Wakefern Names Cheryl Williams CIO

Wakefern Food Corp. has named Cheryl Williams its new CIO and VP of the company’s Computer Information Systems Division (CISD), in which she will coordinate cybersecurity efforts and technology on both the corporate and retail fronts. CISD was the same division where she began her Wakefern career as a manager of retail systems in 1996 and later worked as a director.

 “From our phones to our computers, and from our warehouses to our retail stores, technology is key, and it’s important that the division stays leading-edge,” said Williams, who has worked at Wakefern for two decades.

After her first sojourn at CISD, Williams became VP of marketing in 2001, in which she worked with various divisions to roll out key consumer marketing and data programs before being named VP of DCI in 2012.  In that position, Williams headed the team that introduced ShopRite’s first mobile app, as well as the ShopRite from Home online grocery-ordering service and digital coupons.

Additionally, she serves on Wakefern’s Executive Staff; is a member of the Network of Executive Women (NEW) and a past co-chair of its New York Metro Steering Committee; and sits on the board of directors for Choose New Jersey. Among many industry honors, Williams was named a Progressive Grocer Top Woman in Grocery in 2007 and 2010.

The largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, Keasbey, N.J.-based Wakefern consists of 50 members who today individually own and operate more than 260 supermarkets under the ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.