Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has announced a new leadership and organizational structure to sharpen its focus on key operational priorities designed to better support its customers, suppliers and employees.
“We are on an aggressive path to drive shareholder value by helping to create sustainable, profitable growth with and for our customers and suppliers,” said Sandy Douglas, UNFI CEO.
“With positive momentum and a $140 billion addressable market with significant opportunities for selling more to existing and new customers, we are well positioned to attain these objectives. Our high performing, diverse leadership team, new organizational structure and value-based approach will ensure we are devoting maximum managerial talent and focus toward achieving these growth plans.”
Going forward, UNFI’s leadership team will be dedicated to four growth platforms: services, wholesale, retail, and corporate and business transformation, operating under the following leadership teams:
Services
- To achieve sales and profit growth through UNFI’s emerging brands and services divisions, Chris Testa will focus on leading the UNFI Services platform, responsible for the company’s supplier services, professional services, e-commerce and private and owned brands portfolio.
- Testa will also be responsible for working with Douglas and the senior leadership team to introduce and lead enterprise-wide growth initiatives accelerating the Fuel the Future strategy.
- This platform is a key component of the company’s goal to create compelling value for customers and suppliers by leveraging existing data and capabilities from its scaled and diversified operating business.
Wholesale
- Steve Dietz will lead UNFI Wholesale’s customer growth work, continuing to expand the company’s customer base and enhance support to existing and new customers. He will report directly to Douglas, effective Aug. 1.
- Mark Bushway will lead supply chain, transportation and safety, and Jack Clare will lead information technology. Bushway and Clare will continue to focus on standardization of systems and customer execution. Both will report directly to Douglas upon the retirement of Eric Dorne on Oct. 29.
Retail
- CUB CEO Mike Stigers will continue to lead UNFI’s owned retail division made up of its CUB and Shoppers banners, reporting to Douglas.
Corporate and business transformation
The leaders of UNFI’s corporate and transformation agenda will be focused on building capabilities for the future, value creation for our shareholders, and long-term sustainable growth for our customers and suppliers.
- John Howard – finance, accounting, tax, shared services, risk and investor relations.
- Mahrukh Hussain – legal, real estate and cyber security.
- Matt Echols – communications, environmental, social and governance, government relations and industry relations and the UNFI Foundation.
- Danielle Benedict – human resources, training, labor relations, diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Louis Martin – strategy, transformation, data and digital experience.
- Brendan Walsh – internal audit.
“Over the past six months, we’ve sped decision-making and flattened our organization, brought in outside leaders to fill new roles, and elevated and focused existing UNFI leaders to create a diverse team that is aligned and motivated to deliver on our ‘Fuel the Future’ strategy,” Douglas said.
“As a key part of the leadership plan, Chris will now be able to give his full attention to our most critical growth areas, our services and brands portfolios. I’m confident our customers and suppliers will benefit with greater value and offerings to their businesses.”
For more information, visit unfi.com.
