PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) must not be one to take things slow as it has made two major announcements within a matter of days. On Monday, we reported that the company had extended its partnership with National Co+op Grocers, and yesterday we learned of another landmark move. Effective July 13, Amanda Helming will step into her new role as Chief Marketing Officer.

Helming joins UNFI after having most recently served as CMO for UNO Restaurant Holdings Corporation, where she led all marketing, product, communications, and promotion strategy for the 75-year old pizza brand, credited with inventing deep-dish pizza in Chicago in 1943, according to a press release.

Prior to UNO’s, Helming spent seven years at Dunkin Brands, most recently serving as Vice President, Brand Strategy, Global Consumer Insights, and Pricing for Dunkin U.S. During her tenure at Dunkin’, she created and scaled the brand’s first national value strategy, led the brand's marketing function, and overhauled the menu, resulting in record-breaking category growth including the re-launch of the Espresso platform. Additionally, she served as chief strategist for the rebrand to “just Dunkin.”

As UNFI's new Chief Marketing Officer, Helming will oversee the wholesaler's Brands+ Product Portfolio, Branding and Creative, and Communications teams. She will report to UNFI President, Chris Testa.

“Amanda brings a wealth of brand marketing and strategic thinking to UNFI along with a track record of successful brand transformations,” said Testa. “Her expertise in retail and consumer packaged goods will benefit us as we continue driving our Brands+ products into more stores and more home pantries. Under her leadership, we also expect to better align all our marketing and communication initiatives to support key stakeholders: customers, suppliers, associates, and community partners. Amanda is a great addition to our team and I’m looking forward to working closely with her to develop strategies that help strengthen UNFI’s brands and communications.”

Before joining Dunkin, Helming worked at General Mills, Disney, and ESPN Media Networks. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College.

Congratulations to Amanda Helming on this exciting new role!

United Natural Foods, Inc.