Empire, Sobeys announce leadership changes

On June 5, Empire Company Limited, with its wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc. announced key leadership changes in certain operations and merchandising roles. These changes are intended to create a national merchandising team and build Empire’s ecommerce and discount leadership for the long-term. This move comes as the company focuses on the next phases of its 3-year transformation plan.

“It has been a year of solid progress in rewiring the fundamentals of our business — stabilizing margins, creating a lower-cost national structure and setting clear strategies in areas such as ecommerce and discount,” said Michael Medline, President & CEO. “We are now sharpening our leadership focus as we rally the team for stronger growth,” Medline said.

Effective immediately, Lyne Castonguay was appointed evp, Store Experience, responsible for store operations, distribution centers and thrilling customers across Empire’s conventional (non-Quebec) grocery banners nationally. Castonguay will continue to lead the Marketing team on an interim basis until a new head of the function is confirmed as Deirdre Horgan, Senior Vice President, Marketing, will not return to her role.

Pierre St-Laurent was appointed evp, Merchandising and Quebec. Luc L’Archeveque was appointed General Manager, Quebec, retaining his role as VP Grocery for the Quebec business. He will coordinate the day-to-day activities between Operations, Merchandising and Marketing of the Quebec business unit and will report to Pierre.

Mike Venton was appointed General Manager, Discount. Sarah Joyce was appointed Senior Vice President, e-commerce, effective June 25. She will have end-to-end accountability for Sobeys’ ecommerce strategy and the company’s ecommerce offer through its Ocado partnership. Jason Potter, who served as evp, Operations, is leaving Sobeys after a 26-year career with the company.