HJ Heinz to eliminate 600 jobs in North America

American food company HJ Heinz has announced plans to eliminate 600 jobs across its operations in the US and Canada, as part of its efforts to support growth while further strengthening its leading brands.

This development comes after the sale of the company to an investment consortium comprised of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and private equity firm 3G Capital, in a deal worth $28bn earlier this year.

All the layoffs, which represent 9% of the company’s workforce in North America, are white collar jobs.

Approximately 350 jobs will be eliminated in Pittsburgh where the company plans to remain headquartered.

Heinz senior vice president Michael Mullen said that the layoffs are part of a review of the company’s operations.

"After a comprehensive evaluation process, the company has developed a new, streamlined structure for Heinz North America," Mullen said.

"Our new organisational structure will simplify, strengthen and leverage the company’s global scale, while enabling faster decision making, increased accountability, and accelerated growth," he added.

Heinz stated that it will offer enhanced severance packages and outplacement services to the affected employees.

Following the job cuts, Heinz will still employ about 800 people in the Pittsburgh region and 6,000 across North America.

HJ Heinz is a global company that produces and markets foods specialising in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition.

Its brands include Heinz Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods, Ore-Ida potato products, Weight Watchers Smart Ones entrées, TGI. Friday’s snacks, and Plasmon infant nutrition.

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Image: Following the proposed job cuts, Heinz will still employ about 800 people in the Pittsburgh region and 6,000 across North America. Photo courtesy of H. J. Heinz Company.