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After a nearly year-long wait, the largest supermarket operator in the U.S. now has a permanent leader at its helm.

Kroger announced Monday that it hired former Walmart executive Greg Foran as CEO. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Sunday.

In announcing Foran’s appointment, which took effect immediately, Kroger noted that he has experience leading major businesses through periods of transformation, growth and digital adoption — areas that are key for Kroger as it finds its footing after its failed attempt to merge with Albertsons. 

Foran is taking on the chief executive role at the storied grocer, which dates back to the 1800s, as it pushes to improve e-commerce, digital innovation and store performance.

With four decades of experience, Foran brings a lot to the table as Kroger’s leader. Here’s a look at his career:

Foran’s career kicked off when he was a teen

At the age of 17, Foran got a job working as a shelf-stacker at Australia-based grocer Woolworths, according to his biography. Three years later, he became manager of one of the chain’s locations. His quick ascension at Woolworths set a precedent for the rest of his career.

He has experience across five countries

After holding senior leadership positions at Woolworths, Foran jumped to Walmart in 2011, where he led several of the company’s international divisions. In 2012, he became president and CEO of Walmart China. He held those same positions for Walmart Asia in 2014 and then for Walmart U.S., also starting in 2014.

In February 2020, he became CEO of Air New Zealand — a position he held until last October.

He’s forged a strong reputation around store operations

During his roughly six years at the helm of Walmart U.S., Foran helped revive the company’s growth by “raising in-store standards, sharpening operational discipline and elevating the end-to-end customer experience,” according to his biography written by Kroger. 

He also played a key role in Walmart’s efforts to use its brick-and-mortar store fleet as a way to scale e-commerce. “By aligning tools, processes and training, he helped integrate online and in-store operations to improve fulfillment speed and overall customer experience,” his bio noted. 

On the labor front, Kroger noted that Foran “championed meaningful wage increases” at Walmart and launched Walmart Academy, an in-house training program for associates on leadership, technical skills and operational efficiency. This program aims to reduce turnover and help prepare workers for future jobs, his biography noted. 

Foran joined Air New Zealand at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and helmed the company during a turbulent time for the travel industry. “Leading with visibility and decisiveness, he guided the airline through its most challenging period, stabilizing operations, advancing a digital transformation, and positioning the company for long-term recovery,” according to his biography.

Foran is Kroger’s 12th CEO

Over its 142 years in business, Kroger has had 11 CEOs, with Foran joining as its 12th. 

Most of the company’s chief executives have stayed in the role for about a decade, including its most recent leader, Rodney McMullen, who abruptly exited in March after an ethics investigation found that he had violated the company’s code of conduct. 

He’s the first external hire for Kroger’s top role

Foran is Kroger’s first CEO without prior experience at the grocer — giving him a fresh set of eyes on the supermarket company’s operations.

Foran is joining Kroger at a time when the grocery company has been busy naming new division heads. These included new presidents of the grocer’s Cincinnati-Dayton, Louisville and Central divisions and new heads of the Smith’s banner, as well as King Soopers & City Markets.

Kroger currently has over 11 million customers, more than 400,000 workers and nearly two dozen store banners.