Safeway Taps P&G Executive as CMO 2008-07-07

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway last week said it has named CPG-industry veteran Diane M. Dietz executive vice president and chief marketing officer, filling a post that had been vacant since the departure last year of Brian Cornell, another executive from the packaged goods industry who left Safeway to be chief executive officer of craft retailer Michaels Stores. Dietz most recently oversaw “one of the largest business units” at Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble, which included Crest toothpaste, Oral-B toothbrushes and Scope rinses, Safeway said. She is a 19-year veteran of P&G. At Safeway, Dietz will oversee the retailer's marketing, merchandising, manufacturing and distribution functions. She reports to Steve Burd, chairman, president and chief operating officer.

PRICE CHOPPER PROMOTES PLONSKI TO VP

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Price Chopper Supermarkets here announced last week that Jody Plonski has been promoted to regional vice president of operations, succeeding Jay Ropietski, who left the company to work at Weis Markets. Plonski will report directly to David Golub, vice president of store operations. Plonski will be responsible for overseeing the operations of all stores in Massachusetts, Vermont and Schenectady. He joined Price Chopper in 1999 and has held several operations positions, most recently zone director.

HANNAFORD NAMES TWO TO EVP POSTS

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Hannaford Supermarkets has promoted Beth Newlands Campbell and Mark Doiron, both senior vice presidents at the company, to executive vice president. Newlands Campbell, who has been senior vice president of retail operations and business strategy since 2004, will now also oversee real estate, store construction and design, and indirect purchasing. She has been with the company since 1987. Doiron, who has been senior vice president of merchandising and distribution since 2003, now assumes responsibility for information technology as well. He has led major supply chain development activities and played a key role in Hannaford's Guiding Stars nutrition labeling initiative. He has been with Hannaford since 1986.

ROPIETSKI NAMED WEIS OPERATIONS VP

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets said last week that Jay Ropietski has joined the company as vice president for store operations, reporting to David J. Hepfinger, president and chief operating officer. Prior to joining the 156-store Weis chain, Ropietski was regional vice president at Price Chopper, Schenectady, N.Y., where he oversaw store operations in Pennsylvania, Vermont and eastern New York. During his 25-year food retailing career, Ropietski has held a variety of positions, including assistant store manager, store manager, perishables specialist and district manager.