Kroger Names Mary Ellen Adcock VP of Retail Operations
The Kroger Co. has promoted Mary Ellen Adcock to serve as the grocer’s group vice president of retail operations, effective May 16.
Currently VP of operations for Cincinnati-based Kroger’s Columbus Division, Adcock succeeds Marnette Perry, whose retirement was previously announced.
"Mary Ellen brings to her new role a strong track record of success leading teams across our business, including manufacturing, operations and merchandising. She is the right leader to help shape our vision for store operations as we continue investing to grow," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Mary Ellen will be a great addition to our senior leadership team."
Adcock joined Kroger’s Country Oven Bakery in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1999. She held several leadership positions in Kroger Manufacturing, including VP of deli/bakery manufacturing in Kroger's general office in 2009. In 2014, Adcock was named VP of merchandising for Kroger's Columbus Division.
Adcock was honored as one of PG’s Top Women in Grocery in 2012, when she was VP of merchandising for Kroger’s Fry’s Division.
“As ‘natural’ has gone from a buzzword to a true driver of customer interest and purchases, Kroger turned to Adcock to oversee the burgeoning market segment. She brings a proven track record to the position that she has held since January of this year,” PG wrote at the time. “Previously, Adcock was a VP bakery/deli manufacturing, in which capacity she led three plants toward tonnage growth and profitability and certification by the food safety governing body as part of the Global Food Safety Initiative. In the growing area of natural foods, she will use her grocery insight in both procurement and in helping determine what ‘natural’ means to customers at the point of purchase.”
The Kroger Co. operates 2,778 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia, plus 2,231 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 323 fine jewelry stores, 1,387 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States.