Whole Foods taps Clark to lead non-perishable purchasing

Don J. Clark

Whole Foods Market on Monday said that it has appointed Target veteran Don J. Clark as its global VP of purchasing for non-perishables.

Clark is responsible for all functions of Whole Foods Market’s non-perishable business, including growth through strong supplier relationships, inventory and category management initiatives and the management and expansion of the grocer’s exclusive brands program, which generated approximately $1.8 billion in sales in fiscal year 2014 from approximately 4,400 SKUs led by the company’s 365 Everyday Value line.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Don to our team,” A.C. Gallo, president and COO, said. “He is a proven leader in the retail industry with a clear track record of delivering results. His core values align very well with our company’s, and we are confident that Don will execute a range of innovative strategies that help take our non-perishables business to the next level.”

Clark joins Whole Foods from Target Corp., Minneapolis, where he helped in the ongoing transformation of Target’s grocery business through investments in merchandising, produce sourcing, store design, supply chain, store operations, technology and omnichannel capabilities. Prior to that, Clark led the expansion of the merchandise planning and presentation capabilities in Target’s Bangalore, India, office for its U.S. store and online businesses, where he implemented more efficient, cost-effective operations and innovative U.S. personalization and localization efforts.

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“The Whole Foods Market brand is the benchmark in quality for all other retailers in the growing natural and organic grocery space,” Clark said. “I have a real passion for health and wellness and am thrilled by the opportunity to lead an already strong non-perishables team as we continue to further differentiate Whole Foods Market products from the competition.”

Clark — a triathlete and father of four — is based at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, where he lives with his family. He graduated from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota with both a MBA and bachelor's degree in business.

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