Carlos Abrams-Rivera, current U.S. Zone president, will lead the newly formed North America Zone.
The Kraft Heinz Co., headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, said it will combine its U.S. and Canada businesses to create the North America Zone, which is expected to be effective in the second fiscal quarter of 2022. The move is meant to advance the food and beverage company’s long-term 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. The company’s U.S. and Canada businesses accounted for approximately 80% of its 2020 consolidated net sales.
In the last 12 months, Kraft Heinz has taken multiple steps to transform its overall growth profile, strategic focus and financial flexibility, including divesting certain assets in its global cheese and nuts businesses. The company said it has also centered its business around a consumer-first approach, significantly investing in its portfolio, digital solutions, customer relationships and people.