UNFI Appoints Walmart's Dorn Wenninger as SVP of Produce

United Natural Foods Inc. has appointed Dorn Wenninger to be its SVP of produce, effective today.

Dorn Wenniger

Wenninger brings more than 25 of global fresh food procurement experience to the Providence, R.I.-based grocery distributor, serving most recently as VP of perishables for Walmart Mexico.

In his new role, Wenninger will oversee the growth as well as enhance and execute the strategy and expansion of UNFI’s capabilities in produce. He will report to Paul Green, UNFI’s president of fresh.

"For UNFI and our retail customers, the produce department represents one of the most significant growth opportunity areas in the store,” said Green. “Dorn is an experienced, highly respected and well-connected leader who will not only advance our growth strategy through sourcing and merchandising efforts, but also provide retailers the insights and strategies they need to build their produce business.”

At Walmart Mexico, Wenninger was responsible for sourcing, buying and product development of the fresh departments for 2,400 stores in the region as well as Walmart’s owned meat processing plants. Prior to this role, Wenninger was VP of produce and floral and VP of global food sourcing for Walmart USA.

Prior to joining Walmart, Wenninger held positions of increasing responsibility with several firms across the U.S., Europe, Central America, and Asia. Wenninger was chairman of The Cobblestone Project, a nonprofit farm that provides fresh produce to local food banks, and on the board of directors of the Amigos de las Americas nonprofit organization. He has also been a member of the Fresh Produce Association board of directors.

Wenninger received his International MBA from Thunderbird’s American Graduate School of International Management and a Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University.