PROVIDENCE, RI - In order to drive efficiency and enhance profitability, United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is taking action. The distributor recently announced that it seeks to restructure its operation by consolidating from four operating regions to three.

“These changes are a step in our transformation plan. The regional realignment will decrease layers of administrative management, increase leaders’ span of geographic responsibility, better align us to serve customers with less complexity, and support faster decision making,” Sandy Douglas, Chief Executive Officer, said. “These changes are also intended to make our company more efficient and more profitable.”

A press release noted that the three new regions will be called East, Central, and West. Throughout the company’s operation, UNFI will eliminate approximately 150 roles as part of its restructuring effort. These roles are primarily in management or supervisory positions.

The East region will span from Maine to Florida and as far west as Tennessee. It will encompass 22 distribution centers and service more than 10,000 customers, the release went on to note. It will be led by Kelly Sosa, Region President, East.

The Central region will cover the Mississippi River to the Rockies, comprising 21 states, 16 distribution centers, and approximately 9,000 customers. It will be led by Tandy Harvey, Region President, Central.

The West region will span 10 states, from Utah to Alaska. It will serve approximately 11,000 customers from 14 distribution centers and be led by Bob Garibaldi, Region President, West.

Sosa, Harvey, and Garibaldi will continue to report to Steve Dietz, UNFI’s Chief Customer Officer.

To learn more about the company’s restructuring plans, click here.

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United Natural Foods, Inc.