PROVIDENCE, RI - For United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), October has been the month of internal team growth as the distributor recently named a new Chief Supply Chain Transformation Officer and has now appointed Angie Balian as its Chief Brands Officer. In this new position, she will oversee the company’s private-label and owned brands division.

“I’ve had a chance to work alongside UNFI’s private-label and owned brands teams over the last several months, and I’m very impressed with the core brands, products, and people we have in place,” said Balian. “The opportunity now is to build on this foundation, using consumer and customer feedback, data, and insights to inform how and where we invest in our portfolio to best support the ever-changing food landscape. We know value is critically important to consumers and our offerings in private label and owned brand products must continue evolving [to] meet those demands today and for the future.”

Balian came on board at UNFI in July 2022 as Chief of Staff to Chris Testa, President and head of the company’s Service division. As stated in a release, Balian will continue reporting to Testa, with her appointment effective immediately.

Before joining UNFI, she most recently served as Vice President and General Manager of Weston Foods, where she was accountable for the overall business strategy and development of a multi-year growth plan for the $800 million packaged breads, rolls, and alternatives category.

Prior to that, Balian spent nearly 16 years at Coca-Cola Canada, finishing her time there as an Executive on the Canadian leadership team and having served as Vice President, Commercial and Franchise Leadership and Vice President, Marketing for Stills Beverage category. She also earned experience in roles as a brand and category manager for a variety of Coca-Cola-owned products and categories. Balian spent her early career in brand management roles at Kraft Foods.

Testa shared his appreciation for Balian’s expertise and abilities.

“There is a tremendous opportunity with our private and owned brand offerings as grocery retailers are specifically looking to us to help them source the unique products, value, and price points they need to support their communities,” said Testa. “Angie’s experience with sales and marketing of national consumer-packaged brands, along with her track record for building high-performing teams, will help us grow and improve on what is already a very strong portfolio of UNFI products.”

Cheers to Angie Balian on this exciting new appointment!

United Natural Foods, Inc.