Wakefern creates chief customer officer, chief merchant roles

Grocery retail cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. has promoted Steve Henig to chief customer officer and hired Save A Lot executive Bryant Harris as chief merchandising officer.

In announcing the appointments on Thursday, Wakefern said both are newly created positions. Members of the Keasbey, N.J.-based cooperative own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market and Gourmet Garage banners.

Henig (left) previously served as vice president of digital commerce and analytics, directing e-commerce initiatives, app development and analytics needs. That included the launch of Wakefern’s first automated micro-fulfillment center and leading the ShopRite from Home online service, the company noted.

As chief customer officer, Henig will oversee the branding, e-commerce, marketing and advertising departments and work with members, leadership and associates to develop a “single, consistent brand voice” for customers, according to Wakefern. A key goal will be providing a “deep understanding of the market, customers and competitors,” the company said.

Henig has spent more than 25 years at Wakefern, starting at the company in 1992 as a category manager and then advancing through various procurement roles and leadership posts in corporate merchandising and marketing.

Related:Wakefern’s The Fresh Grocer expands footprint

Meanwhile, Harris comes to Wakefern from discount grocer Save A Lot, where he served as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. At the Onex Corp.-owned retailer, he had responsibility for assortment strategy, procurement, pricing, visual merchandising and store design.

In his new role at Wakefern, Harris (left) will oversee product procurement strategy, in-store merchandising, pricing and promotion. The company noted that he will work closely with Henig to devise and enact strategies to spur sales growth.

Harris brings 20 years of retail experience to Wakefern. Before joining Save A Lot, he he held a range of positions at Walmart and Sam’s Club. At Sam’s, he most recently served as senior vice president of real estate and business development. Prior to that, he led the warehouse club chain’s fresh foods division, overseeing $13 billion in annual sales. 

Overall, Wakefern has 51 independent grocery retail members who own and operate 354 supermarkets in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.