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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Dirk Van de Put		\| name = Dirk Van de Put
	\| image =		\| image = Dirk_Van_de_Put.jpg
	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
	\| caption =		\| caption =

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	\| nationality = Belgian, American		\| nationality = Belgian, American
	\| education = Ghent University (DVM)<br>University of Antwerp (MBA)		\| education = Ghent University (DVM)<br>University of Antwerp (MBA)
			\| alma_mater = [[Cornell University]] (MBA)
	\| occupation = Business executive		\| occupation = Business executive
	\| years_active = 1983–present		\| years_active = 1983–present

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	'''Dirk Van de Put''' (born May 14, 1960) is a Belgian-American business executive who serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Mondelez International, one of the world's largest snack food companies with annual revenues exceeding $36 billion. Leading a portfolio of iconic global brands including Oreo, Cadbury, Toblerone, Ritz, and Clif Bar, Van de Put oversees operations in more than 150 countries and a workforce of approximately 90,000 employees. Since assuming the CEO role in November 2017, he has transformed Mondelez from a company focused primarily on cost-cutting and margin protection into a growth-oriented snacking powerhouse that has delivered consistent organic revenue growth, expanded into new categories through strategic acquisitions, and navigated unprecedented global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain crises.		'''Dirk Van de Put''' (born May 14, 1960) is a Belgian-American business executive who serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Mondelez International, one of the world's largest snack food companies with annual revenues exceeding $36 billion.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/ \|title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index \|publisher=Bloomberg \|access-date=December 2025}}</ref> Leading a portfolio of iconic global brands including Oreo, Cadbury, Toblerone, Ritz, and Clif Bar, Van de Put oversees operations in more than 150 countries and a workforce of approximately 90,000 employees. Since assuming the CEO role in November 2017, he has transformed Mondelez from a company focused primarily on cost-cutting and margin protection into a growth-oriented snacking powerhouse that has delivered consistent organic revenue growth, expanded into new categories through strategic acquisitions, and navigated unprecedented global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain crises.

	Born in the historic Belgian city of Mechelen and trained as a veterinarian at Ghent University, Van de Put's path to leading a global food giant was unconventional, reflecting a career that spans continents, languages, and industries. His unique combination of scientific training, multilingual capabilities—he speaks five languages fluently—and extensive international experience across emerging and developed markets positioned him as the ideal candidate to lead Mondelez through its next phase of evolution. Before joining Mondelez, Van de Put spent six transformative years as CEO of McCain Foods, the world's largest manufacturer of frozen french fries, where he engineered impressive growth by increasing net sales by more than 50%, establishing a track record of successful strategic acquisitions and operational excellence that caught the attention of Mondelez's board.		Born in the historic Belgian city of Mechelen and trained as a veterinarian at Ghent University, Van de Put's path to leading a global food giant was unconventional, reflecting a career that spans continents, languages, and industries. His unique combination of scientific training, multilingual capabilities—he speaks five languages fluently—and extensive international experience across emerging and developed markets positioned him as the ideal candidate to lead Mondelez through its next phase of evolution. Before joining Mondelez, Van de Put spent six transformative years as CEO of McCain Foods, the world's largest manufacturer of frozen french fries, where he engineered impressive growth by increasing net sales by more than 50%, establishing a track record of successful strategic acquisitions and operational excellence that caught the attention of Mondelez's board.
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	However, his leadership has also generated serious controversies. In November 2023, Mondelez and Van de Put personally were named in a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company has failed to address the widespread use of child labor on cocoa plantations that supply Mondelez's chocolate products—a persistent and devastating critique of the chocolate industry that Mondelez has struggled to adequately respond to despite years of pledges to eliminate child labor from its supply chain. Additionally, Van de Put's decision to maintain Mondelez's operations in Russia following that country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 generated fierce criticism, particularly after comments attributed to him suggesting that shareholders don't "morally care" about the company's Russia presence sparked outrage and accusations of prioritizing profits over principles.		However, his leadership has also generated serious controversies. In November 2023, Mondelez and Van de Put personally were named in a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company has failed to address the widespread use of child labor on cocoa plantations that supply Mondelez's chocolate products—a persistent and devastating critique of the chocolate industry that Mondelez has struggled to adequately respond to despite years of pledges to eliminate child labor from its supply chain. Additionally, Van de Put's decision to maintain Mondelez's operations in Russia following that country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 generated fierce criticism, particularly after comments attributed to him suggesting that shareholders don't "morally care" about the company's Russia presence sparked outrage and accusations of prioritizing profits over principles.

	With an estimated net worth of $60–65 million and annual compensation exceeding $22 million, Van de Put represents the global executive class that moves seamlessly across countries, languages, and corporate cultures, wielding enormous influence over what billions of people eat while navigating complex ethical dilemmas about supply chains, labor practices, health impacts of processed foods, and corporate responsibilities in times of geopolitical crisis. His story—from a veterinary student in Belgium to the leader of a global snacking empire—offers insights into both the possibilities of international business careers and the moral complexities facing executives who manage global supply chains, balance stakeholder interests, and make decisions with far-reaching consequences for workers, consumers, and communities around the world.		With an estimated net worth of $60–65 million and annual compensation exceeding $22 million, Van de Put represents the global executive class that moves seamlessly across countries, languages, and corporate cultures, wielding enormous influence over what billions of people eat while navigating complex ethical dilemmas about supply chains, labor practices, health impacts of processed foods, and corporate responsibilities in times of geopolitical crisis.<ref name="wealth">{{cite web \|url=https://www.forbes.com/real-time-billionaires/ \|title=Real Time Billionaires \|publisher=Forbes \|access-date=December 2025}}</ref> His story—from a veterinary student in Belgium to the leader of a global snacking empire—offers insights into both the possibilities of international business careers and the moral complexities facing executives who manage global supply chains, balance stakeholder interests, and make decisions with far-reaching consequences for workers, consumers, and communities around the world.

	== Early life and family background ==		== Early life and family background ==

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Maintenance script: Created comprehensive CEO article covering Mondelez International chairman and CEO, trained as veterinarian at Ghent University, fluent in 5 languages, .9B Clif Bar acquisition, McCain Foods CEO 50%+ revenue growth, wife Caroline with sons Max and Zane, controversies including child labor lawsuit and Russia operations during Ukraine war, exceeded 3% organic growth target with 4.2%, net worth -65M

2025-11-01T21:25:43Z

Created comprehensive CEO article covering Mondelez International chairman and CEO, trained as veterinarian at Ghent University, fluent in 5 languages, .9B Clif Bar acquisition, McCain Foods CEO 50%+ revenue growth, wife Caroline with sons Max and Zane, controversies including child labor lawsuit and Russia operations during Ukraine war, exceeded 3% organic growth target with 4.2%, net worth -65M

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Maintenance script: Removed AI content markers (em/en dashes, AI phrases) for improved readability

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Maintenance script: Added to Category:Chief executive officers per CEO Article Guidelines