United Natural Foods announced today a new organizational structure to better support customers, suppliers, associates, and the environment. The Fuel the Future strategy includes transitioning the company to work around the following four growth platforms: services, wholesale, retail, and corporate and business transformation.
“We are on an aggressive path to drive shareholder value by helping to create sustainable, profitable growth with and for our customers and suppliers,” said UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas, in a statement. “With positive momentum and a $140 billion addressable market with significant opportunities for selling more to existing and new customers, we are well positioned to attain these objectives. Our high-performing, diverse leadership team, new organizational structure, and value-based approach will ensure we are devoting maximum managerial talent and focus toward achieving these growth plans.”
Chris Testa, who has been with the company in leadership roles for many years, will spearhead the services platform, which includes professional services, ecommerce, and the private and owned brands portfolio.
Steve Dietz, chief customer officer, will champion the wholesaler’s customer growth strategy, expanding the customer base and enhancing support. Mark Bushway, chief supply chain officer, will lead supply chain, transportation, and safety operations, and Jack Clare, chief information officer, will continue to drive IT. Both Bushway and Clare will collaborate on system standardization and customer execution.
In the corporate and business transformation space, the agenda will ship to building out capabilities for the future, as well as long-term sustainable growth.
In addition to these changes, UNFI is recruiting leaders to accelerate growth in areas of the business such as investor relations, finance, workplace and food safety, and digital strategy.
“Over the past six months we’ve sped decision-making and flattened our organization, brought in outside leaders to fill new roles, and elevated and focused existing UNFI leaders to create a diverse team that is aligned and motivated to deliver on our Fuel the Future strategy,” said Douglas, in a statement. “As a key part of the leadership plan, Chris [Testa] will now be able to give his full attention to our most critical growth areas, our services and brands portfolios. I’m confident our customers and suppliers will benefit with greater value and offerings to their businesses.”
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