Coborn’s names Kris Roberts SVP of center store merchandising

St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Coborn’s on Thursday named Kris Roberts as senior vice president of center store merchandising. Roberts will assume the post from Andy Knoblauch, who retires March 1.

Roberts, who spent more than 25 years with Target Corp., will be in charge of leading the company’s strategic merchandising initiatives in grocery, dairy, frozen, health and beauty, and general merchandise.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Kris to the team,” Coborn’s COO David Best said in a statement. “She’s known for driving profitable growth and transformational change with a collaborative and inspiring leadership style. Kris will be a crucial part of Coborn’s leadership team as we continue to advance our organization.”

Roberts will work alongside Knoblauch for the next six months, the grocer said.

Knoblauch came to Coborn’s in 1990 as a buyer before being promoted to VP of sales in 1995 and SVP of sales and marketing in 2003, overseeing merchandising for fresh, center store and marketing.

He was elevated to VP of center store merchandising in 2015.

“He has been a remarkable leader and ambassador for Coborn’s and has been a key part of the company’s growth and success,” the retailer said in a statement.

In August, the grocer announced the upcoming retirement of President and COO Dave Meyer at the end of the year, with Best taking over his roles.

Related:General Mills vet David Best to take over as president of Coborn’s

In April, Coborn’s signed a purchase agreement to acquire the 11 family-owned Sullivan’s Foods grocery stores in northern and central Illinois, its first expansion into the state.

Coborn’s, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, is an employee-owned grocer with 77 stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois.