Tops Friendly Markets has promoted Matthew Blair to category business manager for produce–fruit desk, with Justin Rowe shifting from that role to category business manager for produce-vegetable desk.
In his new role, Blair will be responsible for developing and managing the procurement and merchandising program for produce–fruit to achieve budgeted sales, gross profit, inventory turns and service levels. He will work with buyers, pricing and space management to maximize support for assigned categories, select new items and develop merchandising programs that allow the categories to meet or exceed projected goals.
He comes to Northeast Shared Services from Price Chopper/Market 32 with 24 years of produce experience. He has held various produce-related roles during his tenure, including produce clerk, assistant team leader–produce, team leader–produce, produce/floral specialist and junior category business manager–produce, a position he held until his promotion.
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Rowe has been with Tops for 25 years. He has worked at several stores during that time and has held various positions, including produce clerk, assistant prepared foods manager, customer operations manager, non-perishable operations manager, perishable operations manager, assistant store manager and store manager for the Tops in Dansville, New York.
