BOISE, ID - Albertsons is taking fresh steps to enrich its leadership, welcoming Jonathan Gardner to the role of Group Vice President of Strategic Sourcing, and promoting David Nelsen to Group Vice President of Marketing. Gardner will report to Evan Rainwater, Senior Vice President, Strategic Sourcing and Manufacturing.

“Jonathan is an incredible leader who brings a significant amount of experience to our established Strategic Sourcing team, and we look forward to having someone with his expertise and acumen lead the expansion of our Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) efforts,” Rainwater commented. “Moreover, David’s manufacturing experience is industry-leading. This combination of leaders will position us to further our efficiencies and create opportunities to invest in our company.”

Gardner comes to Albertsons with a wealth of industry knowledge, having spent the last nine years of his career at Starbucks. During his time with the coffee juggernaut, he began as Director of Sourcing for IT and Digital, and worked his way up the ranks to his most recent position as Vice President, Global Sourcing and Supplier Relations. In this role, Gardner was responsible for Beverage, Dairy, Packaging, Print Production, and Supply Development teams in Seattle. Gardner also set strategic and cultural priorities for over 200 sourcing professionals in a matrix organization linking sourcing offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Toronto, and Seattle.

“We’re focused on making moves that improve our productivity and agility so that we can strategically invest in our omnichannel future,” said Susan Morris, EVP and Chief Operations Officer, in a press release. “GNFR can provide a productivity lift to many areas of our company. Jonathan’s new role will be key to driving that so that we can best serve our 13 operating divisions, 2,200-plus stores, and 34 million customers every day.”

Nelsen has served on Albertsons’ manufacturing team since 2001, holding a variety of leadership roles during his tenure. He has been a pivotal figure in leading the team in expanding manufacturing’s capabilities and product offering to retail including extended shelf life dairy and plant-based products, Icelandic and Greek yogurt, and expanded ice cream products. He was also instrumental in opening the retailer’s Hatfield Milk plant.

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