Last updated on May 9th, 2017 at 02:59 pm
Associated Grocers of New England has restructured its procurement, sales and retail service teams.
Ed Rawson has been named SVP of sales and merchandising. In addition to his responsibilities for company sales, retail programs and business development, Rawson is responsible for perishable and center store merchandising and procurement functions.
Reporting to Rawson are Henry Vance, perishable merchandising director, and Chris Marshall, center store category management director.
Vance’s extensive grocery career includes running large perishable departments at Market Basket and Shaw’s Supermarkets. He began his AG New England career as a retail counselor and bakery/deli specialist. For the past five years, he has held perishable procurement positions, including senior buyer, category manager, director of perishable category management and director of perishable merchandising.
Marshall’s background includes 20 years of industry experience, including Procter & Gamble in product supply and brand management roles, as well as leadership positions at Reckitt Benckiser, Giant Eagle, Bissell Homecare, C&S Wholesale Grocers and ES3.
AGNE officials say the procurement realignment should better position the cooperative toward its goal of fully implementing category management and further developing merchandising programs. Building on relationships with current vendor partners and developing new relationships will be a focus of this newly aligned team, the company said.
Continuing to report to Rawson is Curt O’Hara, VP of retail services. With a focus on growing the retail programs and services to the cooperative’s independent grocers, O’Hara’s years of retail and wholesale experience will strengthen the programs offered to independents, AGNE says. O’Hara is responsible for areas such as marketing and communications, advertising, retail pricing, store design and equipment, and customer service.
Also reporting to Rawson is Paul Greenan, VP of sales. Greenan has a long history with AG New England, and during his career with the cooperative has held positions in the sales, procurement and retail services areas. Greenan’s newly formed team will focus on building sales with existing customers through category management and retail programs developed specifically for independent grocers, as well as developing new customers. Greenan also will be responsible for Associated Convenience Grocers, AG New England’s division dedicated to serving the needs of the company’s large and growing convenience store class of trade.
