Last updated on March 1st, 2024
Baldor Specialty Foods has announced several strategic hires and structural changes aimed at enhancing customer service, achieving future goals and ensuring continued growth and success.
Seth Gottlieb has joined the company as SVP of logistics, bringing more than a decade of experience from Fresh Direct, where he served as the VP of logistics and operations planning. At Baldor, Gottlieb will oversee inbound and outbound logistics, elevating efficiency from vendor deliveries to final customer touchpoints.
Andrew Howell assumes the role of SVP of operations, arriving from Upward Farms where he was EVP of operations and previously contributing 12 years at Sabra Dipping Co. Howell’s responsibilities encompass operations management across Baldor’s distribution centers, optimizing warehouse operations in major Northeast hubs.
Avisheh Avini is joining the company as Baldor’s general counsel, with significant experience in the foodservice industry from her previous role as chief legal officer at Union Square Hospitality Group and her current position as a board member of national ice cream company Salt & Straw. She will oversee all legal aspects of Baldor, including corporate transactions, commercial matters, real estate, employment and safeguarding intellectual property.
“The strength of our leadership team is paramount to our commitment of ‘quality you can trust and service that delivers’ and critical as we continue our strategic expansion,” said CEO TJ Murphy.
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve been growing our bench toward the goal of scaling our mission and vision, while continuing to provide white-glove service and radical hospitality. Seth Gottlieb, Andrew Howell, Avisheh Avini and other recent additions to senior management were hired specifically for demonstrated dedication to both operational excellence and customer satisfaction.”
Along with these hires, the company has realigned its manufacturing entities – including the Fresh Cuts division and Pierless Fish business – under COO Gene Mayer to continue to streamline processes and efficiencies for enhanced productivity.
About Baldor Specialty Foods
Beginning as Balducci’s fruit stand in Greenwich Village in 1946, Baldor Specialty Foods is a large distributor of fresh produce, specialty foods, dairy, meat and fish in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Baldor Specialty Foods services more than 13,000 food service, retail and corporate accounts from Portland, Maine, to Richmond, Virginia, and offers more than 6,000 food items.
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