United Natural Foods Inc. has announced leadership updates intended to help execute its strategy, which is focused on adding value for customers and suppliers while improving effectiveness and efficiency.
The changes, which take effect Aug. 3, include Matteo Tarditi becoming president and COO, with responsibility for Providence, Rhode Island-based UNFI’s product sales organizations, enterprise customer relationships, supply chain operations, technology and lean implementation.
Tarditi currently serves as president and CFO. Bringing sales, operations and technology together under his leadership is expected to better align UNFI’s operational execution with its customers’ growth strategies, according to the company.
Louis Martin will serve as chief commercial officer, focused on accelerating UNFI’s commercial strategy and capabilities, including conventional and natural merchandising, supplier partnerships and services, private brands, professional and digital services and revenue growth management.
Martin and his team will continue developing value-added programs, services, data and insights to help customers and suppliers differentiate and achieve profitable growth.
Alfredo Luchini will join UNFI as CFO. He previously served as VP of finance and CFO for Carrier Climate Solutions Americas, leading the finance function for an $11 billion business segment of Carrier Global Corp.
Luchini brings global finance experience across complex organizations, including leadership roles in transformation, integration and financial planning.
“These moves reflect the strength of our team and our commitment to aligning our leadership structure with the next chapter of UNFI’s value creation strategy,” said CEO Sandy Douglas.
“Matteo, Louis and Alfredo each bring unique capabilities that will help us strengthen execution, create more value for our customers and suppliers and continue building a more effective, efficient and sustainable UNFI.”
As part of the changes, Mark Bushway, president of natural, organic, specialty and fresh products and UNFI chief supply chain officer, will leave the company Jan. 1. Until then, Bushway will serve as chief supply chain officer and work with Tarditi to ensure a smooth transition.
“Throughout Mark’s 23-year career at UNFI, he has strengthened our supply chain and taken great pride in developing strong leaders across our business,” Douglas said. “We thank Mark for his enduring contributions and look forward to continuing our journey to build UNFI’s next generation supply chain under Matteo’s leadership.”
Tarditi, Martin and Luchini will report to Douglas as members of the company’s senior leadership team, alongside Danielle Benedict, chief human resources officer; David Best, president and CEO of retail; Bushway; Matt Echols, chief corporate affairs officer; Mahrukh Hussain, general counsel and corporate secretary; and Mario Maffie, CIO.
UNFI is a North American grocery wholesaler providing natural, organic, specialty, fresh, conventional and private label products to some 30,000 retail locations.
The company supports independent, regional and national grocers with access to products from thousands of established and emerging suppliers, delivered through a scaled, technology-enabled distribution network.