Albertsons has promoted Evan Rainwater to executive vice president of supply chain and manufacturing.In this new role, Rainwater will be responsible for the company’s global procurement, manufacturing, and distribution groups.
“Evan is relentlessly focused on creating and executing key strategies and tactics that create a lean operating culture,” said Vivek Sankaran, president and CEO, Albertsons Companies. “His background in logistics and extensive experience with our manufacturing operations will be a key asset for our entire supply chain operation.”
Rainwater most recently served as Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, overseeing the company’s 20 food production plants, which include seven milk plants, four soft drink bottling plants, three bakery plants, two ice cream product plants, two grocery/prepared food plants, one ice plant and one soup plant. He also leads our company’s Goods Not for Resale efforts.
Prior to the merger with Albertsons, Rainwater had been directly responsible for Distribution and Manufacturing budgetary, quality and service expectations at Safeway.
Before joining Safeway, he held senior management roles in both manufacturing and logistics for Winn Dixie, Rubbermaid and the plastics division of Mobil Oil.
The National Grocers Association (NGA) recently announced that Jonathan Downey has joined its team as senior vice president of industry relations.
“I’m pleased to welcome Jonathan to the NGA Team. His years of experience working closely with CPG and supplier companies will be an asset to NGA, our members, and the independent supermarket industry,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO. “I look forward to working closely with Jonathan as we develop our associate member programs and launch the Public Policy and Industry Leadership Forum this September 22-24 in Washington, DC.”
Downey worked for the Consumer Brands Association (previously the Grocery Manufacturers Association), starting there in 2006 as an intern in the membership group and since then has held a variety of positions including vice president of member value creation. He was responsible for membership strategy, growth initiatives, and other revenue generating activities.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a terrific organization that represents the independent supermarket operators that are critical to communities across the country,” said Downey. “I’m looking forward to working with Greg, the NGA team, and our members to build a forum where retailers, wholesalers, CPG suppliers, and solution providers can collaborate and create more value for their customers.”
Downey holds the designation of a certified association executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He is also a member of the ASAE Membership Professionals Council.