Publix Makes Executive Moves

Citing Publix Super Markets’ growth, expanding initiatives and ramped-up innovation efforts, Todd Jones, the company’s CEO and president, revealed various executive appointments, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Randy Barber, currently director of industrial maintenance, will become VP of industrial maintenance and purchasing. In his new role, Barber will oversee industrial maintenance, facilities purchasing and manufacturing supply purchasing.

As Publix’s fresh retail business units (RBUs), which buy product, develop business plans and provide support to the company’s retail stores, are among those with rapidly expanding initiatives and innovation efforts, the company will divide those responsibilities between two current officers.

Transitioning from Publix’s grocery team, Pete Mowitt, now VP of product business development for grocery and nonfoods, will head the bakery and meat RBUs as VP of product business development for bakery and meat, but will also continue to have responsibility for Publix’s store dairy and frozen business areas as well as space management areas. Chris Litz, meanwhile, will continue to lead the the deli, produce and meals RBUs as VP of product business development for deli and produce.

Upon Mowitt’s promotion, Brad Oliver, currently business development director of direct store delivery products, will become VP of product business development for dry grocery and nonfoods. In his new position, Oliver will oversee and support the dry grocery and nonfood corporate purchasing category management teams.

“Investing in our business is critical to our growth and success,” said Jones. “I’m excited we have associates ready to take the next step in their careers, helping us execute our company strategy.”

Privately owned and operated by its 188,000 employees, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix has 1,160 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.