Diaz named meat and produce director at Associated

Associated Supermarket Group said Tuesday that Orlando Diaz has been appointed director of meat and produce merchandising as part of a move to transistion management of those departments “in house.”

Hewlett, N.Y.-based Associated, which provides services for 350 independently owned stores under the Associated, Pioneer, Compare and Met Foods names in metro New York, also said that Frank Sorielli, meat department manager for Met and Pioneer stores, would expand his role to include Compare and Associated stores, coordinating advertising for all banners. Sorielli will report to Diaz. Diaz will report to Joe Garcia, EVP merchandising.

“Bringing the management of the meat and produce programs ‘in house’ is in keeping with ASG's strategy to expand the services it provides to all of its banners,” the company said in a statement.

Diaz has 30 years of experience as a retailer and vendor. He most recently worked with A&E, a group of independently owned stores. Previously worked for meat supplier Porky’s, Associated said.

At Associated, Diaz will train customers on efficiency in the meat department, and will be planning seminars in conjunction with meat suppliers. One of his objectives is to maximize purchasing power by leveraging volume, and provide reports that can show the department’s profitability. He will also visit stores to do cutting tests with the butchers with the goal of improving margins in the meat business, Associated said.

As part of the switch Associated said it would no longer outsource its meat and produce management programs, previously handled by DMS Meat.

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