Dive Brief:

• Schnuck Markets has named Ted Schnuck as executive vice president of supermarkets, according to a company release on Tuesday. He will fully assume the role in October.
• Dave Peacock, the chain’s president and chief operating officer, has accepted a new position at the Continental Grain Company and will transition to the grocer's board of directors. He will help transition Schnuck into his upcoming role, the company said.
• Schnuck, who will lead the grocer’s merchandising and store operations teams, is a fourth-generation member of the Schnuck family who brings internal management experience combined with several years working outside of the company.

Dive Insight:

Since joining Schnucks in 2015 from Procter & Gamble, Ted Schnuck has quickly ascended the corporate ladder, moving through management roles in supply chain, business development, marketing, perishables and store operations.

Schnuck’s new role will draw upon this cross-functional experience as well as his several years of experience working outside the company. Schnuck was a consultant at Bain & Company before moving to Beam Suntory and then on to Procter & Gamble, where he worked as a brand manager for Swiffer. He joined his family’s grocery business as a program manager for replenishment and inventory optimization, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Schnuck, who is the great-grandson of company founder Anna Donovan Schnuck, is currently vice president of Schnucks’ fresh division, a role in which he oversees all perishable departments, including meal solutions. The company credits him with playing a key role in the launch of the Schnucks Rewards loyalty program and in the integration of 19 Shop ‘n Save stores in 2018.

Schnuck’s multifaceted development within the company underscores the grocer’s desire to remain a family-led enterprise. He will report to company Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck.

Meanwhile, Peacock, who spent 20 years at Anheuser-Busch, which included serving as the company's president, joined Schnucks as president and COO in 2017. He will rejoin the grocer's board of directors, a position he previously held beginning in 2014 but vacated when he became a company executive.

After 82 years in business, Schnucks is trying to remain a regional leader while also rapidly innovating. The company has partnered with DoorDash for delivery, will soon open a new fresh-focused store format and recently announced a store remodel that will introduce a food hall and clothing department.