Spartan Names New Supply Chain Exec
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Derek Jones was named s.v.p./supply chain for Spartan Stores, Inc., based here. In his new post, Jones, a one-time Wal-Mart back office operations exec, will lead the supply chain and logistics aspects of Spartan's growing, value-added grocery distribution operation.
Jones joins Spartan Stores from Unisource Worldwide, Inc., North America's leading independent marketer and distributor of commercial printing and business imaging papers, packaging systems and facility supplies and equipment. As v.p./distribution for the company's eastern region covering 35 states, 48 distribution centers and $3 billion in annual delivery sales, Jones led the achievement of significant distribution network productivity improvements and lower network operating costs.
"Derek is a well rounded and ambitious executive with an outstanding track record of synchronizing and optimizing distribution networks while improving service quality and supply chain efficiency at some of the nation's most respected retailers," said Craig Sturken, Spartan's chairman, president and c.e.o.
Prior to Unisource, Jones held various senior-level operations management, supply chain operations and distribution center positions with Office Depot, Inc. and Walgreen Co.
Jones began his career with Wal-Mart Stores, where he held various management positions in distribution, operations, receiving, and order fulfillment at regional distribution centers located in Arkansas, California, and Ohio.
Spartan Stores, Inc., the nation's tenth largest grocery distributor with warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich., supplies some 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Spartan Stores also owns and operates 68 retail supermarkets and 19 deep-discount food and drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, and The Pharm.
Jones joins Spartan Stores from Unisource Worldwide, Inc., North America's leading independent marketer and distributor of commercial printing and business imaging papers, packaging systems and facility supplies and equipment. As v.p./distribution for the company's eastern region covering 35 states, 48 distribution centers and $3 billion in annual delivery sales, Jones led the achievement of significant distribution network productivity improvements and lower network operating costs.
"Derek is a well rounded and ambitious executive with an outstanding track record of synchronizing and optimizing distribution networks while improving service quality and supply chain efficiency at some of the nation's most respected retailers," said Craig Sturken, Spartan's chairman, president and c.e.o.
Prior to Unisource, Jones held various senior-level operations management, supply chain operations and distribution center positions with Office Depot, Inc. and Walgreen Co.
Jones began his career with Wal-Mart Stores, where he held various management positions in distribution, operations, receiving, and order fulfillment at regional distribution centers located in Arkansas, California, and Ohio.
Spartan Stores, Inc., the nation's tenth largest grocery distributor with warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich., supplies some 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Spartan Stores also owns and operates 68 retail supermarkets and 19 deep-discount food and drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, and The Pharm.