Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC) named Steve Cahillane as its next chief executive officer, tapping the former Kellanova chief to guide the food giant through its planned separation into two independently traded companies.
Cahillane will take the helm on Jan. 1, 2026, succeeding Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who will remain as an advisor until early March to ensure a smooth transition.
He will also join the board and lead the newly formed Global Taste Elevation Co. following the split.
Cahillane arrives with more than three decades of consumer-packaged-goods leadership, including most recently his tenure as chairman, president and CEO of Kellanova until its acquisition by Mars.
He oversaw major brand expansions across Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts and Kellogg’s International, and he steered the former Kellogg Company through its own portfolio separation, creating Kellanova as a standalone global snacking company.
As part of the leadership reset, John T. Cahill—currently vice chair of the board and former Kraft CEO—will become board chair and continue overseeing the Separation Committee.
Miguel Patricio will remain on the board.
The company said it will launch a global search for a chief executive to lead North American Grocery Co., the second standalone business expected to emerge from the separation.