United Natural Foods names Mario Maffie chief information officer

United Natural Foods, Inc., based in Providence, R.I., today announced the appointment of Mario Maffie to the position of chief information officer (CIO). Maffie will lead the company’s Information Technology (IT) team, oversee critical network systems integration work, and help accelerate the use of data and insights in support of UNFI’s customers and suppliers. 

Maffie joins UNFI after having spent the past 24 years in roles of increasing responsibility at Mars Incorporated, a privately held American multinational manufacturer known for its confectionery, pet food, and other food products and animal care services. He most recently served as Mars’ Corporate Chief Information Officer since 2018, where he oversaw technology for corporate functions, including HR, Procurement, Finance, Legal, and others, as well as global technology capabilities like master data management, reporting and integration services and platforms, automation, supply chain, and global ERP.

Maffie’s tenure at Mars included a series of important senior leadership roles within the technology team. Prior to his CIO appointment, he served as senior director, Technology Strategy & Execution (2016-2018), and from 2010 to 2016 in director roles supporting Global Technology Transformation (2014-2016) and End User Technologies (2010-2014). In 2010, he also served on the integration team responsible for bringing together Mars and Wrigley, which achieved the successful harmonization of the data center, network, infrastructure, service desk, and IT organization. He has experience launching global master data platform with SAP MDG as well as leading the first global deployment at Mars of predictive AI-based financial performance products.