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Food and beverage giant the Swiss conglomerate stated it will cut 16,000 roles within the coming 24 months, as the recently appointed chief executive Philipp Navratil advances a strategy to concentrate on products offering the “highest potential returns”.

The Swiss company needs to “change faster” to stay aligned with a evolving marketplace and embrace a “results-oriented culture” that refuses to tolerate ceding ground to competitors, said Mr Navratil.

He replaced ex-chief executive the previous leader, who was let go in September.

The layoff announcement were disclosed on Thursday as Nestlé shared improved performance metrics for the initial three quarters of 2025, with higher product movement across its primary segments, such as beverages and confectionery.

The biggest consumer packaged goods firm, Nestlé owns hundreds of brands, like well-known names in coffee and snacks.

Nestlé plans to get rid of twelve thousand professional jobs alongside 4,000 further jobs across the board over the coming 24 months, it said in a statement.

These job cuts will cut costs by the corporation approximately 1bn SFr (£940m) per annum as a component of an ongoing cost-savings effort, it confirmed.

Nestlé's share price was up 7.5% soon after its trading update and job cuts were announced.

Mr Navratil stated: “We are fostering a corporate environment that welcomes a results-driven attitude, that will not abide competitive setbacks, and where achievement is incentivized... The marketplace is evolving, and the company requires accelerated transformation.”

Such change would encompass “difficult yet essential decisions to cut staff numbers,” he said.

Market analyst Diana Radu said the announcement signalled that Mr Navratil aims to “increase openness to aspects that were previously more opaque in its expense reduction initiatives.”

The workforce reductions, she explained, seem to be an effort to “adjust outlooks and rebuild investor confidence through tangible steps.”

Mr Navratil's predecessor was terminated by Nestlé in early September subsequent to an inquiry into internal complaints that he omitted to reveal a private liaison with a direct subordinate.

The former board leader the ex-chairman brought forward his leaving schedule and left his post in the same month.

Media stated at the period that investors held accountable Mr Bulcke for the corporation's persistent issues.

Last year, an study revealed its baby formula and foods sold in developing nations included excessive amounts of sweeteners.

The research, carried out by advocacy groups, determined that in many cases, the equivalent goods available in wealthy countries had no extra sugars.

• The corporation owns hundreds of labels internationally.
• Layoffs will involve 16,000 employees over the upcoming biennium.
• Expense cuts are anticipated to amount to CHF 1 billion annually.
• Equity increased 7.5% following the announcement.