SpartanNash taps C&S Wholesale’s David Petko as supply chain chief

David Petko has joined SpartanNash as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, coming over from rival grocery distributor C&S Wholesale Grocers.

SpartanNash said Tuesday that Petko started in his new post yesterday and reports to President and CEO Tony Sarsam. In the role, he will oversee all aspects of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based distributor and retailer’s supply chain management, including warehousing, forecasting, planning, sourcing, procurement, inventory control, transportation, logistics, engineering, budgets and business plans.

As part of the SpartanNash’s executive leadership team, Petko (left) also is tasked with developing and executing strategic plans to bolster relationships with suppliers, driving efficiency and cost savings across the supply chain and distribution operations, and expanding SpartanNash’s national distribution network.

“David is a results-oriented executive with the energy and passion for challenge and a commitment to enhancing profitability while maintaining a laser focus on customer expectations and building the capabilities of the team,” Sarsam said in a statement. “This is in direct alignment with our people-first culture and strategic plan. His proven track record of transformational leadership, improved customer and associate satisfaction and driving top-line sales growth and bottom-line cost savings will be an asset to our organization.”

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Most recently, Petko had served as senior vice president of supply chain at Keene, N.H.-based C&S since 2019. SpartaNash noted that, in the role, he drove operational efficiencies, safety, associate engagement, customer focus and problem-solving throughout the C&S supply chain. His nearly 12 years at C&S also includes appointments as regional vice president of operations from 2014 to 2019, senior director ES3/D2S from 2013 to 2014, director of operations from 2012 to 2013 and general manager of two facilities from 2009 to 2012.

Petko’s more than two dozen years of supply chain, distribution and logistics experience also includes 13 years at courier DHL Express. From 2000 to 2006, he held several leadership roles with DHL, developing new, state-of-the art hubs, achieving process improvements for cost-per-unit transportation and labor, and helping to expand the customer base.

With $9.35 billion in net sales last year, SpartanNash operates grocery wholesale, military commissary distribution and retail grocery business units, serving customer locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Djibouti. Its retail network encompasses 154 corporate-owned supermarkets under such banners as Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery and Dan’s Supermarket.

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