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Kroger names Mondelez exec Gabriel Arreaga to lead supply chain

Robert Clark to retire after over three decades of service at supermarket giant

Russell Redman

September 29, 2020

2 Min Read
Kroger_truck.jpg
Kroger operates 45 distribution centers that supply about 2,750 stores in 35 states and D.C. Operations also include 35 food manufacturing plants.Kroger

The Kroger Co. has named Gabriel Arreaga as senior vice president of supply chain, taking the reins from Robert Clark, who plans to retire early next year.

Kroger said Tuesday that Arreaga, currently senior VP of supply chain at Mondelez International, is slated to start in his new role on Oct. 1. Plans call for Clark, who also is senior VP of manufacturing and enterprise sourcing at Kroger, to retire on Feb. 1.

At Kroger, Arreaga will oversee the Cincinnati-based company’s massive supply chain organization, including logistics, inventory and replenishment. The retailer operates 45 distribution centers that supply about 2,750 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Operations also include 35 food production plants.

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Arreaga (left) brings extensive supply-chain leadership experience, Kroger noted. In nearly two years as senior VP of supply chain at Mondelez, he led a team of more than 14,000 employees in a network of 41 internal and external factories, 49 fulfillment centers, direct-to-store branches, logistics and product development. Before joining Mondelez, he served as global vice president of operations for Stanley Black & Decker and held various leadership roles at Unilever, including vice president of food and beverage operations.

Related:Kroger names Michigan site for new Ocado online grocery facility

“Gabriel’s proven history of outstanding leadership and management of complex supply chain and logistics functions will accelerate our ability to provide a seamless shopping experience for our customers,” Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said in a statement. “We welcome Gabriel and his 22 years of leadership experience in the industry and look forward to adding his fresh perspective and insights to our growing operations.”

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Clark (left) has spent more than 35 years at Kroger, serving in his role as senior VP of supply chain, manufacturing and enterprise sourcing since April 2019. He started his career at the company in 1985 as a bagger in the Fry's division and then rose through the ranks to serve in store, district and division leadership roles for the Fry’s supermarket banner, becoming vice president of merchandising in 2002. Clark relocated to the Columbus division as vice president of operations in 2010 and, the following year, moved to the Fred Meyer division to serve as vice president of merchandising. He relocated again in 2013 to Kroger’s corporate headquarters in Cincinnati as group vice president of non-perishables. In 2016, Clark was promoted to senior vice president of merchandising before being elevated to his current position three years later.

Related:Kroger names new chief merchant, expands CIO’s role

“We thank Robert for his 35 years of dedicated service and leadership,” McMullen commented. “He’s been an instrumental leader at all levels of our organization and has built collaborative teams and developed business strategies that have advanced our operations and uplifted our associates and customers.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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