United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), a leading distributor of grocery and food products across North America, has announced a series of leadership changes aimed at strengthening execution, enhancing operational effectiveness, and advancing the company’s long-term value creation strategy. The updates are designed to better align UNFI’s leadership structure with its evolving business priorities, with a focus on delivering greater value for customers and suppliers while improving efficiency and financial performance.
The leadership changes will take effect beginning August 3, 2026, and are expected to help UNFI accelerate capability development, improve operational alignment, and continue building a stronger foundation for sustainable growth in a highly competitive food distribution marketplace.
As part of the restructuring, Matteo Tarditi has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, expanding his responsibilities across several critical areas of the business. In this role, Tarditi will oversee UNFI’s product sales organizations, enterprise customer relationships, supply chain operations, technology initiatives, and lean implementation efforts.
Tarditi previously served as President and Chief Financial Officer, where he played a key role in improving financial discipline, operational performance, and customer service capabilities. His experience leading financial transformation efforts and driving business improvements positions him to bring greater integration between sales, operations, and technology.
By combining these functions under a single leadership structure, UNFI expects to create stronger alignment between operational execution and the unique growth strategies of its customers. The company believes this approach will allow it to respond more effectively to changing market demands while supporting profitable growth opportunities for both customers and suppliers.
In addition to Tarditi’s expanded role, Louis Martin will transition into the position of Chief Commercial Officer. Martin will lead UNFI’s commercial strategy with a focus on expanding capabilities across conventional and natural merchandising, supplier partnerships, private brands, professional and digital services, and revenue growth management.
Over the past two years, Martin has led initiatives designed to strengthen UNFI’s commercial capabilities and create additional value for customers and suppliers. In his new role, he will continue developing programs, services, data-driven solutions, and market insights designed to help businesses differentiate themselves and achieve profitable growth.
UNFI emphasized that strengthening its commercial organization remains a key priority as the food distribution industry continues to evolve. Through enhanced supplier collaboration, improved merchandising strategies, and expanded digital capabilities, the company aims to provide customers with more tools and resources to compete effectively in today’s marketplace.
The company also announced that Alfredo Luchini will join UNFI as Chief Financial Officer beginning August 10, 2026. Luchini will be responsible for advancing UNFI’s financial objectives, supporting disciplined execution, improving financial performance, and creating long-term shareholder value.
Luchini joins UNFI with extensive financial leadership experience from complex global organizations. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Carrier Climate Solutions Americas, an $11 billion business segment of Carrier Global Corporation. During his tenure, he led financial operations and supported transformation initiatives, integration activities, and strategic planning efforts.
His background in financial management, business transformation, and global operations is expected to support UNFI’s continued focus on improving profitability, strengthening financial discipline, and delivering sustainable growth.
UNFI Chief Executive Officer Sandy Douglas highlighted the importance of the leadership changes and said the appointments reflect the company’s commitment to building a stronger organization for the future.
“These moves reflect the strength of our team and our commitment to aligning our leadership structure with the next chapter of UNFI’s value creation strategy,” Douglas said. “Matteo, Louis, and Alfredo each bring unique capabilities that will help us strengthen execution, create more value for our customers and suppliers, and continue building a more effective, efficient, and sustainable UNFI.”
The company also announced a planned leadership transition involving Mark Bushway, President of Natural, Organic, Specialty & Fresh Products and UNFI’s Chief Supply Chain Officer. Bushway will leave the company on January 1, 2027, following a transition period during which he will continue serving as Chief Supply Chain Officer and work closely with Tarditi to ensure continuity.
Bushway has spent 23 years with UNFI and has played an important role in strengthening the company’s supply chain operations and developing future leaders across the organization. His experience and contributions have helped shape UNFI’s distribution capabilities and operational infrastructure.
Douglas recognized Bushway’s long-standing commitment to the company and expressed appreciation for his leadership.
“Throughout Mark’s 23-year career at UNFI, he has strengthened our supply chain and taken great pride in developing strong leaders across our business,” Douglas said. “We thank Mark for his enduring contributions and look forward to continuing our journey to build UNFI’s next generation supply chain under Matteo’s leadership.”
Following the leadership updates, Tarditi, Martin, and Luchini will report directly to Douglas and become members of UNFI’s senior leadership team. They will work alongside other key executives, including Danielle Benedict, Chief Human Resources Officer; David Best, President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail; Mark Bushway, Chief Supply Chain Officer; Matt Echols, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer; Mahrukh Hussain, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and Mario Maffie, Chief Information Officer.
With these organizational changes, UNFI aims to strengthen collaboration across its commercial, operational, financial, and technology functions. The company believes the updated leadership structure will help accelerate strategic initiatives, improve customer and supplier partnerships, and position UNFI for continued success in the future of food distribution.
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