The global food giant Reveals Large-Scale 16,000 Job Cuts as Incoming Leader Pushes Expense Reduction Strategy.

Nestle headquarters Corporate Image
Nestlé stands as one of the largest food & beverage manufacturers in the world.

Global consumer goods leader Nestlé stated it will remove 16,000 roles within the coming 24 months, as its new CEO the company's fresh leader pushes a plan to concentrate on products offering the “most lucrative outcomes”.

The Swiss company has to “change faster” to stay aligned with a evolving marketplace and adopt a “performance mindset” that does not accept losing market share, according to the CEO.

His appointment followed former CEO the previous leader, who was terminated in September.

The job cuts were revealed on Thursday as Nestlé reported better sales figures for the first three-quarters of 2025, with higher product movement across its key product lines, encompassing coffee and sweets.

The world's largest consumer packaged goods company, Nestlé operates numerous brands, among them Nescafé, KitKat and Maggi.

The company intends to eliminate twelve thousand white collar jobs alongside 4,000 other roles company-wide over the coming 24 months, it stated officially.

These job cuts will save the consumer goods leader about CHF 1 billion annually as part of an continuous efficiency drive, it confirmed.

Nestlé's share price was up seven and a half percent soon after its performance report and layoff announcement were announced.

Nestlé's leader commented: “We are cultivating a organizational ethos that embraces a performance mindset, that will not abide market share declines, and where winning is rewarded... The world is changing, and the company requires accelerated transformation.”

This transformation would involve “difficult yet essential decisions to cut staff numbers,” he said.

Financial expert Diana Radu said the update suggested that the new CEO seeks to “bring greater transparency to areas that were previously more opaque in its expense reduction initiatives.”

The job cuts, she noted, appear to be an initiative to “adjust outlooks and restore shareholder trust through concrete measures.”

The former CEO was terminated by the company in early September following a probe into whistleblower allegations that he omitted to reveal a private liaison with a direct subordinate.

The former board leader Paul Bulcke accelerated his exit timeline and resigned in the corresponding timeframe.

Media stated at the period that shareholders held accountable Mr Bulcke for the company's ongoing problems.

Last year, an investigation revealed its baby formula and foods available in developing nations included excessive amounts of sugar.

The analysis, conducted by non-profit organizations, established that in several situations, the same products sold in developed nations had no added sugar.

  • The corporation manages numerous labels internationally.
  • Job cuts will involve 16,000 workers throughout the next two years.
  • Savings are anticipated to total 1bn SFr annually.
  • Share price rose 7.5% after the news.
Marc Simmons
Marc Simmons

Tech journalist and analyst with a passion for uncovering emerging trends and their impact on society.