Why It Matters to Distributors: The leadership shift highlights how large distributors are evolving strategy functions toward long-term advisory roles while embedding execution deeper across the organization.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits said Tuesday that its top corporate strategy executive will move into an advisory role, marking a shift in the company’s leadership structure.
Stephen Von Oehsen, senior vice president of the Office of Strategic Management, will step away from day-to-day responsibilities and become a senior strategic advisor effective April 1. He will advise CEO Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer David Chaplin and President of Internal Operations Lee F. Hager.
In the new role, Von Oehsen will support enterprise growth initiatives and help develop strategic talent across the organization.
Von Oehsen joined the company in 2005 and has been actively involved in shaping its long-term strategy, including expansion into new markets and the merger with Glazer’s, which expanded Southern Glazer’s U.S. presence.
“Over the past 20-plus years, Stephen’s strategic expertise has been instrumental in guiding our leadership team through periods of transformative change and substantial growth,” CEO Wayne Chaplin said.
Executives said Von Oehsen also helped formalize the company’s strategy and build an enterprise program management function to track execution. His team played a role in defining the company’s identity, purpose and long-term direction, David Chaplin said.
Lee Hager said Von Oehsen also contributed to talent development, noting that many current employees previously worked within the strategy organization.
Von Oehsen said he plans to continue working with senior leadership on long-term strategy.
Southern Glazer’s operates in 47 U.S. markets and Canada and employs about 21,900 people. The company did not name a successor for Von Oehsen’s previous role.
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