Jason Hart Promoted to CEO of Aldi

Aldi said today that Jason Hart, one of three members that comprise the retailer's office of the president, has been named CEO, effective April 1, 2015.

Chuck Youngstrom and David Behm will retain their roles as co-presidents for Aldi US.

The shift in management comes in response to what Aldi calls an "accelerated strategic growth plan in the U.S.," which includes plans to open 650 new stores across the country, including expansion into Southern California. The plan will bring the retailer's store count to 2,000 by the end of 2018, and will create more than 10,000 new jobs at stores, warehouses and division offices nationwide, according to the retailer.

Also part of this growth plan is Aldi's recent acquisition of Bottom Dollar Food's 66 locations, from Delhaize Group, in a transaction estimated at $15 million.

Batavia, Ill.-based Aldi currently operates more than 1,300 stores in 32 states.