Barry Callebaut AG has announced the appointment of Hein Schumacher as its next chief executive officer, effective January 26, 2026, marking a leadership transition as the world’s largest chocolate manufacturer nears the completion of a multi-year transformation program. Schumacher will succeed Peter Feld, who is set to leave the company after nearly three years in the role.
The Zurich-based group said Feld’s departure follows the impending completion of “BC Next Level,” a company-wide transformation initiative launched to simplify operations, strengthen financial discipline and improve agility amid an exceptionally challenging market environment. Feld will remain available during the transition period to support the handover and ensure continuity, particularly around the final stages of the program.
Barry Callebaut’s board framed the change as a natural inflection point rather than a reaction to performance issues. Feld joined the company in April 2023 with a mandate to steer the group through structural change at a time of mounting external pressures. His tenure coincided with what the company has described as a “perfect storm” for the cocoa and chocolate industry, including record-high cocoa bean prices, volatile commodity markets, geopolitical disruptions and shifting customer demand.
During this period, Barry Callebaut focused on cost discipline, portfolio prioritisation and operational streamlining. While the company has faced margin pressure and volume softness in parts of its business—largely reflecting broader industry dynamics—the board credited Feld with laying the groundwork for a more resilient operating model.
“With the upcoming completion of BC Next Level, the Board and Peter decided that now is the right time for a CEO transition,” said Chairman Patrick De Maeseneire, signaling that Feld’s exit aligns with the conclusion of the transformation phase rather than a change in strategic direction.
The appointment of Schumacher suggests the board is now shifting its emphasis from restructuring to renewed growth and customer focus. Schumacher brings more than 25 years of experience in the global food sector, with leadership roles spanning both consumer-facing and B2B businesses. Most recently, he served as CEO of Unilever from 2023 to 2025, where he led a strategy centered on prioritising core brands and higher-value segments. Prior to that, he was CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina, guiding the dairy cooperative through periods of commodity price volatility, the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant restructuring effort.
Schumacher’s background also includes senior roles at HJ Heinz in Asia Pacific and China, as well as earlier positions at Unilever, giving him deep exposure to emerging markets, ingredients-based businesses and large-scale operational transformations—areas closely aligned with Barry Callebaut’s integrated cocoa and chocolate model.
Analysts and industry observers have noted that Barry Callebaut is entering a new phase. Cocoa markets remain tight and prices elevated, but the company has largely completed the internal restructuring needed to operate under these conditions. The board’s choice of a CEO with a strong track record in growth execution and portfolio management points to a focus on restoring momentum while maintaining financial discipline.
In a statement, Schumacher said he sees the company at “an exciting juncture,” acknowledging ongoing market pressures while highlighting opportunities to return to growth, strengthen company culture and improve overall performance.
Feld, for his part, characterised the transition as a planned handover, noting that most elements of BC Next Level are already in place. “It is a good time to pass the baton,” he said, adding that the company’s future is well positioned under new leadership.
Barry Callebaut did not announce Feld’s next role, stating only that he will pursue other career opportunities. The company emphasised continuity, with Feld supporting the transition until Schumacher formally assumes the role early next year.
