Dutch brewing giant Heineken has announced plans to cut or reassign 400 jobs at its Amsterdam headquarters as part of a major digital transformation.
The company said the restructuring aims to create a more agile organisation and make better use of technology.
According to Heineken, the move comes as it rolls out 40 new digital platforms designed to “unlock the power of data and enable faster innovation.”
Starting next year, the brewer’s head office in Amsterdam will be restructured into what it described as “a more focused strategic centre.”
Heineken said some of the affected roles would be moved to its business services unit, while others would be phased out.
Chief Executive Officer Dolf van den Brink said the decision was necessary to strengthen the company’s position in a highly competitive market.
“With a stronger, simplified, more agile organisation, we are well positioned to unlock new growth opportunities and innovation,” he said.
Heineken, the world’s second-largest brewer after AB InBev, has been under pressure following a drop in beer sales earlier this year, particularly in Europe and the United States.
In July, the firm’s shares fell after it reported lower sales in the first half of the year. Despite that, it maintained its full-year forecast of a four to eight percent rise in operating profit.
Heineken owns several well-known brands including Amstel, Kingfisher, and Savanna cider.
