Barry Wood, food manager of Essex-based Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, has been promoted to deputy chief executive.
He will be replaced by Brendan Smith, who has been promoted from senior area manager. However, the society, which has a turnover of £43m, said Wood would still keep an active eye on the continued development of the food division.
Wood joined the society as a Saturday worker, progressing from there to his current role. He has held a variety of posts including assistant store manager, marketing assistant, and assistant IT manager.
He leaves as the society records 5.43% like-for-like year-on-year sales growth in its food division and predicts more than 30% pre-tax profit growth in the next financial year.
Wood said: “I have for some time set my sights on a top position in the society and have taken every opportunity to train and progress towards this goal.”