Nestlé Begins European Job Cuts as Part of Global 16,000 Reduction Announced in October 2025
Introduction
Nestlé, the Switzerland-based multinational food and beverage company, has started cutting jobs across its European operations. These cuts are part of a larger global reduction of 16,000 positions that CEO Philipp Navratil announced in October 2025. So far, the total number of job losses in five European countries—France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Italy—is more than 1,400.
Main Body
The global reduction plan was announced by Navratil shortly after he became CEO in September 2025, replacing Laurent Freixe, who left the company after breaking its code of conduct. The restructuring aims to save SFr1 billion (about $1.2 billion) per year by the end of 2027. The job cuts will take place over two years, with 12,000 positions removed from white-collar roles and 4,000 from manufacturing. In France, Nestlé confirmed that it will cut 180 jobs in research and development (R&D) and support functions. The company explained that the decision was due to a "difficult food market with pressure on consumer spending, rising production costs, and increased competition." The R&D centres in Tours and Lisieux will be affected. Nestlé stated that the cuts are intended to "simplify and digitise the organisation, increase flexibility and efficiency, and adapt structures to changes in the business portfolio, in order to become more competitive and support investments." The company has started an information and consultation phase with employee representatives, with a gradual implementation planned to begin in 2027. Nestlé indicated that the net reduction could be lowered to between 75 and 100 jobs by using existing vacancies, new positions, internal transfers, and early retirement options. For the United Kingdom, Nestlé did not give an official number for planned cuts or specify locations. However, the GMB union claimed that the number is more than 450, with most affecting staff and managers at Nestlé sites in York and Gatwick. A Nestlé spokesperson for the UK repeated that the global reduction of 16,000 roles is ongoing and that any changes would be managed in consultation with affected employees, refusing to provide further details at this time. In Germany and Spain, according to media reports, approximately 300 job cuts are expected in each country, while Italy will see 185 reductions. A Nestlé headquarters spokesperson stated that the plans announced in several European countries are part of the business transformation and workforce reduction communicated in October 2025, and that no further updates are available as consultation processes are still ongoing in many places.
Conclusion
The implementation of Nestlé’s European job cuts is moving forward through discussion phases in multiple countries, with the total confirmed and reported reductions now more than 1,400 positions. The company has not yet announced the final numbers for all affected markets, as negotiations with employee representatives continue. The restructuring is a key part of Nestlé’s strategy to save costs and improve operational efficiency by 2027.