Dollar General promotes three to SVP

Dollar General has elevated three executives to the senior vice president level, and four more have been named as vice presidents.

Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based Dollar General said yesterday that the new SVPs are Mark Banister, Dr. Johné Battle and Ivan Reeves. The VP promotions include Michael Auyeung, Rick Channell and Scott Miller.

(From left) New Dollar General senior VPs Mark Banister, Dr. Johné Battle and Ivan Reeves.

Banister was promoted from VP to SVP of in-store experience. In that role, he will oversee space management, project execution and support, fixtures and supplies, and store planning teams. He joined Dollar General in 2009 and has filled various roles leading the in-store experience teams.

Meanwhile, Battle was appointed SVP of diversity and inclusion after holding the VP title in that post. Dollar General noted that, since joining the company in 2020, he has been instrumental in advancing the retailer’s efforts to “invest in diverse teams through development, empowerment and inclusion.”

And Reeves was moved up to SVP after serving as VP of supply-chain human resources. In the new role, he will lead supply chain HR for Dollar General’s 28 distribution centers and its private fleet network. He joined Dollar General and its HR team in 2002.

In addition, Dollar General has hired Allen Warch (pictured left) as VP and division merchandise manager for fresh. Overseeing the chain’s expanding fresh merchandise category, Warch joins the company from Northeast grocer Price Chopper/Market 32, where he was VP of fresh merchandising. The supermarket industry veteran, with a strong background in fresh produce procurement and merchandising, spent almost 12 years at Kroger and also has held roles at Australian grocer Coles, Food Lion and Shoppers Food Warehouse.

Related:Dollar General pushes ahead with brick-and-mortar expansion

On the vice president side, Michael Auyeung has been named VP of merchandising for Dollar General’s pOpshelf retail banner, which includes 66 stores in seven states. Previously divisional merchandise manager for pOpshelf, Auyeung in his new role will lead the brand’s beauty, health, stationery, arts and crafts, toys and electronics merchandising. He joined the pOpshelf merchandising team in 2019.

Formerly senior director of merchandising, Rick Channell now serves as VP and division merchandise manager, leading teams across multiple categories and directing merchandising strategies in health, beauty and personal care. He joined DG in 2011.

(From left) New Dollar General VPs Michael Auyeung, Rick Channell and Scott Miller.

Company veteran Scott Miller has been named VP of space management. Since joining Dollar General in 2009, Miller continues to support store operations teams, merchant groups and vendor communities through planogram construction, database administration, third-party merchandising operations and new-store publication functions, the retailer said.

Related:Dollar General makes spate of promotions and hirings

“These promotions reflect Dollar General’s continuing culture of employee growth and success and illustrate the company’s priority of creating opportunities for employees,” Dollar General stated. Overall, the retailer operates 18,356 stores in 47 states.