Giant Food taps industry expert as SVP of operations

Industry expert Diane Hicks has been tapped to lead Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food as SVP of operations, the grocery said this week. 

Hicks brings 30 years of experience working in retail across the Ahold Delhaize family of brands. In her new role, which will begin Sept. 12, Hicks will oversee omnichannel store operations, store support, asset protection, pharmacy and store development, the company said.

Prior to this role, Hicks was the VP of operations at Stop & Shop, another Ahold Delhaize banner, where she was responsible for strategic leadership, operations excellence, fostering positive culture, talent management, and overall profit and loss responsibility for stores in New York and Connecticut.

Familiar with the Ahold banner, Hicks spent 12 years with Giant Food leading various teams across merchandising and operations. This new appointment is a true homecoming, Giant Food said in a statement.

"The entire Giant Food family is thrilled to welcome Diane back to our team," said Ira Kress, president of Giant Food, in a statement. "She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in omnichannel store operations, and we look forward to the leadership and growth she will bring to the Giant Food brand in this role."

Along with her husband of 26 years, John, and their three children, Hicks looks forward to relocating from New York to the Maryland/Washington D.C. area.

"I am energized to be returning to my roots at Giant Food to support the continued growth of this beloved local brand,” Hicks said in a statement. “I am confident I can build on the positive momentum and introduce new strategies to support omnichannel operations and development to make this the best place to work and shop. I've felt at home in the Ahold Delhaize family and look forward to all that is to come in my new role."

Giant Food was founded in 1936 and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., with approximately 20,000 associates.