Kraft Heinz Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., opened the Global Centre of Excellence at the Zuidas in Amsterdam, and will move the head office from Benelux to Amsterdam as well.

“There are brilliant talents here. From the best universities in the world. Experts in specialisms such as media buying, manufacturing, supply chain, revenue management and operations. Here, the Kraft Heinz of the future is shaped. Through smart innovations. By introducing the best practices worldwide. With this center, we want to outline the contours of the food industry 3.0,” says Rafa Oliveir, zone president of Kraft Heinz EMEA. In total, the office accommodates 450 employees.

The Amsterdam office is Kraft Heinz’ largest office location in the Europe, Middle East and Africa Zone, housing 450 employees. Together, with its R&D and culinary center in Nijmegen and its Elst factory, The Netherlands is home to over 800 Kraft Heinz employees.

“It is not just that the Netherlands that is the growth engine of Kraft Heinz,” adds Oliveira. “Our ties go back to 1958 with the acquisition of our factory in Elst to build the largest ketchup factory in Europe. Our local brands such as Honig, Venz, Karvan Cévitam, Roosvicee and De Ruijter are much beloved local brands and give us roots as far back as 1860. Moreover, our second largest innovation center in the world is located in Nijmegen.”

Since Amsterdam is in the central time zone, it can cover the globe from its new tech office. For instance, it’s just 10 minutes from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and international flight connections and is neighbors with the VU University and the University of Amsterdam.

“Our dynamic Kraft Heinz culture is grounded in ownership and meritocracy,” says Oliveir. “Our CEO Benelux is just 32 years old and has grown in our organization from within moving across different countries and departments like finance, sales and category. Brilliant talents who share our dream and find new ways to growth and success. Talented students who want to be part of the Champions League of the multinationals are at the right address. That is why we have been working together with the Business School of the VU for some time to discover the pearls that will contribute to the further growth of Kraft Heinz.”