Schnucks Markets has announced that Kim Gray will lead the company’s merchandising team as chief merchant, succeeding Ryan Cuba, who will become the company’s first chief growth officer.
Gray brings to Schnucks more than 20 years of merchandising and leadership experience across fresh, center store and e-commerce category management. She previously held senior merchandising roles at Ahold Delhaize USA, Hannaford Supermarkets and Food Lion.
As Schnucks’ chief merchant, Gray will lead and provide a strategic vision for merchandising strategy, category management, procurement, assortment, pricing, promotions and supplier diversity.
“Kim steps into this role ready to lead thanks to her depth of category management leadership in fresh and center store, her experience in e-commerce and her keen eye for merchandising,” said Ted Schnuck, EVP of supermarkets.
“Her passion for developing talent as well as for serving customers positions her for success as she returns to the Midwest for this leadership role with Schnucks.”
During her tenure at Hannaford Supermarkets, Gray held leadership roles with the United Way of Southern Maine and was honored by her colleagues with the John J. Russell Award for Excellence for innovative thinking, integrity and employee development.
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With 19 years at Schnucks – the last four as chief merchant – Cuba takes the helm as Schnucks’ first chief growth officer, overseeing the teams responsible for strategic planning, acquisitions, business development, real estate, store design, construction and maintenance. Prior to his post as chief merchant, Cuba held leadership roles at Schnucks in store operations and business development.
“With his cross-functional retail experience and understanding of our business from merchandising to store operations, Ryan is the ideal leader to step into this role as we position Schnucks for growth,” said David Bell, EVP and chief financial and administrative officer.
“He was responsible for a number of successful moments in our company’s history, including the sale of our pharmacy business to CVS as well as the integration of 19 Shop ‘n Save stores.”
Both Gray and Cuba begin their new roles on Sept. 2 and will be members of the company’s strategy team, the team of executives who lead the overall direction and execution of the company.
