KHC Kraft Heinz Company

By Michael Dabaie

Kraft Heinz Co. on Thursday outlined its 2025 diversity, inclusion, and belonging aspirations, including expanding the diversity of its supplier partners.

The company said it aims to achieve gender parity within management positions globally by 2025, increasing the representation of women in management from 37% to 50%.

Kraft said it also is working to reach demographic parity in the countries where it operates by 2025. In the U.S., where more than half its employees live, the company said it aspires for people of color to represent 30% of the salaried employee population by 2025, from its current 24%.

Kraft Heinz also unveiled a new supplier diversity program, starting with U.S. businesses that are majority-owned by people of color, women, LGBTQ-plus individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans.

"Such certified businesses will gain access to essential skills, tools, and networks through the program, giving them the opportunity to become Kraft Heinz suppliers. The program initially starts in the United States, with the goal of growing it globally," the company said.

"We want the voices within our company to reflect and represent our consumers as we innovate our products, create our marketing, and partner with customers and suppliers," Kraft Heinz Chief Executive Miguel Patricio said.

The aspirations aim to grow the company's underrepresented employees around the world and foster a more inclusive company culture, Kraft Heinz said. Currently, the Kraft Heinz executive leadership team is 30% women and 80% people of color, while members of the company's board are 18% women and 36% people of color, Kraft Heinz said.

Write to Michael Dabaie at michael.dabaie@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 14, 2021 07:49 ET (11:49 GMT)

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