Dive Brief:
- The Raley’s Companies announced Monday it has named Jen Warner as its first chief growth and transformation officer.
- In the new role, Warner will focus on fueling the grocer’s long-term plan to stay at the forefront of innovation, the announcement noted.
- Raley’s also announced the promotion of Levi Wingo to senior vice president of product and merchandising innovation.
Dive Insight:
The Raley’s Companies positioned both promotions as leadership appointments that will fuel its strategic vision and growth.
Warner joined Raley’s in 2020 and was promoted to president of the Raley’s operating division at the start of 2022.
In the new role, Warner will work closely with stakeholders across Raley’s “to position the company as a super-regional market leader in the Western United States,” the announcement said.
“Jen is a proven and visionary leader who will continue to enhance our already strong team. As we enter this next chapter of growth and transformation, I am confident our senior leadership team has the knowledge, skill, and courage to achieve our objectives and meet the demands of consumers who are looking for healthier options to enhance their lives,” Keith Knopf, president and CEO of the grocery company, said in the announcement.
Warner will continue to report to Knopf and work alongside CFO Tiffanie Burkhalter. The grocery company said it will announce a successor for Warner in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Wingo will lead product innovation “with a focus on quality, health, creativity and consistency” as well as oversee the company’s product innovation functions and related strategies, private label development and centralized manufacturing operations
Wingo will report to Warner and work with the company’s leadership team and operating division presidents.
“Levi deeply understands every aspect of our business,” Warner said in the announcement. “He is a bold, creative, and futuristic leader who knows how to shape outcomes and inspire our teams.”
Raley’s noted that it has been a leader in combining food and general merchandise in-store, having in-store health shops, providing customers with a shelf guide to help with purchasing decisions, rolling out customer loyalty initiatives and adopting e-commerce.
Headquartered in West Sacramento, California, Raley’s runs more than 235 locations across eight states and four Tribal Nations under 10 banners including Raley's, Bel Air, Bashas’ Diné, AJ’s Fine Foods and Farm Fresh To You.
