Dive Brief:
- Schnuck Markets has named Ted Schnuck, a division manager for 11 stores in the Missouri market and fourth-generation member of the Schnuck family, as its new vice president of fresh, the grocery chain announced in a press release on Friday.
- Schnuck has worked at the family company since 2015, including as vice president of brand marketing during the Schnucks Rewards program launch and as senior director of business development in 2018 when the chain acquired 19 Shop ’n Save stores in the St. Louis metropolitan region. Previously, Schnuck worked in brand management for household cleaning company Swiffer, business development and strategy at premium spirits company Beam Suntory and in consulting at Bain & Company, a management consulting firm, according to his LinkedIn page.
- As vice president of fresh, Schnuck will lead strategic development and execution for fresh categories, including prepared foods, as the grocer looks to expand its local sourcing and natural food store offerings.
Dive Insight:
Like other regional grocery chains such as Wegmans and H-E-B, Schnucks takes pains to emphasize that it has stayed in the Schnuck family since its inception. The Midwestern grocery chain, which has 112 locations across five states, is currently in its third generation of ownership.
Ted Schnuck’s experience extends across a range of departments, including supply chain, marketing, business development and store operations. Along with his role as vice president of fresh, Schnuck has been newly appointed to the company’s ten-person executive strategy team, which oversees long-term planning and execution for the company. He now reports to Chief Merchant Ryan Cuba.
Falling under Ted Schnuck’s new scope are the grocer’s growing investments in locally sourced products and development of its natural foods concept. The grocer opened its first EatWell natural foods concept, which prioritizes wellness-focused, natural, organic and local items and includes a "natural living department," at a former Lucky's Market location in Columbia, Missouri, last summer. The company said last summer it intended to buy more than $5 million worth of locally grown produce in 2020.
Schnucks is also identifying new local suppliers owned and operated by women, minorities, veterans, LGBT people and/or people with disabilities, with logistical support from two retailer sourcing firms. The grocer’s prepared foods section, which also falls under Schnuck’s remit as Fresh VP, was expanded this summer to include new partnerships with Black-owned restaurants in the St. Louis area.
