Asda has reshuffled its commercial team to support its new focus on fresh and frozen.
Former Morrisons trading director Rebecca Stanton has joined as business director for chilled and meal solutions. It sees her return to supermarkets following a short stint at Sofina Foods.
Stanton will take over from Jenny Cannon, who will take over as business director for produce. Meanwhile, Rowena White, who had been overseeing produce on an interim basis alongside her role as produce director for IPL, will remain within the Asda commercial team.
Asda vice president of fresh and frozen Ian Evans notified Asda colleagues and suppliers of the changes last week.
“As we continue to deliver our commercial agenda, we are optimising the commercial team to ensure we have the right people in the right roles,” Evans said.
It follows the launch of one of Asda’s “biggest” range refreshes in recent years earlier this month, as part of the supermarket’s Take a Fresh Look campaign to woo shoppers back into its stores.
Improving the quality of its fresh and frozen categories are a major focus of the drive. SKUs from both dominated the wave of 400 new products launched. Asda has also overhauled both aisles in stores, and launched a new Asda Fresh Promise quality commitment to shoppers.
Cannon’s expertise would be “invaluable as we drive forward our produce reinvention”, Evans said.
Stanton - who’s first job out of sixth form was on an Asda pizza counter - is well respected among suppliers from her spells across Heron Foods, B&M and Iceland. She also sits on the board of the British Frozen Food Federation. Stanton left Morrisons after just under two years in the role in October, to join Sofina Foods as vice president of retail sales in November.
“It’s a proud moment to return to a business that gave me my first opportunity, and I’m excited to begin this new chapter,” Stanton said.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the team, reconnecting with familiar faces, and building relationships with both existing and new suppliers.”
No comments yet