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Kraft Heinz’s New CEO Is a Breakup Veteran—And He’s Been Hired for One Job

Kraft Heinz is entering a new phase of corporate transformation, marked by the unexpected replacement of CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera with food industry veteran Steve Cahillane. Set to take over on January 1, 2026, Cahillane—former CEO of Kellanova—has been brought in to steer the company through a high-stakes corporate breakup. The decision follows a tumultuous year in which Kraft Heinz struggled with weak consumption trends, operational disruptions, and strategic execution under Abrams-Rivera’s leadership. The company’s planned separation, announced earlier in 2025, involves splitting into two publicly traded entities: one focused on global taste-elevation products (such as Heinz ketchup and Philadelphia cream cheese) and another on North American grocery staples (like Oscar Mayer and Kraft Singles). Abrams-Rivera, who led the company for just one year, will step down and remain as an advisor until March.