CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger recently announced that Valerie Jabbar, who is currently President of the Ralphs division, will become Group Vice President of Merchandising for the company, effective September 1. Mike Murphy, who is currently Vice President of Operations for the Columbus division, will succeed her.

Jabbar began her career with Kroger in 1987, where she worked as a clerk in the Fry’s division. Throughout her tenure, she has held several leadership roles, including Assistant Store Director, Category Manager, Drug/General Merchandise Coordinator, Corporate Seasonal Manager, Director of Drug/General Merchandise, and District Manager in the Fry’s division. She moved to the mid-Atlantic division to serve as Vice President of Merchandising before joining the Ralphs division in 2013 as Vice President of Merchandising. She was promoted to division President with Ralphs in July 2016.

"Valerie brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight to this role," said Mike Donnelly, Executive Vice President and COO, in a press release. "As we continue the work of Restock Kroger, her ability to lead and deliver for our associates and customers will continue to transform our business."

Jabbar currently serves as the President of the Food Industries Circle and is a Board Member for the Western Association of Food Chains. She is also the food industry executive in residence for the USC Marshall School of Business, and a mentor for emerging leaders through the Ralphs division's Women's Associate Resource Group.

Murphy joined Kroger in 1999 as an accountant in the company's auditing department in Cincinnati. He moved to finance in 2001 and then to Drug/General Merchandise to manage financial reporting and analysis. In 2004, he completed the management development program in the Cincinnati/Dayton division. In 2005, he was named a Category Manager for Drug/General Merchandise and Personal Care. He moved to the Central division in Indiana in 2007 and served as Assistant Merchandiser for both Drug/General Merchandise and Grocery. Murphy moved to the Louisville division in 2011 as a Grocery Merchandiser and was promoted to District Manager in 2014. He was then promoted to Vice President of Merchandising in the Columbus division in 2016. He stepped into his current role in 2017.

"Mike is a dynamic leader who brings great passion to our business," said Donnelly. "His strong commitment to our purpose and promise, and extensive grocery retail experience, make him a great asset to our Ralphs division."

Congratulations to Valerie Jabbar and Mike Murphy from the ANUK team!

Kroger