company?

Steve Cahillane has been CEO of Kraft Heinz since January 1, 2026, succeeding Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who held the role from January 2024 through 2025.

Who was Miguel Patricio and what turnaround did he lead at Kraft Heinz?

Miguel Patricio, a former AB InBev executive, was CEO from 2019 to 2023. He increased marketing investment, sold Planters and most of the natural cheese business, and reduced debt after the 2019 write-down.

Who was Bernardo Hees and what was his role as the post-merger CEO?

Bernardo Hees served as the first CEO of The Kraft Heinz Company from 2015 to 2019. A key partner at 3G Capital and former CEO of Burger King and Heinz, Hees implemented aggressive zero-based budgeting and cost consolidation following the 2015 merger.

Who serves as Chief Financial Officer of Kraft Heinz?

Andre Maciel has served as global chief financial officer, overseeing finance, treasury, accounting, and investor relations.

What role does 3G Capital play in Kraft Heinz's governance today?

None. 3G Capital reduced its stake after 2019 and had fully exited by 2023, leaving Berkshire Hathaway as the largest shareholder.

Who was Irene Rosenfeld and how did she shape Kraft Foods before the merger?

Irene Rosenfeld served as CEO of Kraft Foods from 2006 to 2012, leading the $19.5 billion hostile takeover of Cadbury in 2010 before orchestrating the 2012 corporate split that separated Kraft Foods Group (North American grocery) from Mondelez International (global snacks).

How does Warren Buffett evaluate Kraft Heinz's management and history?

Warren Buffett publicly acknowledged that while Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital 'overpaid' for Kraft Foods in the 2015 merger, Kraft Heinz remains a wonderful business with exceptional consumer brand loyalty and high cash generation.

What strategic priorities has CEO Steve Cahillane set for Kraft Heinz?

Cahillane paused the planned split, committed about $700 million of incremental 2026 investment in marketing, R&D, sales, and pricing, and set a goal of returning Kraft Heinz to volume-led, profitable growth.

Who is the CEO of Kraft Heinz?

Carlos Abrams-Rivera serves as CEO, taking over in 2024. He replaced Miguel Patricio, who was brought in to save the company after the disastrous tenure of Bernardo Hees. Hees (a partner at 3G Capital) was highly criticized for executing the brutal, hyper-aggressive cost-cutting strategy that artificially boosted short-term profits while massively destroying the long-term health of the brands.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.