The Kroger Co. announced changes in key leadership roles across the company as the retailer continues to reorganize its executive team following the departure earlier this year of chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen.
Kroger appointed Ed Oldham to head of sourcing. He joins Kroger from PetSmart, for which he was senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. Before joining PetSmart, Oldham held leadership roles at Petco, Walmart, Ernst & Young and Walgreens, Kroger noted
“Ed brings a wealth of knowledge from his time working at and supporting a variety of different retailers,” said Ron Sargent, recently appointed chairman and CEO of Kroger. “Sourcing plays a critical role in making sure we can provide lower prices to our customers every day. We look forward to Ed bringing his unique experience to this role and helping us improve the customer experience.”
Kroger moved Ann Reed, president of the company’s Cincinnati-Dayton division, to group vice president of its Our Brands own-brands business. Reed began her career as a co-manager in Kroger’s Central Division in 1993 and was promoted to the Cincinnati-Dayton division president position in 2022.
“Ann worked in divisions throughout the country getting to know how our customers want to shop and what they want to buy,” Sargent said. “Ann is bringing a great perspective on the ways we can better take advantage of the significant growth opportunities Our Brands represents for Kroger.”
Kroger appointed Jake Cannon, president of the Louisville division, to replace Reed as president of the Cincinnati-Dayton division. He began his Kroger career as a produce clerk in the Smith’s division in 1999, later serving as vice president of operations for the Cincinnati-Dayton division before assuming the Louisville division president’s role in 2022.
“Jake is a great merchandiser and leader who understands the Cincinnati-Dayton division that Kroger calls home,” Sargent said. “He knows how to run successful stores that our customers love, support his associates and invest in our communities.”
Kroger selected Josh Harpole, vice president of Deli, Bakery and Prepared Foods, to succeed Cannon as Louisville division president. Harpole joined the company as a courtesy clerk in the King Soopers division in 1994 and became vice president of Deli, Bakery and Prepared Foods in 2020.
“Josh has deep experience across our company, as well as spending time leading our strategy in categories we know are important to our customers,” Sargent said.
