Schnucks names new chief merchant, growth officers
Schnuck Markets, Inc. has added new talent to its C-suite and created a new role focused on expansion.
Thee St. Louis-based grocery announced that Kim Gray will lead the company’s merchandising team as chief merchant, succeeding Ryan Cuba, who will become the company’s first chief growth officer. Both Gray and Cuba begin their new roles on Sept. 2 and will be members of the company’s Strategy Team, the team of executives who lead the overall direction and execution of the company.
Gray brings more than 20 years of merchandising and leadership experience to Schnucks. She previously held senior merchandising roles at Hannaford Supermarkets and Food Lion, and most recently served as VP of omnichannel development and category management at Ahold Delhaize USA for two years. As Schnucks’ chief merchant, Gray will lead and provide a strategic vision for merchandising strategy, category management, procurement, assortment, pricing, promotions and supplier diversity.
“Kim steps into this role ready to lead thanks to her depth of category management leadership in fresh and center store, her experience in e-commerce and her keen eye for merchandising,” said Ted Schnuck, executive VP of supermarkets. “Her passion for developing talent as well as for serving customers position her for success as she returns to the Midwest for this leadership role with Schnucks.”
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Cuba takes the helm as Schnucks’ first chief growth officer, overseeing the teams responsible for strategic planning, acquisitions, business development, real estate, store design, construction and maintenance.
Cuba has spent 19 years at Schnucks, including the last four as chief merchant. Prior to that role, he held leadership roles at Schnucks in store operations and business development.
“With his cross-functional retail experience and understanding of our business from merchandising to store operations, Ryan is the ideal leader to step into this role as we position Schnucks for growth,” said David Bell, executive VP and chief financial and administrative officer. “He was responsible for a number of successful moments in our company’s history, including the sale of our pharmacy business to CVS as well as the integration of 19 Shop ‘n Save stores.”
Founded in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 114 stores, serving customers in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin and employs nearly 12,000 workers.
