HUNT VALLEY, MD. — McCormick & Co. has unveiled the operating model and executive team it plans to put in place after closing its $44.8 billion deal to acquire the food business of Unilever PLC.
McCormick said it aims to reorganize into four commercial divisions that would be the reportable segments of the combined company following the completion of the transaction, expected in mid-2027.
Two geographic units, Americas Consumer and International Consumer, would encompass the retail business for herbs, spices, seasonings, cooking aids, condiments and sauces. Americas Consumer would have annual sales of $8 billion (based on 2025 figures) across North, Central and South America. International Consumer would have an estimated $7 billion in annual sales across the rest of the world, including the EMEA and APAC regions. Plans call for Andrew Foust to lead the Americas Consumer division and Heiko Schipper the International Consumer division, with both holding the title of executive vice president and president.
A third division, Global Food Service, would provide flavor products to restaurants and other food-away-from-home operators. McCormick noted that the division would pair Unilever’s expertise in back-of-house foodservice and chef-to-chef culinary capabilities with McCormick’s know-how in brand-driven, front-of-house foodservice. Global Food Service, with an estimated $4 billion in annual sales, would be led by Nuria Hernandez as executive vice president and president.
Finally, the Global Flavor division would offer customized specialty flavors, seasonings, condiments and coatings to global food, beverage and consumer health companies, and restaurant chains. With estimated annual sales of $2.5 billion, it would be led by Suzanne Roy as executive vice president and president.
“Our planned operating model is designed to place consumers and customers at the center of the combined business, enabling disciplined execution, enhanced innovation and sustainable long-term growth, while supporting a rewarding employee experience,” said Brendan Foley, chairman, president and chief executive officer of McCormick. “Our anticipated executive team will bring together proven leaders from both McCormick and Unilever Foods, from a diverse set of backgrounds and skill sets, and with deep knowledge of our brands, categories, customers and geographies, positioning us well to capitalize on our expanded global platform, realize expected synergies and create value for all stakeholders.”
After the deal is finalized, Foley and Marcos Gabriel, executive vice president and chief financial officer of McCormick, would retain their current titles for the combined company, whose global headquarters would be in Hunt Valley and international headquarters in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The Hellmann’s and Knorr brands represent approximately 70% of Unilever Foods’ sales.
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McCormick also announced six C-suite function leaders for the combined business to be based across its global and international headquarters: Tabata Gomez as chief growth and global marketing officer, Jennifer Han as chief supply chain officer, Guy Peri as chief information and digital officer, Sarah Piper as chief human resources officer, Jeff Schwartz as chief legal officer and Heike Steiling as chief R&D officer. All would also hold the title of executive vice president.
In addition, McCormick said the combined company’s integration management office would remain in place, with its own senior leadership team — led by chief integration officer Foust — to oversee the execution of key integration goals by each commercial division. The office would manage exits from transition services agreements (TSAs), which the company said can last up to 24 months after the transaction closes, as well as oversee the development of synergies and a unified organizational culture.
McCormick said it will retain its primary stock listing on the New York Stock Exchange but seek a secondary listing and admission of its shares on the London Stock Exchange when the acquisition closes. The company noted the secondary stock listing in Europe would reflect the global nature of Unilever’s current shareholder base in the combined company.
McCormick announced the Unilever food business acquisition at the end of March amid industry buzz that a potential deal between the companies was brewing. The Unilever Foods product roster includes flavoring and cooking aids, condiments, sauces and other food products, led by brands like Knorr and Hellmann’s, which account for about 70% of sales. McCormick’s current lineup includes brands such as McCormick, French’s, Frank’s RedHot, Stubb’s, Old Bay, Lawry’s, Zatarain’s, Ducros, Vahine, Cholula, Schwartz, Kamis, DaQiao, Club House, Aeroplane, Gourmet Garden, Fona and Giotti.