MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu here said it plans to consolidate its five Albertsons meat and grocery procurement offices into a single regional procurement department in Fullerton, Calif., and plans to shift most responsibility for produce at Albertsons to W. Newell in Champaign, Ill.
In a letter to vendors obtained by SN, Bernie Grutsch, vice president, procurement, said the moves are designed "to increase efficiencies and take advantage of resources and expertise available throughout our network." The transition will begin in the next few weeks and is expected to be complete by next summer, he noted.
Supervalu said it will consolidate all meat and grocery procurement functions in Fullerton from facilities in Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; and Brea and Irvine, Calif. The new organization that is created will be known as the Western region procurement department and will be headed by Mike Payne, director of procurement, Western region.
At the same time W. Newell, Supervalu's internal produce organization, will become responsble for all Albertsons produce procurement under the leadership of Brian Boutin, director of inventory replenishment. W. Newell will management produce procurement for the Intermountain West out of Champaign, Ill., while activities for Southern California will continue to be located in Irvine. "This new alignment will allow our Albertsons banner to take advantage of the expertise and experience that has become the hallmark of W. Newell," Grutsch said.
Regarding the other changes, Grutsch said, "These moves will allow us to increase our efficiency and effectiveness in procurement while eliminating redundant work and creating single points of vendor contact, making it easier to do business with us."
He said Supervalu will offer workers the opportunity to relocate to Fullerton or Champaign.
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