The Supply Side briefs: Publix, Fresh Market make management moves

• Publix CEO to resign
Ed Crenshaw, CEO of Publix grocery, will resign effective April 30 and be succeeded by Todd Jones, president of the Florida-based grocery retailer.

Crenshaw has held the CEO position since 2008 after working his way up the career ladder from his first Publix job as a front-service clerk in 1974. He plans to remain a member of the Publix board of directors and will become board chairman May 3. The company said board chair Charlie Jenkins Jr. will then become chairman emeritus.

“The time has come to turn over the reins, and I am pleased to have a leader with the experience of Todd who is ready to take the next step in his career. I am confident in his ability to lead our company into the future and to continue to make Publix a great place for both customers and associates,” Crenshaw said.

Jones began his Publix career in 1980 as a front-service clerk in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. He worked in a variety of store positions before becoming a store manager in 1988. He was promoted to district manager in 1997, regional director in 1999 and vice president of the Jacksonville Division in 2003. In 2005, Jones was promoted to senior vice president of product business development. He has serve as president since 2008.

• The Fresh Market taps former Walmart executive as its chief merchandiser
Pamela Kohn has been named the new chief merchandising officer for The Fresh Market grocery chain.

The company said Kohn will be responsible for enhancing the customer experience while accelerating the improvement of merchandise selection, customer value, brand messaging, and in-store experience. She will also have oversight for merchandising, marketing, and supply chain functions and will report directly to Rick Anicetti, president and CEO.

She has more than three decades of grocery expertise, spending 12 years at Walmart
in supply chain, merchandising, store operations, real estate, sourcing and merchandising operations. During her tenure there, she led Walmart’s perishables business and Neighborhood Market program. Kohn left Walmart in June amid the executive reshuffling under the leadership of Walmart U.S. CEO Greg Foran.

Prior to her career at Walmart, Kohn led the merchandising program at the Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. when it was a multi-billion dollar division of Ahold USA.  Before than she was chief merchandising and marketing officer for Food Lion when it was a 1,100-store chain.“

We are extremely excited to welcome Pam to The Fresh Market team. She is a highly innovative and experienced leader in food retail merchandising, succeeding as a proven change agent for go-to-market strategy, value creation and supply chain,” said Anisette.