Kroger Appointed New Executives Throughout 2026
The company reshaped its C-suite leadership team to bolster its omnichannel operations and financial performance.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
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Throughout 2026, Kroger underwent significant leadership changes, including the appointment of several new executives to its C-suite. The company hired former Walmart employees to fill newly created roles aimed at improving retail operations.
Why it matters
Kroger sought to sharpen its omnichannel operations and improve financial performance by refreshing its top-level management team. The move reflects a broader effort to modernize store operations and digital integration.
Kroger established new C-suite roles for chief e-commerce officer and chief data and AI officer during 2026. These changes followed the retirement of senior vice president Valerie Jabbar in May 2026.
The players
Greg Foran
He is the chief executive officer of Kroger who assumed the top leadership position in February 2026.
Nate Faust
He serves as the chief e-commerce officer for Kroger, a newly created role within the company C-suite.
Milen Mahadevan
He acts as the chief data and AI officer for Kroger, responsible for overseeing the firm’s digital and technological strategy.
Mark Ibbotson
He serves as the chief store operations officer for Kroger after joining the company leadership in 2026.
Valerie Jabbar
She was the senior vice president of retail divisions for Kroger until her retirement in May 2026.
The details
Kroger added new talent to its leadership, including Nate Faust as chief e-commerce officer, Milen Mahadevan as chief data and AI officer, and Mark Ibbotson as chief store operations officer. The company also saw the exit of several senior leaders, including Jamie Lancaster, while former executives like Mike Goodwin and Joe Kelley transitioned into new roles within the industry.
Timeline
Greg Foran became CEO of Kroger in February 2026.
Valerie Jabbar and Jamie Lancaster departed the company in May 2026.
Kroger restructured its C-suite leadership throughout 2026.
Market Landscape
Kroger’s leadership overhaul follows the established industry trend of hiring former Walmart executives to drive digital transformation. This strategic shift positions the company to better compete in an increasingly omnichannel grocery market.
The changes in Kroger leadership aim to streamline the shopping experience and improve the efficiency of both digital and physical store services. Customers may eventually notice improvements in e-commerce functionality and data-driven personalization as these executives implement their strategies.
The takeaway
Large retail organizations often refresh their executive teams to adapt to shifting digital demands. Investors and consumers can watch how these leadership shifts translate into tangible changes in store operations and digital service reliability.
Further reading
Find more updates on industry leadership trends in the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Grocery Dive.
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