Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. has named Elena Kabasinskas as group VP of strategy, planning and transformation while promoting Michael Day to SVP of strategy, business development and architecture.
Kabasinskas will oversee the business processes and change management efforts that accelerate strategies to help the cooperative meet customers’ evolving needs.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Elena to the Wakefern family,” said Joe Sheridan, president.
“She will play an important role as we look to further fuel growth across our entire business. Her deep experience in process improvement and business transformation will be pivotal as we look internally to strengthen our own operations and meet the challenges presented by a new digital world.”
Prior to joining Wakefern, Kabasinskas spent more than a decade with The Estée Lauder Companies, previously holding the position of SVP in the company’s global transformation office and special projects. Under her purview, she led strategic initiatives that drove growth, efficiency and transformational change. Prior to that role, she served as SVP of strategy, finance and business dervices, North America Region, and led financial and business operations for the cosmetics company.
In his new role as SVP, Day will spearhead Wakefern’s strategic planning across a range of business units, with responsibility for maintaining oversight of key operations including information technology, real estate, business development, member services and strategic transformation efforts. Day joined Wakefern in 1999, holding a range of positions with the company, previously serving as group VP of strategic planning, business development and retail services.
“Over his long, 23-year tenure with Wakefern, Michael’s leadership has proved to be instrumental in helping drive and steer our strategy and planning,” Sheridan said. “We’re grateful for his dedication to Wakefern and are looking forward to the impact that he will have in his new role as we improve and better serve our member companies and customers.”
From a small, local cooperative that began with eight grocery store owners, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into a large retailer-owned cooperative. Founded in 1946, it includes about 50 member families who independently own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
For more information, visit wakefern.com.
