Heinz spices up senior leadership

PITTSBURGH — Following the acquisition of Heinz by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital, the company has announced a new senior leadership team.

“Notably, this announcement demonstrates the power and potential of meritocracy at work here at Heinz,” said Heinz CEO Bernardo Hees. “As shown through today’s various internal promotions and appointments, the company is focused on rewarding and promoting the best and brightest talent in the organization to lead Heinz moving forward. I am thrilled that this world-class group of executives will join me in taking Heinz to new heights while elevating our iconic global brands, offering superior customer service and ensuring that we continue to work collaboratively and efficiently across our global businesses.”

Paulo Basilio will be the company’s CFO. He is a partner at 3G Capital and previously served as CEO of America Latina Logistica from 2010 to 2012, after having served as ALL’s COO, CFO, commercial officer and analyst.

Kristen Clark has been appointed SVP and chief people officer. In this role, she will direct the worldwide human resources function. Most recently, Clark served as president of Heinz Canada. Previously she was chief strategy officer at world headquarters. Formerly, Clark served as the group VP of meals and snacks for Heinz North America. Prior to joining Heinz, Kristen worked at Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson in marketing and sales. Kristen joined Heinz in 2000. She will report temporarily to Hees until the open position of EVP of HR, IT and performance is named.

Brendan Foley has been appointed zone president of Heinz North America. Foley was most recently president of U.S. consumer products. While at Heinz, he has held various positions including marketing director of global ketchup and sauces, president of U.S. food service and group VP of marketing for frozen meals and snacks for U.S. consumer products. Prior to joining Heinz, he worked at General Mills in marketing for four years, and before that, he spent eight years in advertising. Foley joined Heinz in 1998.

Matt Hill has been appointed zone president of Heinz Europe. For the past year, Hill was president of Heinz U.K. and Ireland. Matt joined Heinz as CMO for the U.K. and Ireland business after spending 17 years at Unilever in a variety of U.K., European and global marketing roles. In 2011, he was promoted to chief commercial officer of the U.K. and Ireland with responsibility for day-to-day business operations. Hill joined Heinz in 2010.

Andy Keatings has been appointed chief quality officer. He will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality in all of Heinz’s products globally. He will also be responsible for global risk assessment and management, ensuring consistent product performance globally and driving continuous improvement. Keatings joined Heinz in 1994. He will have a dotted-line reporting relationship to the chairman of the board of directors.

Emin Mammadov has been appointed zone president of Heinz Russia, Turkey and Middle East and Africa. Mammadov most recently served as president, Heinz Africa and Middle East, where he focused on accelerating Heinz’s growth in the emerging markets. Mammadov joined Heinz as marketing director for Heinz Russia and has since held the roles of commercial director, Heinz Russia, followed by an assignment in China as managing director, Heinz foodstar and Heinz sauces. Prior to joining Heinz, Mammadov spent more than eight years at Procter & Gamble mostly in Turkey and other emerging markets. He joined Heinz in 2006.

Michael Mullen will continue his role as SVP of corporate and government affairs. Mullen is responsible for all global internal and external communications, government affairs and corporate reputation management. He will continue to serve as the company’s chief media spokesperson and will have responsibility for the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation. Mullen joined Heinz in 1998.

Eduardo Pelleissone joins Heinz as EVP of operations following 14 years with America Latina Logistica, where he most recently served as CEO. Previously he held the roles of COO, managing director and GM of agricultural products. Before joining ALL, Pelleissone held several positions at Glencore Importadora e Exportadora SA. He will have responsibility for supply chain, procurement and operations.

Fernando Pocaterra has been appointed zone president of Heinz Latin America. Since 2005, Pocaterra has been area director of Heinz Latin America. Previously, he was president of Heinz Venezuela and COO of Heinz Italy. Prior to joining Heinz, Pocaterra worked for four years in the marketing department at Procter & Gamble in Venezuela. He is a 32-year Heinz veteran.

Hein Schumacher is appointed zone president of Heinz Asia Pacific. Schumacher has been president of Heinz China since 2011. Previously, he held positions including VP of finance for Heinz Europe, chief strategy officer for Heinz WHQ, VP of business process improvement for keystone and CFO of Heinz Continental Europe. Before Heinz, Schumacher worked across various countries for both Royal Ahold and Unilever. He joined Heinz in 2003.

Dan Shaw is appointed general counsel. Shaw has been deputy general counsel since 2009. He will be responsible for all legal affairs globally, including but not limited to mergers and acquisitions, securities law, finance transactions, litigation and general commercial and regulatory matters. Shaw is a 32-year Heinz veteran.

Exiting the company will be Ted Bobby, EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary; Dave Ciesinski, VP of transition; Steve Clark, SVP, chief people officer; Ed McMenamin, SVP, finance; David Moran, EVP, president and CEO of Heinz North America and global infant nutrition; Meg Nollen, SVP of strategy and investor relations; Bob Ostryniec, SVP, chief supply chain officer and global ERM; Chris Warmoth, EVP, Heinz Asia Pacific; Dave Woodward, EVP, president and CEO of Heinz Europe; Roel van Neerbos, president, Heinz Continental Europe; and Diane Owen, SVP, corporate audit.

“I sincerely thank these superb executives for their leadership and numerous contributions to Heinz’s growth and success, and I wish them well in the future,” added Hees.