Supplier Management (SM) Updates
UNFI is pleased to announce the following new team members, team member roles, and organizational structure changes. An updated list of UNFI Supplier Managers (SMs), contact info, line and category assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.New Team Members
Jacob Rusanov, Supplier Manager, Medford, NJ. Prior to UNFI, Jacob worked for KeHe and Wakefern specializing in Ethnic, Kosher, and Specialty Category Management. Jacob reports to Joseph Roy and is responsible for Kosher and Spices & Seasonings.Tracy Dearborn, Supplier Manager, Chesterfield, NH. Tracy has been with UNFI for the past 4 years working with our Inventory Planning and Replenishment (IPAR) team as a Buyer. Tracy reports to Greg Esslinger, and is responsible for Cheese & Cheese Alternatives, Refrigerated Dairy/NonDairy Desserts, Nutritional Bars, Yogurt & Cultured Beverages, and Frozen Breakfast.
Joe Johnson, Supplier Manager, Rocklin, CA. Joe has been with UNFI for the past 2 years working with our IPAR team as a Buyer. Joe reports to Richard Bruns, and is responsible for Plant-based Beverages, Breakfast Snacks, Toaster Pastries & Fruit Snacks, Cold & Hot Cereal, Cocoa & Milk Flavorings, Coffee, and Creamers & Accessories.
Don Jenks, Supplier Manager, Chesterfield, NH. Don has been with UNFI for the past 10 years working with our IPAR team as a Buyer. Don reports to Greg Esslinger and is responsible for Refrigerated Dairy & NonDairy Cream and Creamers, Frozen Bread & Baked Goods, Desserts, and In-Store Deli.
Katherine Dickerson, Support Coordinator, Rocklin, CA. Katherine has been with UNFI for the past 7 years working with our Costing & Coding team. Katherine reports to Sandra Meyer and supports Laura Russo, Capri Miller, Jessica Clancy, and Joe Johnson.
Taya Garabedian, Support Coordinator, Providence, RI. Prior to UNFI, Taya worked for Certified Disaster Restoration for 5 years as a Bookkeeper/Office Manager. Taya reports to Sandra Meyer and supports Lisa Gaeta and Melissa Ricardy.
New Roles
Melissa Ricardy, Rocklin, CA, has taken on a new Supplier Management role with our ClearVue team reporting to Meagan Kessel. Melissa has worked for UNFI for the past 5.5 years.Tracy French, Providence, RI, has been promoted to Supplier Manager reporting to Lisa Madsen. Tracy has been with UNFI for the past 4 years, most recently as Associate Supplier Manager. Tracy will manage Wellness Categories with a heavy focus on VMS.
Kimberlee Prata, Providence, RI, has been promoted to Supplier Manager reporting to Maureen Hines. Kimberlee has been with UNFI for the past 5 years, most recently as Associate Supplier Manager. Kimberlee will manage the Hispanic, British/Irish, Soup, Rice Cakes/Tortillas, Legumes, and the Canned Meat & Fish categories.
Daniel Murphy, Providence, RI, has been promoted to Associate Supplier Manager, reporting to Lisa Madsen. Daniel has been with UNFI for the past 3 years, most recently as an Onboarding Specialist. Daniel will be responsible for some of our Wellness categories.
Greg Esslinger, Chesterfield, NH, has been promoted to National Group Manager reporting to Melissa Angle. Greg has been with UNFI for the past 9 years, most recently as Supplier Manager. Reporting to Greg are Melissa Farkas, Jared Clark, Tracy Dearborn, and Don Jenks.
Allison Hughes, Providence, RI, has been promoted to Onboarding Specialist reporting to Julie Roper. Allison has been with UNFI for the past 6 years, most recently as Support Coordinator.
Nick Fontaine, Providence, RI, has been promoted to Onboarding Specialist reporting to Julie Roper. Nick has been with UNFI for the past 3 years, most recently as Support Coordinator.
New Organizational Structure
To follow up from our previous announcement regarding the Medford, NJ Supplier Management team build-out, all folks below will report to Joseph Roy, and have been assigned the following categories:John Spitzkopf, Supplier Manager: Grocery Grains, Prepared Sauces, and Sandwich Spreads.
Melissa Carpineto, Supplier Manager: Grocery Accoutrements, Croutons & Salad Accents, Oils, Salad Dressings, and Dried Potatoes & Stuffing Mixes.
Kristen Hayden, Associate Supplier Manager: Grocery: Apple Sauce, Baking & Cake Decorating, Batters & Coatings, Canned Fruits & Vegetables, Shelf Stable Milk, and Honey & Syrups.
Inventory Planning and Replenishment (IPAR) Updates
An updated list of UNFI Inventory Planning and Replenishment contacts and assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.UNFI Education Series – Reporting
We have recently added two more installments of our Supplier Education Series, Underperforming Items Report 101 and Reporting 101. Visit UNFI’s Supplier Support Site to access the series.UNFI Pacific Sales Team Update
Ben Thompson has been promoted to Sales Director, Pacific Northwest. Ben has been with UNFI for over 7 years in roles of increasing responsibility.David Chavez will move into the Sales Director, Foodservice position. David has also been with UNFI for over 7 years and is an expert on Foodservice sales.
Steve Brancamp will transition into Sales Director, Bay Area/Northern California, while Tom Robbins will take on the additional responsibility of the Central Valley.
Rich Massoni is retiring in the Fall and moving to Tennessee to live near his children. Rich joined UNFI through the Tony’s Fine Foods acquisition and has over 34 years with us. We thank Rich for his contributions, and wish him the best.
eCommerce Organization Update
Alyssa Carter has joined UNFI as Sales Director, Digital Commerce, reporting to Kirsten Hogan. Alyssa will support our sales efforts within the channel along with the HG Delivers initiative that PJ Stafford leads. Reporting to Alyssa are Ray Castillo, Channel Account Manager (CAM), Julian Emerich, CAM, Chad Moore, CAM, Ashley Jones, Sales Coordinator, and Carrie Ellis, CAM for Amazon.PJ Stafford, our VP of eCommerce, will continue to report directly to Kirsten Hogan. PJ’s primary responsibilities center around building out our HG Delivers model across the country, working with our platform provider partners to assist our customers in building out their aisle capabilities, and driving eCommerce forward through a variety of marketplace opportunities. PJ’s direct reports are Kristy Dolph, eCommerce Analyst, and two additional positions that will be filled soon.
Updated Pack Change Policy
On November 1st, 2017, the below Pack Change Fees will take effect:
Supplier Days Notice
|
With Ad Agreement
|
Without Ad Agreement
|
90 Days or Greater
|
$150
|
$300
|
60-89 Days
|
$200
|
$400
|
30-59 Days
|
$300
|
$600
|
Fewer than 30 Days
|
$500
|
$1,000
|
No Notice
|
$1,000
|
$2,000
|
The above charges are per Item, per DC
| ||
A pack change is defined as any one, or more, of the following:
- Change to Case Pack
- Change in Retail UPC Code
- Change in Brand Name
- Change in Unit Size, except an increase in an amount less than one ounce.
- Change in organic status. A change from organic to non-organic status will also require a new UPC code.
- Change in description that is materially different from the original description.
- Change in ingredients. Any ingredient change that adds or removes an allergen as set forth in the FDA allergen list must be assigned a new UNFI product number. Any ingredient change that may cause a material change to the product will be reviewed for a possible UNFI product number change.
2018 UNFI Showcases
We are happy to introduce UNFI’s new tabletop experience with our 2018 UNFI Showcases. With a new show for the Central region, two returning shows, and a brand new location for our North Atlantic show, you can expect more retailers, more selling, and more to experience than ever before. See below for official show dates and contact your SM to find out how to register today!
SOUTH ATLANTIC SHOWCASE
Loews Sapphire Falls | Orlando, FL
February 20-21, 2018
|
CENTRAL SHOWCASE
La Crosse Center | La Crosse, WI
May 9-10, 2018
|
PACIFIC SHOWCASE
LB Convention Center | Long Beach, CA
June 20-21, 2018 |
NORTH ATLANTIC SHOWCASE
Mohegan Sun | Uncasville, CT
October 2-4, 2018
|
Growing Your Foodservice Business
UNFI wants to help you grow in the foodservice channel. We are creating three informational sheets to help you understand the best ways to grow in this segment. Subjects include understanding the UNFI foodservice customer, planning an effective foodservice sales and marketing strategy, and building effective foodservice promotions. You can access these on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site on October 13th.Marketing Opportunities
For more information on the programs below, reach out to your SM or Alana Mahdalik at amahdalik@unfi.com or visit the UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.Digital HEALTHY Clippings® Click to Print Coupons
Feature your best sellers or newest items to gain consumers for trial through one of our newest marketing programs.Truck Fleet Advertising
UNFI has a fleet of over 1,000 trailers all over the country. Market your brand on the road by reaching millions of consumers directly.New Wellness Monthly Focus Program
UNFI is introducing a new program in January 2018 focused on Supplements and Personal Care brands to bring more Wellness focused promotions to Retailers.Participate in the National Organic Standards Board Process
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will convene in Jacksonville, Florida October 31st- November 2nd, 2017. The NOSB meeting is open to the public, and participants are invited to provide oral comments during one of two sessions. You can register to provide comments during the webinar or register online to provide oral public comments at the meeting.What’s on the Agenda for the next meeting?
The major topic for this meeting will be the 2019 Sunset Material review and vote. Also up for discussion is the allowance of hydroponics in organic production, strengthening the requirements for organic seed, the use of biodegradable bio-based mulch, defining emergency treatment for organic livestock production, the conversion of native ecosystems, organic inspector qualifications, and organic research priorities.UNFI Next
UNFI Next is the Pipeline Pioneer for Future Growth! This program is for early phase suppliers that are not currently in distribution at UNFI and are building their brands and placements at retail. Our Regional Supplier Development Managers are strategically located in markets throughout the US, and are continuously seeking new brands. We strive to offer a high level of support, education, and mentorship as well as a concierge experience throughout a brand’s onboarding and growth at UNFI.The product and brand criteria to define an Emerging Brand for UNFI Next are as follows:
- New to UNFI
- Offer something unique or innovative to the category
- On trend, or trendsetting
- Early phase development
- Seeking regional distribution
Please contact the applicable contact below for more information:
- Northeast – Darla Snyder DLSnyder@unfi.com
- Mid-West – Rebecca S. Quinn-Herich rquinnherich@unfi.com
- Central - Suman Lawrence slawrence@unfi.com
- Southwest – Beril Ancel BAncel@unfi.com
- PacNW – Jen Pletscher JPletscher@unfi.com
- All Other – Wendy Savoie, wsavoie@unfi.com
