Heinz UK hunts heads for two new grocery units

Heinz UK is hunting for two new managers for its biggest division, grocery products.

The executives will run the new canned goods and soups sectors as part of an ongoing restructure.

The grocery products division – which accounts for about 60 per cent of Heinz UK’s 600m turnover – is to be split into three commercial groups to focus further on retailers.

Caretaking managers are in charge of the soups group and canned goods group, which covers baked beans, pasta meals and puddings.

The bottled goods group, which includes products such as tomato ketchup and salad cream, is now run by internal appointee Eric Salamon. Heinz UK is advertising internally and externally for the other posts.

The two new executives will be responsible for sales, trade marketing, product development and finance. They will answer to Nigel Clare, divisional director Grocery Products. Robert Bailey, sales and marketing director for the grocery division, also reports to Clare.

A Heinz UK spokesman says: “The creation of the new commercial groups is a logical step.”

A year ago, incoming managing director Malcolm Ritchie created three divisions – grocery products, frozen and chilled Weight Watchers, and infant feeding.