PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) has made it clear it is on a mission to transform the future of food, and that transformation begins with the success of its customers. To accelerate this long-term strategy, the company has announced it has promoted Steve Dietz to the newly created role of Chief Customer Officer (CCO). Effective October 1, Dietz will be responsible for overseeing the distributor’s sales efforts throughout the United States and Canada.

Dietz first joined UNFI in 2014, when the distributor acquired Tony’s Fine Foods, where he had previously spent 15 years overseeing sales, customer service, procurement, marketing, and pricing. He currently serves as UNFI’s President, Pacific Region. According to a press release, Dietz has served in his current role since the SUPERVALU acquisition and has helped bring together multiple sales teams under one cohesive Pacific Region organization. In addition to his work at UNFI, he also currently serves as a member of the executive board for the California Grocers Association.

Dietz also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

“Steve is a terrific selection for this role, and I’m confident his leadership will help us further unlock the customer experience, delivering greater value and innovation to grocery retailers of all sizes and formats,” said UNFI President Chris Testa. “We have a tremendous responsibility to our customers and communities and Steve’s experience, sales acumen, and strong understanding of the ever-changing grocery landscape will help us continue to deliver on our customer promise.”

As he takes on the role of CCO, Dietz will support UNFI’s National, Atlantic, South, Central, Pacific, and Canadian region teams in driving business growth and executing the company’s long-term vision to transform the future of food. He will also work with the region President to implement a local go-to-market strategy, leveraging data, learning, and outcomes to drive new best practices and programs to benefit the distributor’s customers.

As Dietz makes this exciting transition, a new Pacific Region President is expected to be named later this fall.

We here at ANUK congratulate Steve Dietz on this monumental achievement as we anxiously await more growth updates in the distribution sector.

United Natural Foods, Inc.