Heineken will cut up to 6,000 jobs worldwide and temper its outlook for profit growth in 2026, the brewer said, as beer makers grapple with weak demand, cost-conscious consumers and unsettled global conditions.
The world’s No. 2 brewer by market value said the reductions, to be carried out over the next two years, represent nearly 7% of its 87,000-person workforce. The productivity drive is expected to unlock savings and narrow the company’s focus on markets and categories with stronger growth prospects.
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A spokesman told Ireland’s RTÉ News the job cuts will be implemented over two years but did not provide details on how specific facilities across Europe would be affected. Heineken employs more than 400 people in Ireland, most at its brewery in Cork. Its brands in the market include Heineken, Heineken 0.0, Birra Moretti, Coors, Orchard Thieves, Murphy’s and Beamish.
“We really do this to strengthen our operations and to be able to invest in growth,” Chief Financial Officer Harold van den Broek said on a media call announcing annual results. He said a portion of the reductions will be concentrated in Europe and in non-priority markets offering fewer long-term opportunities. Other cuts will flow from previously announced initiatives affecting Heineken’s supply network, head office and regional business units.
The restructuring lands as the Amsterdam-based group searches for a new chief executive after the surprise January resignation of Dolf van den Brink. The outgoing CEO, who steps down in May, offered no update on the search for a successor.
Across the sector, sales momentum has slowed as household budgets remain under pressure and geopolitical turbulence weighs on confidence. Beer makers, including Heineken and rival Anheuser-Busch InBev, also face structural headwinds in key markets tied to changing drinking habits, growing health concerns about alcohol and the rise of weight-loss drugs that have dampened consumption.
Heineken said it now expects slower profit growth in 2026 of 2% to 6%, compared with 4% to 8% guidance for 2025. Even so, the company reported forecast-beating annual organic operating profit for 2025, up 4.4% versus analyst expectations of 4%.
The brewer of Heineken, Tiger and Amstel framed the job cuts as part of a broader productivity and efficiency push meant to protect margins while channeling investment into brands, innovation and faster-growing regions. Management signaled it would continue to prioritize premiumization and low- and no-alcohol lines, which have outperformed in several markets as consumers trade down or cut back.
The move underscores how Europe has become a pressure point for global brewers. Volumes have been hit by cooler weather during key selling periods, tax and regulatory changes in certain countries, and a more cautious consumer. Van den Broek indicated that Heineken will be more selective about its footprint and cost base on the continent while safeguarding marketing behind its flagship labels.
Investors have pressed beer makers to accelerate cost savings and reshape portfolios as volume growth proves elusive. Executives at several companies have pointed to prioritizing cash generation, disciplined pricing and targeted innovation to stabilize performance and support dividends in a tougher backdrop.
Heineken did not disclose expected one-time charges tied to the workforce reduction. The company said the program is designed to deliver recurring savings that will phase in over the next two years, with the goal of preserving flexibility to invest in markets and categories with the highest returns.
The latest guidance sets a more cautious tone for 2026 as Heineken navigates shifting consumer behavior and a CEO transition. The brewer said it remains confident in its long-term strategy and its ability to balance cost control with selective growth spending amid a slower industry cycle.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
