(BRK.A), (BRK.B)
As The Kraft Heinz Company continues to rebuild its business momentum with a focus on driving business growth through consumer-first marketing, innovation and people development, CEO Miguel Patricio today announced that Carlos Abrams-Rivera will join his Senior Leadership Team as the new U.S. Zone President.
Effective Feb. 3, 2020, Abrams-Rivera will lead all U.S. business operations, the company’s largest business.
Since officially stepping into the CEO role in July 2019, Patricio also has served as interim President of the U.S. Zone, in addition to his global duties.
“The U.S. represents the majority of our company’s overall business, so this is an enormously important role. I have every confidence that Carlos is the visionary leader we need to drive the U.S. business forward at this moment of transformation,” said Patricio. “Carlos has successfully implemented a strategic approach to reinvigorating brands and has a strong track record of growing businesses with a consumer-first focus to consistently drive strong business results.”
“I am honored to step into the role of U.S. Zone President and look forward to working closely with Miguel and the strong, capable senior leaders he’s assembled at Kraft Heinz,” said Abrams-Rivera. “I’m also very excited to bring my consumer insights passion to drive growth for so many world-class brands, many of which are already very familiar to me.”
A native of Puerto Rico, Abrams-Rivera, 52, will join the company after a successful career spanning more than two decades at companies including Campbell Soup Company, Mondelēz International, and Kraft Foods.
Abrams-Rivera joined Campbell in 2015 and most recently served as Executive Vice President and President, Campbell Snacks, a new division that represents nearly 50 percent of Campbell’s annual sales.
Previously, Abrams-Rivera was President of Campbell’s Pepperidge Farm subsidiary, where he improved the results of this iconic business, driving consistent profitable growth.
His roles at Mondelēz International from 2012-2015 included President of Gum & Candy for Mondelēz Latin America; President, Mondelēz Mexico; Senior Vice President, Global Beverages; and Senior Vice President, Marketing and Strategy for Developing Markets.
Abrams-Rivera began his career at Kraft Foods and held numerous roles from 1998 to 2012, including Senior Vice President, Marketing and Strategy for Developing Markets; Vice President, Nabisco Savory Snacks; and Vice President, Global Biscuits Brands. He also led the development of iconic brands in Cheese, Enhancers, Frozen Pizza, and Oscar Mayer businesses.
© 2020 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.