Broker/Wholesaler Corner
Daymon appoints two to executive leadership team
Daymon Worldwide, a Stamford, Conn.-based broker that is also a global expert in consumables retailing, experiential consumer marketing and innovative retail services, announced the appointments of Ross Kavanagh to the newly created position of chief sourcing and trading officer, and Dave Berry as chief information officer. Both will be members of Daymon’s executive leadership team.
In his new role, Kavanagh is charged with leading Daymon’s global trading businesses to offer new levels of service to retailer and supplier partners, Daymon said. He also will oversee global sourcing and quality assurance, driving progress on these critical parts of Daymon’s value proposition.
Kavanagh’s four decades of extensive global industry experience suit him especially well for this role, Daymon said. He most recently spent six years at Office Depot Europe in a series of roles of increasing responsibility, with the last three years as vice president of procurement, supply chain and merchandising. A native of Zambia, Kavanagh resides in Lancashire, England.
Berry, meanwhile, will use his deep background in both retail and IT for global companies to elevate and expand Daymon’s technology capabilities for both clients and associates, Daymon said.
Berry’s background includes positions at Pepsi-Cola, The Dannon Co., Coty Inc. and several subsidiaries of Diageo, including The Häagen-Dazs Co. and Burger King Corp., Daymon stated. For the past few years, he worked as interim chief information officer for companies across several industries, including TOMS Shoes, Polycom and Ascena Retail Group. He resides in Scarsdale, N.Y., after living in Europe for 15 years.
Supervalu to streamline indie business operation
Supervalu Inc., Eden Prairie, Minn., announced plans for a streamlined independent business organization. As part of the new structure, the company’s independent business will consolidate from three regions to two: East and West.
According to Supervalu, the new East and West independent business regions will be located in Mechanicsville, Va., and Hopkins, Minn., respectively. The company named Kevin Kemp president of the East region and Bill Chew president of the West region.
With this new independent business organization, Supervalu said it will streamline the organization and reduce operating costs while continuing to drive sales growth with its current and prospective customers. The changes also take into consideration the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering excellent value, service and customer programs, and offerings that meet the rapidly changing needs of its independent grocery store customers nationwide.
Topco names Christopher Hooks vp
Topco Associates LLC, Elk Grove Village, Ill., announced that Christopher Hooks joined the company as vice president, center store program management. He reports directly to Paul Matthews, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer, and will be responsible for the program management groups in center store grocery, frozen, health and beauty care, and general merchandise.
Hooks brings more than 20 years of food industry experience to Topco, with his most recent leadership role being vice president of the food division at Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions. In that position, he provided retail expertise to some of the country’s largest retailers. Specifically he advised retailers and suppliers on product development, category management and replenishment, and analytics. In addition, he was involved in a number of private label grocery frozen and dairy projects. Prior to joining Blue Ocean, he served in management roles at Supervalu Inc., Busch’s Inc., Premium Gold Angus Beef and H-E-B.
