Unified Grocers Names Leon G. Bergmann SVP, Sales
Regional cooperative wholesaler Unified Grocers has named Leon G. Bergmann its SVP of Sales, a new position at the company.
In his new position, Bergmann will be responsible for sales and service functions across all regions and will participate with other sales product leaders in developing programs that meet Unified's member retailers' and customers' needs. Bergmann will report to Unified president Bob Ling.
"The addition of Leon to our management team strengthens our entire organization," Ling said. "He has a wide range of experience in virtually all segments of the grocery industry, including wholesale, retail, consumer packaged goods manufacturers and transportation and logistics. We are looking forward to the insight, fresh ideas and energy that he will bring to our organization."
Bergmann comes to Unified from Eden Prairie, Minn.-based SuperValu, where he was president, Independent Business, and was responsible for supporting the growth and success of independent retailers who were supplied by the wholesaler. Prior to assuming this position, Bergmann served as group VP, independent sales, marketing and merchandising in SuperValu's Supply Chain Services Division.
Prior to joining SuperValu, Bergmann spent six years at C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keene, N.H., the last three of which (2008-2011) were as SVP, sales and customer service, Northeast Region, where he was responsible for total customer satisfaction and sales for the company's major retail customers in the Northeastern U.S. While at C&S, Bergmann also spent two years as GM, West Coast operations and one year as VP, corporate development.
During the course of his career, Bergman has also served as VP, process economics and engineering for ES3, Ltd. (C&S Holdings), and was a Six Sigma Black Belt at Penske Truck Leasing/Logistics.
Bergmann holds a B.B.A. in Economics from Memphis State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of IGA USA and also is a past member of the board of directors of the California Grocers Association.
"I am proud to join Unified Grocers, a company with strong retail owners, an experienced wholesale team, and strong market share," said Bergmann. "I look forward to leveraging the strength and natural alignment of a co-op to benefit retail, our owners and Unified Grocers."
Los Angeles-based Unified Grocers is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States.