New Seasons Market replaces departed CEO amid ongoing labor issuesNew Seasons Market replaces departed CEO amid ongoing labor issues

New Seasons Market has appointed a new leader for day-to-day operations following the departure of CEO Nancy LeBold.

Dave Kauder will now serve as senior vice president of retail, where he will support New Seasons Market’s core business goals while driving customer experience, staff engagement, and local partnerships, the grocer announced on Wednesday.

For the last eight years, Kauder has served as vice president and senior vice president at New Seasons Market. He previously worked at Whole Foods Market, where he held roles as a specialty coordinator, grocery coordinator, and executive coordinator of purchasing.

LeBold was named CEO of New Seasons Market and New Leaf Markets, which are independent operators within the Good Food Holdings family of brands, in April 2021.In March 2021, the banners under Good Food Holdings—which also include Bristol Farms, Metropolitan Markets, and Lazy Acres—announced that leadership changes would be part of the next chapter for New Seasons and New Leaf. A month later, LeBold was hired to replace Forrest Hoffmaster.

Good Food Holdings CEO Neil Stern also stated in 2021 that there was an aggressive growth plan, with new stores planned for all five banners.

New Seasons Market said the leadership transition is part of a broader strategic shift within the company. 

Related:The Fresh Market promotes Brian Johnson to CEO

In 2024, the grocer landed partnerships with last-mile delivery service DoorDash and Amazon, which also offers same-day delivery. A partnership with Instacart includes support with the company’s Apple and Android app along with Instacart’s ecommerce site. 

New Seasons Market is currently dealing with labor strife that resulted in one-day strikes on Nov. 27 and Sept. 1.

The New Seasons Labor Union stated that the work stoppages are in response to the Portland, Ore.-based grocer’s ongoing unfair labor practices.

New Seasons Market has not offered a viable path in contract negotiations, according to the union. The union claims that the grocer’s initial contract proposal includes a 25-cent hourly starting wage increase, reductions for higher-paid union workers, cuts to holiday pay, and an increase in the eligibility minimum for benefits and PTO from 24 to 30 hours per week.

New Seasons Market says it remains committed to constructive negotiations as the path to a resolution.