Grocery companies made a number of senior-level executive moves in September, as multiple companies reorganized their top executive ranks. The changes included Kroger’s appointment of a chief store operations officer, Albertsons’ decision to name a regional operating president for one of its newly created regions, and the appointment of a new CEO and new CFO by Stater Bros. In addition, Sprouts Farmers Market announced that its CEO will leave his position next year.
Here’s a look at some of the most significant executive-level changes that took place in the grocery industry in September.
Stater Bros. announces a string of promotions
The Southern California regional grocery chain elevated Greg McNiff to the role of CEO and president. McNiff replaced Pete Van Helden, who became executive chairman of the board after serving as CEO since 2016.
Stater Bros. also promoted Mike Reed to executive vice president and CFO, Kelvin Austin to vice president of store operations and Mani Subramanian to vice president of information technology applications.
Albertsons appoints new regional president
The grocery company named Ken Rinaldi as regional operating president of its newly formed East Region, which includes the Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s banners. Rinaldi was most recently president of the Shaw’s and Star Market banners. The change is connected with Albertsons’ decision earlier this year to adopt a new operating model that consolidated its 11 former divisions into four regions.
Kroger continues tapping former Walmart execs
The supermarket chain named Mark Ibbotson as executive vice president and chief store operations officer. Kroger’s first chief store operations officer since 2021, Ibbotson “brings decades of experience leading large-scale retail operations through periods of significant transformation,” according to the company.
Like Greg Foran, who became Kroger’s CEO earlier this year, Ibbotson formerly served as a top executive at Walmart, where he was senior vice president of innovation. Nate Faust, another former Walmart executive, assumed the role of executive vice president and chief e-commerce officer of Kroger on Sept. 1.
Sprouts names its next CEO
The specialty grocer announced that Nick Konat, its president and chief operating officer, will become CEO and join its board of directors on Jan. 4, 2027. Konat, a former Target grocery executive, will succeed Jack Sinclair, who has been Sprouts’ CEO since 2019.
Kroger Health’s president retires
Colleen Lindholz is retiring as president of Kroger’s healthcare division after working for the grocer for more than 30 years. Lindholz became president of Kroger Health in 2017 after serving as president and CEO of the Little Clinic, the supermarket company’s chain of in-store healthcare facilities. Earlier, she was Kroger’s director of pharmacy sales and marketing. Lindholz joined Kroger in 1995 as a pharmacist in its Cincinnati-Dayton unit.
Winn-Dixie names store operations chief
The Florida grocery chain named Shawn Sloan as chief of store operations. A 40-plus-year company veteran, Sloan began his career with the grocer as a bagger and served most recently as vice president of fresh merchandising.
UNFI names new head of its conventional fresh business
The grocery distribution company selected Jerry Goldsmith to oversee its conventional fresh business. Goldsmith, UNFI’s senior vice president of fresh conventional, is taking on expanded responsibilities that include unifying the grocery distributor’s meat, produce, bakery and deli groups. Goldsmith took over from Jody Barrick, who retired from her position as senior vice president of fresh meat, seafood, bakery and deli.
Harps CEO to retire
Kim Eskew will retire as CEO and chairman of the regional grocery chain on Jan. 15, 2027, after spending almost five decades with the company. He will be succeeded by President J. Max Van Hoose.
