SpartanNash Hires Walt Lentz as Executive Vice President and President of Food Distribution
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - SpartanNash has announced a new addition to its executive management team, with Walt Lentz joining the company as Executive Vice President and President, Food Distribution, effective May 31. Lentz brings 32 years of logistics and supply chain experience, having served in leadership roles that include Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Supply Chain Officer of Peapod, the grocery e-commerce business division of Ahold Delhaize, from 2017 to 2019.
“Walt’s multi-disciplined logistics and supply chain career and commanding knowledge of the grocery industry from distribution, retailing, and omnichannel commerce, to manufacturing and merchandising are in direct alignment with SpartanNash’s supply chain optimization and strategic growth objectives,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, David M. Staples. “His proven track record of achieving top-line sales growth and bottom-line cost savings with emerging innovative solutions, merchandising, and marketing initiatives, and improved customer and associate satisfaction are reflective of Walt’s transformational leadership skills. We believe his expertise and energy to accelerate our strategic plan will be an asset to our organization.”
In his new role, Lentz will take on full responsibility of the company’s $4 billion food distribution segment and the total company supply chain. Lentz and his team will work towards developing and executing strategic plans to grow the wholesale distribution and food manufacturing businesses’ profitability, according to a press release. Lentz will directly report to Staples.
Lentz began his career with Ahold in 2009, serving as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain for Giant Foods before advancing to Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Logistics, Planning and Replenishment, for Ahold USA Retail. Prior to his time with Ahold, Lentz served in a variety of executive roles with Kellogg Company from 1997 to 2009, ranging from manufacturing operations to logistics operations and business unit sales support.
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