Heinz chief quits after three months
HJ Heinz’ European retail chief, Nigel Clare, has quit the grocery giant following a global restructure.
It is not known whether Clare has another job to go to. He was unavailable for comment as Marketing Week went to press.
Clare was only appointed chief executive of Heinz’ European retail division in February this year (MW February 1), after a management reshuffle aimed at streamlining global operations. The company is now focusing on regional leadership and local focus.
Clare was previously head of European grocery, before his promotion to overseeing retail. He reported to Dave Williams, president of Heinz Europe and Africa.
Clare was also named temporary area director for the UK and Ireland in February, but that position was handed to company veteran Peter Bowen in May.
Bowen has worked at Heinz for more than 20 years, and has held positions in all of the company’s core categories.
General manager of corporate marketing and communications Eric Salamon has also retired from the company within the past month. Salamon, who previously worked at Polycell, Trebor Bassett and Mars, was appointed general manager in charge of beans, pasta and ketchup by Heinz in 1990.