SpartanNash taps former Walmart VP to head supply chain

Tom Lee has been named SVP of supply chain at SpartanNash effective Monday, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based distributor said.

Lee, who until recently served as VP, merchandising operations for Wal-Mart Stores’ e-commerce division, will oversee SpartanNash’s supply chain, logistics, transportation and inventory management departments, and will report to Dave Staples, president and COO.

“Tom is a proven leader with a strong track record in supply chain and merchandising functions,” Staples said in a statement. “His experience in instituting strategic supply chain growth and efficiency initiatives will help SpartanNash continue to grow in our wholesale, retail and military segments and build upon existing relationships with our customers.”

At Walmart, Lee built out supply chain and merchandising operational functions for its global e-commerce division, overseeing the planning and replenishment for both owned and drop-ship vendors with more than 10,000 suppliers and 26 million unique SKUs across a $1 billion inventory.

Prior to 2015, Lee served as VP, supply chain innovations, global e-commerce for Walmart. He has also held supply chain leadership positions for Henry Schein and Office Depot and has been a senior-level consultant for both Ernst & Young and KPMG.

Lee holds a master’s degree in executive managerial business administration from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Emory University.