PHOENIX, AZ - Sprouts Farmers Market has announced a series of executive changes as part of its leadership succession plan, effective August 6.

• Amin Maredia, Chief Financial Officer, will be appointed as Chief Executive Officer.
• Jim Nielsen, Chief Operating Officer, will continue his role as COO and assume the position of President as well.
• Doug Sanders, former President and CEO, has been appointed as Executive Chairman of the Board.
• Susannah Livingston, Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasury, will serve as Interim CFO until a replacement has been found.

In a press release, Sanders discussed his gratitude for being part of the Sprouts team since the beginning and thanked the company’s Board of Directors.

“I strongly believe Sprouts has the team, foundation, and strategy in place to achieve long-term success, and I am excited to continue to be part of the strategic direction of Sprouts serving as Executive Chairman of the Board,” he said.

Speaking on his predecessor, Maredia said that he looks forward to working closely with Doug, the Board of Directors, the company’s leadership team, and more than 20,000 team members to continue the organization’s success in the years ahead.

“There has never been a more exciting time for our company as consumers’ expectations of grocery stores continue to evolve,” said Maredia. “…I know we will continue to be nimble, innovative and customer-focused to deliver on our mission of ‘Healthy Living for Less.’”

Nielsen remarked that his appointment as President and COO is incredibly humbling, noting that the company’s focus on innovation and execution will be pivotal in continuing to deliver value to customers.

“Through innovation and execution, we will drive operational excellence and focus on growth opportunities to expand our footprint while delivering value to our customers,” said Nielsen. “Our dedicated team members will continue to educate, empower, and inspire our customers who want to eat healthier and lead a better life.”

Andrew Jhawar, Chairman of the Board, took the time to congratulate Sanders, Maredia, and Nielsen on their new roles, expressing his belief that this team will continue to lead Sprouts into the future.

“During their respective tenures at Sprouts, both Amin and Jim have proven they are the right leaders to guide Sprouts, and Doug’s appointment to the Executive Chairman role will allow him to continue to provide strategic direction for the company,” said Jhawar.

Since Sprouts’ founding, Sanders has led the company through its transition into a publicly traded company with over 200 stores in 13 states coast to coast.

Sprouts Farmers Market