Dive Brief:
- Kroger announced Tuesday four top executive changes, including hiring PetSmart executive Ed Oldham to serve as head of sourcing.
- Kroger said it is promoting Ann Reed, president of the grocer’s Cincinnati-Dayton division, to group vice president of Our Brands, its private label portfolio, effective Aug. 4. The grocer is also appointing Jake Cannon, currently president of the Louisville division, to replace Reed, starting Aug. 1, and tapping Josh Harpole, currently vice president of deli, bakery and prepared Foods, to succeed Cannon.
- The leadership changes continue Kroger’s recent string of promotions and hirings of top executives.
Dive Insight:
Kroger’s shuffling in its top corporate ranks comes as the grocer continues its search for a permanent CEO and is still finding its footing following the fallout of its unsuccessful bid to merge with Albertsons.
Oldham joins Kroger following three years at PetSmart, where he was senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. While at the pet supply company, he led its distribution and transportation strategy across North America and oversaw an international distribution network.
Oldham brings more than 25 years of experience in retail, CPGs and consulting to Kroger, including leadership roles at Petco, Walmart, Ernst & Young and Walgreens.
“Ed brings a wealth of knowledge from his time working at and supporting a variety of different retailers,” Ron Sargent, chairman and interim CEO of Kroger, said in a statement. “Sourcing plays a critical role in making sure we can provide lower prices to our customers every day.”
Meanwhile, Reed will bring “deep experience across our organization” to her upcoming role overseeing the grocer’s private brands portfolio, Sargent said. Reed started at Kroger as a co-manager in the Central Division in 1993 and worked her way up the company, holding positions such as store manager, category manager, director of deli and bakery, and director of Fresh Ready Meals, according to the announcement.
Reed became vice president of merchandising at Fry’s in 2010, followed by VP of merchandising at Fred Meyer in 2013 and then VP of Customer 1st Promise in 2015. Reed became Louisville division president in 2017 and has helmed the Cincinnati-Dayton division since 2022.
“[Reed] worked in divisions throughout the country getting to know how our customers want to shop and what they want to buy,” Sargent said. “Ann is bringing a great perspective on the ways we can better take advantage of the significant growth opportunities Our Brands represents for Kroger."
Like Reed, Cannon and Harpole also climbed the Kroger corporate ladder. Cannon, who has helmed the Louisville division since 2022, joined Kroger in 1999 as a produce clerk in the Smith’s division. Harpole started as a courtesy clerk in the King Soopers division in 1994, and advanced to his current position as vice president of deli, bakery and prepared foods in 2020.
Kroger has been busy this year making changes among its corporate ranks. Changes include:
- Hiring former PepsiCo Europe senior vice president and CFO David Kennerley as CFO.
- Hiring George Vincent as secretary and general counsel.
- Promoting of Yael Cosset to EVP and chief digital officer and giving him oversight of Kroger’s new e-commerce business unit.
- Appointing Kenny Kimball, Chris Albi and Kendra Doyel as president of the Smith’s banner, president of the King Soopers division and president of Food 4 Less, respectively.
Promoting Rudy DiPietro to helm the newly consolidated Dallas and Houston divisions.
