Wakefern Food Corp. on Wednesday announced that Elena Kabasinskas has joined as group vice president, strategy, planning and transformation. Kabasinskas will report to Michael Day, who has been promoted to senior vice president, strategy, business development and architecture.
As group vice president, Kabasinskas will oversee the business processes and change management efforts that accelerate strategies to help the cooperative with member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, the Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners meet customers’ evolving needs.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Elena to the Wakefern family,” Joe Sheridan, president, Wakefern Food Corp., said. “She will play an important role as we look to further fuel growth across our entire business. Her deep experience in process improvement and business transformation will be pivotal as we look internally to strengthen our own operations and meet the challenges presented by a new digital world.”
Prior to joining Wakefern, Kabasinskas spent more than a decade with the Estée Lauder Cos., last holding the position of senior vice president in the company’s Global Transformation Office and special projects. Under her purview, she led strategic initiatives that drove growth, efficiency and transformational change. Prior to that role, she served as senior vice president, strategy, finance and business services, North America Region, and led financial and business operations for the cosmetics company.
In his new role as senior vice president, Day will spearhead Wakefern’s strategic planning across a range of business units, with responsibility for maintaining oversight of key operations, including information technology, real estate, business development, member services and strategic transformation efforts.
Day joined Wakefern in 1999, holding a range of positions with the company, recently serving as group vice president, strategic planning, business development and retail services.
“Over his long, 23-year tenure with Wakefern, Michael’s leadership has proved to be instrumental in helping drive and steer our strategy and planning,” Sheridan added. “We’re grateful for his dedication to Wakefern and are looking forward to the impact that he will have in his new role as we improve and better serve our member companies and customers.”
