The Winn-Dixie Company has named longtime executive Shawn Sloan chief of store operations, promoting a 42-year company veteran to its senior leadership team as the Jacksonville, Fla.-based grocer continues to navigate a period of ownership and organizational change.
Sloan most recently served as vice president of fresh merchandising. He previously spent more than 12 years as a regional vice president, overseeing store operations across Florida.
Sloan began his Winn-Dixie career as a bagger and has since held a range of store, merchandising and operations positions, including store director, produce buyer and merchandiser, district director, director of retail operations and vice president of retail operations.
He later continued as vice president of retail operations under Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie’s former parent company, before moving into regional leadership.
Sloan succeeds Adam Kirk, who previously served as Winn-Dixie’s chief of store operations. Kirk had also served as chief customer and digital officer for Southeastern Grocers.
The appointment comes during another period of significant change for Winn-Dixie.
In August, C&S Wholesale Grocers announced plans to become majority owner of The Winn-Dixie Company. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027.
Raymond Rhee, previously the company’s chief financial officer, became president and CEO and is expected to remain in that role through completion of the transaction. Former CEO Anthony Hucker moved into a special adviser role.
The ownership changes follow several years of restructuring surrounding the Winn-Dixie business. Aldi agreed in 2023 to acquire Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket from Southeastern Grocers and completed that transaction in 2024.
In February 2025, a consortium of private investors led by Hucker and C&S acquired Southeastern Grocers and approximately 170 Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores from Aldi. The organization was renamed The Winn-Dixie Company in January 2026, consolidating the company and its stores under the Winn-Dixie name.
C&S subsequently disclosed its plan to take a majority ownership position in the company.
Sloan’s promotion places a veteran operator in charge of stores as Winn-Dixie moves through that transition. His career with the retailer stretches back to 1984 and includes experience across store management, produce, merchandising and regional operations.