Schnuck Markets names Ryan Cuba chief merchant

Schnuck Markets Inc. on Thursday announced that Ryan Cuba will lead the company’s merchandising department as its chief merchant. Cuba was most recently the company’s chief business development and transformation officer.

Cuba (left) steps into the new role with more than 25 years in retailing, dating back to the May Company. He has been with Schnucks for 14 years, during eight of which he led store operations before taking the helm of the newly formed business development department.

Through Cuba’s leadership in that role, Schnucks grew its e-commerce business, closed the sale of the company’s pharmacy business to CVS, launched the brand-new EatWell store concept in Columbia, Mo., last month and completed the acquisition of 19 Shop ‘n Save stores in 2018.

“Ryan’s combination of business acumen and wide-ranging experience across varied disciplines positions him as the ideal leader who can empower the company’s success as a regional grocer competing in a complex, evolving market,” said Schnucks president and COO David Peacock. “His data-centric approach will help drive performance, while his track record of leadership and development of people will serve the merchandising organization well as they evolve to meet changing customer needs.”

Related:Podcast: Schnuck Markets CEO Todd Schnuck says EatWell hits the spot

Cuba replaces Steve Mayer in the role.

Earlier this week, Schnucks announced that the company had hired Bill Bradley as chief marketing and communications officer, a new role at the regional grocer. Bradley, a veteran of Anheuser-Busch, is slated to start in the post on Aug. 3 and will lead Schnucks’ newly merged marketing, communications and customer insights team.

St. Louis-based Schnucks operates 113 stores, serving customers in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.