Winn-Dixie names group VP perishables

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Winn-Dixie Stores announced the appointment of James Smits as group VP perishables. In this role, he will be responsible for all aspects of sales and merchandising for the grocer’s perishable departments and will report directly to Winn-Dixie’s chief merchandising and marketing officer Dan Portnoy.

Most recently, Smits served as the group VP fresh food merchandising at Supervalu. He began his career at H.E. Butt Grocery Company, where he spent 23 years. While there, he rose to become both VP produce and floral marketing and procurement and VP marketing and merchandising of their North Texas region.