NEWS IN BRIEF

Kroger names former Mondelēz executive as new SVP of supply chain

29-Sep-2020 - Last updated on 29-Sep-2020 at 16:26 GMT

Robert Clark (left) is retiring from Kroger after 35 years with the company, and will be replaced by Gabriel Arreaga (right) as SVP of supply chain. Photo: Kroger

Kroger has named Gabriel Arreaga as its new SVP of supply chain beginning Oct. 1, 2020 replacing Robert Clark who will retire from the company effective February 1, 2021.

Arreaga most recently served as former SVP of supply chain for Mondelēz International, where he led a team of more than 14,000 employees within a network of 41 internal and external factories, 49 fulfillment centers, direct-to-store branches, logistics, and product development. Arreaga also served as global vice president of operations for Stanley Black and Decker and held numerous leadership roles at Unilever, including vice president of food and beverage operations.

"Gabriel's proven history of outstanding leadership and management of complex supply chain and logistics functions will accelerate our ability to provide a seamless shopping experience for our customers... and look forward to adding his fresh perspective and insights to our growing operations," said Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen.

Kroger's "seamless shopping experience" is currently supported by the retailer's network of 2,100 pickup locations and 2,400 delivery locations reaching 98% of customers through physical stores and online delivery/pickup services.

Speaking during the company's Q2 2020 earnings call, McMullen stated, "Kroger was the first to integrate pickup and delivery into one seamless experience. These investments were, especially, timely as customer adoption of pickup and delivery has grown significantly during the pandemic."

Arreaga will succeed Robert Clark, senior vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and enterprise sourcing, who announced his retirement after 35 years with the company where he first began his career as grocery bagger in the Fry’s division in 1985. After three decades of working his way up from store, district, and division leadership roles at Fry’s where he was eventually named vice president of merchandising in 2002, Clark became senior vice president of merchandising in 2016, and was promoted to his current position in 2019.

"He's been an instrumental leader at all levels of our organization and has built collaborative teams and developed business strategies that have advanced our operations and uplifted our associates and customers," said McMullen.