Heineken to Cut 6,000 Jobs Amid Declining Beer Demand

Heineken announced plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs globally over the next two years, representing nearly 7% of its workforce, as the Dutch brewer faces falling demand for beer. The company, known for brands such as Heineken, Amstel, and Tiger, cited challenging market conditions as the driving force behind this decision. With a total workforce of 87,000, the job cuts will impact both brewing and white-collar roles. In light of this news, Heineken has also revised its profit growth forecasts for 2026 downward, indicating a slower expected growth rate of between 2% and 6% this year, compared to the 4.8% growth predicted for 2025. The decline in beer volumes is significant, with a reported 12% drop last year compared to the previous year, putting additional pressure on the company amid increasing competition and changing consumer behaviors. Heineken's head of finance, Harold van den Broek, explained that these job cuts are essential to strengthen operations and enable future investments in growth. Some of the job losses will occur in Europe, while others will be tied to measures affecting the supply network, head office, and regional business divisions. This announcement comes shortly after the unexpected resignation of Chief Executive Dolf van den Brink, who will leave the position in May after six years. Van den Brink faced mounting pressure to boost Heineken's growth and efficiency, particularly as investors criticized the company for lagging performance. The cuts, aimed at enhancing productivity and unlocking significant savings, have positively influenced Heineken's share price, which rose by as much as 4% in Amsterdam, reaching its highest level in over six months. Investors have welcomed the news, viewing the cost-cutting measures as necessary steps toward stabilizing the business. As Heineken seeks a successor for van den Brink, the new CEO will inherit several tough decisions that have already been set in motion, with the pressure on to reinvigorate the iconic beer brand amid a challenging market environment. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2