Supervalu names innovation head as part of executive shuffle
Supervalu is adding a veteran wholesale executive to a new C-level position and also enacting several other changes to its senior leadership team.
James Weidenheimer, 57, has been named to the newly-created position of executive VP, corporate development and chief innovation officer, reporting to Supervalu president and CEO Mark Gross. Weidenheimer joins the company after having spent the last 16 years in senior leadership positions with C&S Wholesale Grocers. He is expected to start in his new role by April 25, 2016.
In this position, Weidenheimer will work closely with Supervalu’s wholesale and retail teams in areas including new business development, cross-channel merchandising and promotions, and integration of logistical/delivery solutions for key Supervalu customers. Previously, he served as senior VP of corporate development for C&S Wholesale Grocers from 2008 until he retired from that position in January 2016. Prior to C&S, Weidenheimer served as VP and CFO for the wholesale division of Richfood Holdings
“I’m thrilled that Jim will be joining Supervalu and serving on our executive leadership team,” said Gross. “We believe there are significant opportunities to grow our business with existing customers and also to add new ones and Jim will be an excellent addition to help us achieve these goals.”
Supervalu has also announced additional changes to Gross’s executive leadership team. Bruce Besanko, executive VP and COO, has added the responsibilities of CFO, a position he held from August 2013 to October 2015. Susan Grafton will serve in the position of senior VP, finance, and chief accounting officer, reporting to Besanko.
Furthermore, Supervalu is renaming its independent business segment to wholesale, as wholesale serves as this segment’s primary function, which is to distribute consumable products to retail stores for final sale. Mike Stigers, executive VP, wholesale, will continue to lead this renamed segment and will report directly to Gross.