Albertsons Taps Starbucks Veteran to Head Strategic Sourcing

Albertsons Cos. has named Starbucks veteran Jonathan Gardner as its new group VP of strategic sourcing.

Gardner, who will report to Evan Rainwater, SVP of strategic sourcing and manufacturing, will lead the expansion of the retailer’s business of goods not for resale (GNFR), encompassing equipment, fixtures and supplies. The company said it was eyeing productivity gains there to help generate investment in omnichannel.

The Boise, Idaho-based retailer said it has also promoted David Nelsen to group VP of manufacturing.

Gardner worked at Starbucks for nine years, where he began his tenure as director of sourcing for IT and digital. Most recently, he was VP of global sourcing and supplier relations. In this role, Gardner was responsible for beverage, dairy, packaging, print production and supply development teams in Seattle. Additionally, he set strategic and cultural priorities for more than 200 sourcing professionals worldwide.

Nelsen has been with Albertsons’ manufacturing team since 2001 and has held a variety of leadership roles there. In the past several years, Nelsen has led the team in expanding manufacturing’s capabilities and product offering to retail, including extended shelf-life dairy- and plant-based products, Icelandic and Greek yogurt, and expanded ice cream products, the company said. Nelsen was also instrumental in opening the company’s milk plant in Hatfield, Pa.

“We’re focused on making moves that improve our productivity and agility so that we can strategically invest in our omnichannel future,” Susan Morris, EVP and chief operations officer, said in a statement. “GNFR can provide a productivity lift to many areas of our company. Jonathan’s new role will be key to driving that so that we can best serve our 13 operating divisions, 2,200-plus stores and 34 million customers every day.”

“Jonathan is an incredible leader who brings a significant amount of experience to our established Strategic Sourcing team, and we look forward to having someone with his expertise and acumen lead the expansion of our goods not for resale efforts,” Rainwater said. “Moreover, David’s manufacturing experience is industry-leading. This combination of leaders will position us to further our efficiencies and create opportunities to invest in our company.”