Why This Matters to Distributors: UNFI is consolidating sales, supply chain, and technology under one executive as it works to improve execution and profitability. The move reflects a broader trend among large distributors to integrate commercial and operational leadership to better serve customers and improve efficiency.
United Natural Foods Inc. is restructuring its executive leadership team, promoting President and Chief Financial Officer Matteo Tarditi to president and chief operating officer while appointing a new chief financial officer as the grocery wholesaler sharpens its focus on operational execution and long-term growth.
The leadership changes, effective Aug. 3, place responsibility for UNFI’s sales organizations, enterprise customer relationships, supply chain operations, technology, and lean initiatives under Tarditi. The company said the move is designed to better align commercial and operational functions while improving execution across the business.
Tarditi has served as president and chief financial officer, helping strengthen the company’s financial performance and customer service capabilities. As chief operating officer, he will lead many of UNFI’s customer-facing and operational functions as the company continues to streamline its organization.
Louis Martin will become chief commercial officer, overseeing merchandising, supplier partnerships, private brands, professional and digital services, and revenue growth management. UNFI said Martin will continue leading initiatives aimed at helping retailers and suppliers grow through expanded merchandising programs, data analytics, and other value-added services.
UNFI also appointed Alfredo Luchini as chief financial officer, effective Aug. 10. Luchini joins the company from Carrier Global Corp., where he served as vice president of finance and chief financial officer for Carrier Climate Solutions Americas, an $11 billion business segment. He brings experience in financial planning, business transformation, and post-acquisition integration.
Chief Executive Officer Sandy Douglas said the leadership changes are intended to better align the organization with the company’s next phase of growth.
“These moves reflect the strength of our team and our commitment to aligning our leadership structure with the next chapter of UNFI’s value creation strategy,” Douglas said in a statement.
The restructuring also includes the planned departure of Mark Bushway, president of natural, organic, specialty and fresh products and chief supply chain officer. Bushway will remain with the company through Jan. 1, 2027, overseeing the supply chain organization while working with Tarditi to ensure an orderly leadership transition.
Bushway spent 23 years with UNFI, helping expand and modernize the company’s distribution network while developing its supply chain leadership team.
The executive changes continue UNFI’s efforts to simplify its organizational structure while strengthening coordination between sales, operations, and technology. The company has increasingly emphasized operational efficiency, digital capabilities, and value-added services as it serves approximately 30,000 retail locations across North America.
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, UNFI is one of North America’s largest grocery wholesalers, distributing natural, organic, specialty, fresh, conventional, and private-label products through a technology-enabled distribution network serving independent, regional, and national grocery retailers.
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