SpartanNash appoints new executive

Bennett Morgan. Courtesy SpartanNash

A Byron Center-based grocery retailer selected its new senior vice president and chief merchandising officer.

SpartanNash recently named Bennett Morgan to the position. He will report directly to company President and CEO Tony Sarsam.

Morgan previously served as fresh category leader at Amazon, where he helped launch the company’s grocery business, including opening physical Amazon stores nationwide. In his former position, Morgan oversaw a variety of store product categories, including produce and protein.

“SpartanNash continues to recruit top talent as part of our people-first strategy, and we are thrilled to welcome Bennett to the team,” Sarsam said. “Bennett will play a critical role in driving innovation for our customers and excellence with our in-store experience.”

Before working for Amazon, Morgan served as vice president of merchandising for Walmart China and Japan, where he managed all nonbuying portions of the merchandising organization. His work involved cost negotiations and data-led capabilities in assortment, pricing and promotions. Morgan also spent several years leading store operations, supply chain manufacturing and merchandising for grocery company H-E-B and brings prior experience from the Boston Consulting Group and Citibank.

He holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree from Dartmouth College.

Morgan’s appointment marks SpartanNash’s seventh addition to its leadership team since Sarsam joined the company in September 2020 and follows the promotion of Amy McClellan to senior vice president and chief marketing officer, as the Business Journal previously reported.