Orozco, Diageo CPO to lead Procurement at Kraft-Heinz NA

The Kraft Heinz Company has appointed Janelle Orozco to the role of Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), North America. The company says Orozco will "shape the overall vision of North America Procurement and direct its continued transformation to become a best-in-class procurement organisation".

Orozco joins Kraft Heinz from Diageo, the multinational producer, distributor and marketer of spirits and beer products, where she spent 20 years, working her way up to CPO.

She began as an ingredients buyer at Diageo and worked progressively through the global procurement function, landing leadership roles, which saw her leading brand change and innovation.

Orozco was appointed as CPO in May 2019, and "led a significant and successful transformation of the procurement function, while improving collaboration of suppliers and delivering enhanced digital and innovation solutions", the company says. She was responsible for managing £5bn in spend and leading a global team of 400 people.

Orozco to transform Kraft-Heinz procurement function

At Kraft Heinz she will serve as a key member of the North America leadership team, reporting to both Carlos Abrams-Rivera, Executive Vice President & President, North America Zone and Marcos Eloi, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Procurement Officer.

“We are on a quest to create a procurement function built to deliver competitive advantage for the business,” said Abrams-Rivera. “Janelle joining our team is a marker of the transformation of this function. She brings a knack for developing diverse, high-performing teams.”

Since 2020, Kraft Heinz has been seeking to transform its growth profile and strategic focus, by adopting a 'consumer-first' approach, and investing significantly in digital solutions and customer relationships.

Orozco is just one of numerous senior leaders hired by Kraft Heinz in the past two years to further these goals. Other hires have come in marketing, sales, insights, research & development, human resources, and communications.

Orozco says of herself on LinkedIn: "I am known for spotting and developing diverse talent, building high-performing teams and driving positive change. My strengths are curiosity, empathy, and driving collaboration. I am passionate about diversity and inclusion, and creating an environment where people can contribute fully and feel empowered to be their best selves."

ABOUT KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

Kraft Heinz reported 2021 net sales of approximately US$26bn, across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. It says of itself: "As global citizens, we're dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways."