United Natural Foods realigns wholesale business

United Natural Foods Inc. says it will realign its commercial wholesale organization into two product-centered divisions — conventional grocery products and natural, organic, specialty and fresh products — while continuing to enhance its enterprise-wide commercial and supply chain capabilities.

The company says the moves supports a plan to advance its multiyear strategy focused on creating more customized value for its customers and suppliers and driving profitable growth.

UNFI is a North American grocery wholesaler delivering fresh, branded and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, e-commerce providers and foodservice customers, according to a news release.

Louis Martin, currently president of wholesale, will become president of conventional grocery products and UNFI chief commercial officer. Mark Bushway, currently chief supply chain officer, will become president of natural, organic, specialty and fresh products and UNFI chief supply chain officer.

Each division will have focused sales teams aligned to the unique product and service needs of the retail locations that UNFI serves, and both divisions will be supported by dedicated functional experts in merchandising, operations, procurement and supplier services, the company said.

Capability centers of excellence in areas including supply chain, professional and digital services and private brands will work across the divisions to support sales leaders in building customized programs to help customers and suppliers accelerate their growth strategies, according to the release.

“This realignment is another step in the execution of our plan to add value and improve efficiency and effectiveness for our customers and suppliers,"
said UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas. "By empowering our commercial teams to provide a more customized product and service-centered experience, we intend to help our customers and suppliers differentiate, compete and grow profitably through a more responsive, efficient and effective operating model.”