The new CEO of Supervalu has filled two top-level positions as the company's rebuilding effort continues.
The Eden Prairie-based supermarket giant has hired Jim Weidenheimer for the newly created position of chief innovation officer and executive vice president of corporate development. Weidenheimer will join the company next week after spending the past 16 years in senior leadership positions with C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Supervalu, which owns Cub Foods, also announced that Bruce Besanko will become the company's chief financial officer, in addition to his current role as chief operating officer. Besanko held the CFO job between 2013 and 2015.
The changes come as Supervalu prepares to spin off its Save-A-Lot chain into a separate publicly traded company and at a time when the company faces growing competitive pressures. The company's stock, which traded above $11 a year ago, closed Tuesday at $5.50, down 4 cents.
Company President and Chief Executive Mark Gross, who arrived in February, said that Weidenheimer will work closely with Supervalu's wholesale and retail teams to develop and execute market opportunities, including new business development, cross-channel merchandising and promotions, and logistical and delivery solutions for customers.
"Jim has a wealth of industry knowledge and extensive expertise in procurement, distribution and logistics and is able to draw on all this experience when considering how to best structure new offerings for a customer," Gross said in a statement. The company expects to grow its business with existing customers and to add new ones, he said.
Besanko will continue to oversee Supervalu's five regional retail banners, Gross said, as well as the company's merchandising, marketing, pharmacy and finance functions.
Besanko will also take on the oversight of Supervalu's human resources division.
In addition to Besanko, another current Supervalu executive will also move into a new position.
Susan Grafton will become senior vice president, finance and chief accounting officer, reporting to Besanko, effective immediately.
Supervalu is one of the largest grocery wholesalers and retailers in the U.S. with annual sales of approximately $18 billion and about 40,000 employees.
It serves customers through a network of about 3,400 owned, licensed, franchised and independently-owned stores, including the national discount chain Save-A-Lot.
Tom Meersman • 612-673-7388
