At COO (Boardroom Media) we track over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based COO’ operating in the Grocery space. If you think a COO’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on [email protected].
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Jared Yaman
Co-Founder, COO of Boxed
Prior to Blackgate Ventures, Jared was a corporate attorney at Proskauer before becoming a Co-Founder at Astro Ape Studios. Most recently, he was made upper level management at Zynga Mobile NY where he oversaw high profile mobile properties. Jared holds a J.D. from Fordham University and a Bachelor’s in Economics and Business from Michigan State University. Unbeknownst to most, Jared is actually Troy Aikman’s younger, stronger, better looking brother.
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About Blackgate Ventures, Boxed: Boxed is an online bulk grocery retailer used to offer wholesale club experience for modern shoppers.
Lori Flees
SVP and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart Health & Wellness of Walmart
Lori Flees is Senior Vice President, Next Gen Retail and Principal, Store No 8. In this role, Lori leads the incubation of new businesses (via Store No 8) and builds strategic partnerships that will help Walmart define, enable and win the next generation of retail. Lori is also responsible for our growth strategies and partnerships in digital media/entertainment (including day-to-day leadership of our VUDU platform) and in Health and Wellness in close collaboration with the Walmart US Stores leadership. Lori joined Walmart in 2014 as SVP, Corporate Strategy and had responsibility for Corporate Strategy, Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions and Integration (Acceleration). In this role, Lori worked with Walmart’s senior leadership to define the company’s priorities and align the organization to execute. This included an aggressive corporate development agenda which comprised the acquisition and integration of Jet.com, several additional eCom acquisitions, some International portfolio divestitures as well as key strategic or joint-venture partnership agreements in healthcare and supply chain. Prior to joining Walmart, Lori spent over 17 years at Bain & Company where she was a partner in the global strategy consulting firm. While at Bain, Lori worked with clients to develop growth strategies (organic and acquisitive) and to drive performance, improvement & organizational alignment. Prior to Bain, Lori held roles at Intel Corporation and General Motors. Lori has a bachelor’s degree in management systems from Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute) and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.
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About Walmart: Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that operates several chains of discount department and warehouse stores.
Jason Buechel
Chief Operating Officer of Whole Foods Market
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About Whole Foods Market: Whole Foods Market is a supermarket chain owned by Amazon that exclusively sells natural and organic products.
Susan Morris
EVP & Chief Operating Officer of Albertsons LLC
Susan began her career in Albertsons Denver Division while still in high school and worked her way up in the ranks proving her ability to lead, to execute and to bring teams together in one assignment after another in her 30+ years in the retail grocery business. Since March of 2015, Susan has led the Denver Division team after having successfully led our Boise-based Intermountain Division for the two prior years. Her career has spanned roles from Store Director to Corporate Grocery Sales Director, Vice President of Bakery and Operations and, upon the sale of Albertson’s Inc.’s assets to SUPERVALU, Vice President of Customer Satisfaction. In 2010, she was Senior Vice President of Sales and Merchandising when she left SUPERVALU to join Albertsons LLC’s Southwest Division as Grocery Sales Manager, and was appointed Vice President of Marketing & Merchandising in 2012. Susan was named EVP, East Operations in April 2016.
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About Albertsons Companies, Albertsons LLC: Albertsons is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale.
Jonathan Beckhardt
Chief Operating Officer of Salted
Jonathan Beckhardt is the Chief Operating Officer of Salted.
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About Salted: Salted is a platform for developing and scaling better-for-you, QSR brands.
Seth Yanofsky
Founder and COO of Tal Depot
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About Tal Depot: Tal Depot is an online grocer that sells snacks and drinks.