What Procurement Leadership Change Means for Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz has confirmed Marcos Eloi Lima, who has served as Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer since September 2019, is stepping down after six years with the company. 

In his place, Janelle Aydin will take over leadership of the global procurement and sustainability function, bringing experience from both Kraft Heinz’s North America division and her long tenure at Diageo.

The changeover represents an exciting time for Kraft Heinz as it opens up the opportunity for business transformation.

A final farewell

Announcing his departure on LinkedIn, Marcos wrote: "After six unforgettable years at Kraft Heinz, the time has come for me to turn the page on this incredible chapter.

"I feel deeply proud of the transformation we've led in procurement, one that has only been possible because of the incredible team behind it. Together, we've built something special: a globally connected, high-performing and purpose-driven function that delivers for the business while building a more sustainable future.

“None of it would have been possible without the passion, resilience, and collaboration of the teams across the globe. Thank you for your trust, your partnership and the impact we've created together.

"Thank you to Kraft Heinz for the opportunity to grow, to lead and to be part of such a transformative journey. I will carry this experience and the people who made it so meaningful, with me always."

Marcos has been a key figure in aligning procurement with Kraft Heinz’s sustainability objectives, integrating supplier relationships, cost management and environmental targets into a single operational strategy. 

The approach has helped connect sourcing decisions to both business performance and corporate responsibility goals.

An experienced procurement leader

Marcos confirmed that Janelle Aydin, formerly Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer for North America, would be taking on the procurement and sustainability leadership mantle.  

He stated: "As I step away, I do so with full confidence in the future of this team under the leadership of Janelle Aydin. 

“Janelle is a strong, visionary leader who brings deep expertise, integrity and empathy to everything she does. The team is in the best hands with Janelle."

Janelle joined Kraft Heinz in 2023 after three years as CPO at Diageo, where she spent almost 20 years working in procurement and supply chain leadership roles. 

Her career has been marked by integrating supplier networks across regions, streamlining category management and embedding sustainability practices into purchasing frameworks.

Building on a global procurement platform

Reacting to her appointment, Janelle wrote: "I am thrilled to take on the role of Global Chief Procurement & Sustainability Officer at Kraft Heinz and join the incredible team in Amsterdam.

"I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Marcos for his exceptional leadership over the past six years. His dedication and vision have paved the way for continued success, and I look forward to building on that foundation."

She outlined her priorities in the role, stating: "As a leader, my focus is on driving procurement excellence, amplifying business impact and nurturing collaborative relationships with our stakeholders.

"Since joining Kraft Heinz in 2023, I have had the privilege of witnessing our North America teams thrive and achieve remarkable milestones. On a global level, I am eager to accelerate our progress, propel our sustainability strategy forward and cultivate diverse, high-performing teams that drive results.

"Thank you to the entire Kraft Heinz community for the warm welcome. I can't wait to embark on this journey together."

For Kraft Heinz, the leadership change represents continuity as well as an opportunity to further integrate its procurement and sustainability operations across all markets. 

With supply chain resilience, supplier collaboration and cost efficiency remaining top priorities in the food sector, Janelle inherits a platform that has been shaped to balance efficiency with long-term environmental commitments.