Introduction: A Leadership Change at a Global Chocolate Giant

Barry Callebaut AG, the Swiss‑based chocolate and cocoa processor known for supplying ingredients to major global brands and artisans alike, recently announced a significant leadership change that drew attention from investors and industry watchers around the world. The company’s board appointed Hein Schumacher as the new chief executive officer (CEO), effective January 26, 2026, succeeding Peter Feld, who has led the company since April 2023. This transition comes at a pivotal moment for Barry Callebaut, which is navigating a challenging environment marked by volatile cocoa prices, shifting demand, strategic transformation efforts, and the ongoing impacts of global economic conditions. Schumacher’s arrival signals a new chapter in the company’s efforts to stabilize performance, strengthen customer relationships, and chart a path toward long‑term growth.

Peter Feld’s Tenure and Transformation Efforts

Before the recent leadership change, Peter Feld served as CEO of Barry Callebaut, bringing to the role extensive international executive experience from companies like Jacobs Holding AG, GfK, and WMF Group. Appointed in April 2023, Feld was tasked with leading Barry Callebaut through a broad transformation program known internally as BC Next Level, aimed at simplifying operations, improving agility, and enhancing competitiveness in a complex market environment. During his tenure, he steered the company through a period of unprecedented volatility in cocoa prices, which had surged due to poor harvests in West Africa and other supply disruptions, exerting pressure on costs and consumer demand. Although the company Barry Callebaut CEO made progress on internal restructuring and operational discipline, persistent market headwinds and strategic challenges ultimately set the stage for a leadership transition.

Who Is Hein Schumacher?

Hein Schumacher, the incoming CEO, brings to Barry Callebaut a long track record of leadership in the food and consumer goods sectors. Most recently, he served as CEO of Unilever from 2023 until 2025, where he led strategic initiatives to sharpen the company’s brand focus and create shareholder value. Prior to his tenure at Unilever, Schumacher held key leadership positions at Royal FrieslandCampina, including CEO and CFO roles, building deep expertise in both business‑to‑consumer (B2C) and business‑to‑business (B2B) operations in global food markets. Chairman Patrick De Maeseneire described Schumacher as a seasoned and decisive leader whose experience aligns with Barry Callebaut’s integrated cocoa and chocolate business model, positioning him to guide the company in its next phase of growth.

Strategic Priorities Under New Leadership

Schumacher takes the helm with a mandate to refocus Barry Callebaut on customer engagement, financial strength, and cultural renewal as the company emerges from its internal transformation programme. One of the key strategic priorities will be enhancing the company’s resilience to market volatility, particularly in cocoa supply and pricing, which has historically affected profitability and operational planning. By drawing on his experience in navigating complex consumer markets and delivering shareholder value, Schumacher is expected to strengthen relationships with major customers — including food manufacturers and artisanal chocolatiers — while also exploring opportunities for innovation and growth. Analysts see this leadership change as timely, citing the need for a different skill set to capitalize on market opportunities and restore investor confidence amid challenging industry dynamics.

Industry Context and Broader Challenges

Barry Callebaut operates in an industry deeply influenced by global supply chain trends, commodity price movements, and changing consumer preferences. Cocoa beans — the fundamental raw material for chocolate — remain subject to climate impacts, crop disease, and yield fluctuations in key producing regions like West Africa. In addition, demand patterns vary across regions, with some markets experiencing slower growth than expected. The company’s performance in recent quarters has reflected these pressures, with reported declines in sales volumes even as revenue responded to price effects. Amid these challenges, the leadership transition underscores the importance of agile and forward‑looking management capable of navigating geopolitical and economic uncertainty while safeguarding long‑term competitiveness.

Conclusion: Leadership for a New Era

The appointment of Hein Schumacher as Barry Callebaut’s CEO marks a significant moment in the company’s history, bringing experienced leadership to a firm at the crossroads of industry headwinds and growth potential. Building on the groundwork laid by Peter Feld and guided by a renewed strategic vision, Schumacher’s role will be critical in shaping the company’s future direction — balancing operational resilience, customer focus, and innovation in a rapidly evolving global market. As one of the world’s largest cocoa and chocolate producers, Barry Callebaut’s leadership decisions will continue to influence not only its own performance but also broader trends within the food and confectionery sectors.