Affiliated Foods Inc. has named Nick Carlino as its new chief operating officer, bringing more than two decades of wholesale and retail grocery experience to the Amarillo, Texas-based wholesale grocery cooperative.
Carlino joins Affiliated Foods from Merchants Distributors LLC in Hickory, North Carolina, where he spent more than 12 years in progressive leadership roles, most recently serving as EVP of sales and merchandising. In that capacity, he oversaw daily sales and merchandising operations, P&L management, performance metrics and expense control. Earlier at MDI, he led a reorganization of the marketing and merchandising division, an effort that included the relocation and reassignment of 69 employees and the introduction of a category management structure that improved sales and gross profits.
Prior to his time in wholesale, Carlino held roles at Safeway spanning store management, retail operations, corporate initiatives and category director positions before serving as VP of frozen foods.
Carlino holds an MBA in marketing from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Randy Arceneaux, CEO of Affiliated Foods Inc., welcomed Carlino to the organization.
“We are excited to add Nick to our Affiliated Family,” Arceneaux said. “Nick’s experience and enthusiasm in the grocery industry fits perfectly with our culture of helping our co-op members succeed and grow in the communities they serve.”
Carlino said he was drawn to Affiliated Foods by its commitment to the independent grocer.
“What excites me most about Affiliated Foods Amarillo is that the mission continues. Independent grocers remain the backbone of countless communities, and I am honored to join an organization that shares a deep commitment to helping them thrive,” he said.
Carlino, his wife Lydia and their son Mason have relocated to Amarillo, while their daughter Maleah resides in Boone, North Carolina, where she attends Appalachian State University.